Re: Blood Pressure Variance

Posted By Mickie on May 07, 1999 at 11:34:43
over the years,  since I was 30, I've been diagnosed with high blood pressure.  It appears to me to be stress related, as in, I under go major stress, my bp goes up, I take medications, it goes down, then goes too low, medication is reduced or canceled, I'm monitored for several months, then nothing more for another few years.  
I was recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, and again, high blood pressure, however this time, it's NOT consistant...  even with medications it varies horrible and I've tried two different medications.  
My question, can muscle tension alter the blood pressure readings??  I have found in recent months, that the blood pressure cuff really causes me some pain when inflated, and I tense my muscles (especially in the that has the cuff on it.  I've had as much as 50 points different in either or both systolid and diastolic readings within a matter of 3-4 minutes.)  This is basically an unconscience action and I don't always notice myself tensing up; it was ONLY a week ago I realized how much pain is associated with the bp cuff.  I TRY to relax, and can, sometimes have a normal reading, other times it's really weird such as 150/140 (when I've managed to relax at the begining of the reading, but tense up during.)  
My dr is at a loss to explain my bp variance, but, says muscle tension can't alter the reading.  I find that hard to believe.  Your opinion??

[Mickie__0]

Posted By Mickie on May 07, 1999 at 11:38:44
I should have mentioned, I'm a 48 year old female.  Sorry for leaving that out.










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Blood Pressure Variance CCF CARDIO MD - DLB 5/09/1999
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