Should I be on medication

[rabbit11]

I'm 37 5,10 and 76kilos. I'm not overweight, eat well and execise moderatly to hard 3 to 5 times a week. My family history on both sides is low BP
I work in a field that requires me to have my bp taken a couple of times a year. It can be around 150 0n 90. As a result I was checked out by a doctor did the whole 24hr test and he said i was borderline and appeared to suffer from the old white coat syndrome.
As a result I purchased my own bp monitoring device.
It appears that regardless of what i'm doing or when i take it the 1st reading will be around 145/150 on 85/90. Straight away i'll take anothe reading and it will be 145/138 on 88/85. then straight away i'll take another reading and it will be likely 136/122/ on 70/80.
Now this happens if I just walk in sit down and take it or even if i've been sitting there for 10 mins, even if i'm standing still.
Getting on bp meds could cost me my job. I feel as soon as I hear the machine start my bp goes up as a response. even on the automatic 24hr machine. But it appears to come back down straight away. Do they have a 24hr test that does 3 consecutive tests every hour?
My last annual physical my doctor thought i was super fit and my bp was 110 on 60. 3 weeks later on the job the medic said it was high but blamed the machine and i got through????????
any help would be great.

[maggiemag]

Hi Rabbit.  Do you take the consecutive BP's immediately after the previous?   If so, I don't think they are accurate.  There is a recommended amount of time you are supposed to wait, although I can't remember how long, sorry!  I bet Tony could find out though, hmm Tony?  I certainly understand how you don't want to jepardize (sp) your job.

[va_tony]

From the Omron Blood Pressure Monitor FAQ sheet:

"Taking a blood pressure measurement constricts the arteries. Waiting between readings allows the arteries to return to the condition prior to taking the blood pressure measurement. We generally recommend you wait five minutes between readings. You may need to increase the wait time depending on your individual physical characteristics."

[rabbit11]

wouldn't restricting the arteries cause the readings to increase? Mine drop....Am I just goig through the denial that every healthy person does??? How this can be happening to me????

[va_tony]

Yes, you're probably correct. Restricting the arteries would cause the readings to increase. If yours go down, it simply confirms that you likely have "white coat syndrome".  Also, don't be alarmed by an occasional high reading.  BP varies during the day.  It should be taken when you have been at rest awhile and at the same time daily.

I can't think of many jobs requiring frequent blood pressure test --- are you a pilot, boxer,in the military???

[rabbit11]

[rabbit11]

I work as a diver offshore. I've been told by a diving doctor that it's perfectly safe to take bp medication whilst under pressure. However when i speak to the medics you have to disclose any medication your taking. That has to be approved in head office in another country by the company doctor who's never met me. As a result in these days of litigation it's a much safer option legally to just get another diver?
So I either lie and don't tell them? But I'm not on them yet either, I'm still passing medicals some times with flying colours other times just scraping through. I think it's white coat but I'm probably doing what everyone does.
When do you bite the bullet and just go on bp medication? I mean I'm getting readings of 150/90 but 5 mins later I'm 128/75.
I also realise that my highest readings seem to be when the medic takes them. I'm under stress as if it's found to be to high I won't be on the job. This obviously then directly affects my family as I pay the bills.
But by the same token with the current readings i'm getting am i doing damage to myself? Or am i only slightly high and not doing damage yet and better to just monitor it? The more i stress about it the higher it is next time i'm on the job???