hist lst time in the day blood pressure reading

[hinaman]

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My blood pressure has been pretty well under control -- until the election. I got so high on what was going on that when I woke up one day I found my b.p. was sky-high, about 200/120 (about a day before the election).

Since then it hasn't reached that figure, but I still get a high b.p. reading when I take it for the first time (whether I take it in the morning or afternoon doesn't seem to make a difference). A typical reading is about 200/104

But then it very quickly drops; within 5 minutes or so it's down to around 170/92, and about ten minutes later it comes down to around 130/74; if I take it again later in the day it's still about that level. ( I check my b.p. about 3 times per week)

Anything here to be concerned about? My (amateur) diagnosis is that it's a kind of 'white-coat' hypertension the lst time I take my blood pressure (even tho' I'm at home), but of course I don't really know.

Thanks

[Encephalomalcia]

Wow!  As you know this is not good.  Make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.  Take your blood pressure morning, afternoon, and evening three times in a row and chart it to take to the doctor with you.  If you blood pressure is 150/100 lie down and rest.  You could very easily have a stroke.  

[jenny1970]

Wow! Yesterday, I was told I have HBP. My readings were 150 over 100. Can I actually have a stroke? I've never been told I had HBP until yesterday. I've had tingling, pain, etc., for months now, off & on. They're doing more testing on me in 2 weeks.

[jenny1970]

oops! My comment was supposed to be directed to you to begin with! My reading was 150 over 100 yesterday. That means I could have a stroke?!

[hinaman]

I'm a bit confused as to which post is addressed to whom! Let me rephrase my question. My FIRST reading of the day is usually high -- about 200/104.

However - it comes down within minutes to normal and remains that way for the rest of the day.

Could someone address BOTH of these issues -- that my initial reading is high AND that it drops to normal. Could this be a kind of 'white coat' hypertension even though I'm taking my b.p. at home?

Also, I've been told that it's the AVERAGE of the daily readings which is important -- not just the lst one alone...is this true?

Please help

[mitraldoc]

I have to correct all the misinformation posted here. First hinamin's situation  is an obvious case of "white-coat hypertension" without the white coat, just as the poster suggests. If the poster is indeed telling the truth that his pressure drops to normal levels within minutes, this is classic home "white coat hypertension."This phenom has been growing over the years with the advent of home blood pressure monitors. I see it fairly often with my patients. Of course he SHOULD see his physician anyway but the alarmist attitudes posted here are misleading ab best, given the poster's description of his pressure changes

Secondly a pressure reading of 150/100, although nothing to be proud of, is not near stroke zone. You enter the danger zone only with malignant hypertension, most especially with a diastolic pressure over 120.  But again -- of course the pressure is too high and this patient should see her doctor right away to check on it.