One last BP question

Posted by Nancy on July 17, 1999 at 10:12:02
Sorry, Guys, but one last thing (is that what I said last time?). I had my cardiolite stress test yesterday.  As I said previously, my BP over the years has been approximately 124/78 but then I did not need to go to the Dr. very often till last year.  Then last year, I went to the Dr. several times for various things and my BP seemed to be going up:  130/80, 140/80 and 150/90 a couple of times.  In between, at the allergist's office and right before my endoscopy, it was low, 110/70, but I discounted those as flukes.
At the cardiologist's 10 days ago, it was 140/100 (I was there for an interpretation of Holter monitor results-benign), and he wanted to evaluate my BP when exercising, so he ordered the stress test.  Well, the stress test went great and I'm cleared to start my exercise and weight loss program.  However, my concern was my BP-it was SO low.  Lying down it was 100/50-I said it had never been that low before.  She re-did it and it was 100/52.  I had to sit in the chair and wait 40min for the Dr. to show up and sitting, it was 100/57.  During the test, it was never over 120/67.  What gives?  
My concern is that the BP wasn't correct and that was the reason I was having it done.  When I had it done last year, they had an automatic BP cuff, but this was a woman trying her darndest to do it while I was trying my darndest to not get thrown off the treadmill!  I asked the cardiologist about it at the end, and he seemed to say "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth".  Am I wrong to question the results?
I have been watching my diet, no caffeine, 2400 mg sodium/day and more exercise than usual, tho not much by most people's standards.  Could that have helped in 10 days?  But isn't 50 kind of low?  The technician told me she was not the regular technician but a respiratory technician.  However, she usually does fill in for her when she's gone.  If she was doing it wrong, she was doing it wrong consistently or the cuff was malfunctioning consistently.  Also, since I'm obese (220lb) could the cuff have been too small? and would that tend to give a false low evaluation?
Any thoughts?     Thanks!

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD JMF on July 19, 1999 at 07:48:01
Dear Nancy,
Sometimes we can see variation in PB particularly if you are in different positions ( standing vs. sitting vs lying flat), with fasting and at different times of the day and in response to stress.  In general, your blood pressure is normal although some of your readings are considered moderately elevated.  
I would suggest keeping a close eye on your BP and losing weight.  Simple weight reduction often lowers BP.  Each pound of weight your heart must provide nutrients to is millions of capillaries.
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