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Neurology (Expert Forum)
blood pressure
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blood pressure
by Carol55, Feb 15, 2001 12:00AM
Dear Doctor,
I hope I am posting to the right forum. I have a question I've never seen on the forum before. Dealing with blood pressure. What is a normal blood pressure reading? The reason I ask is I have anxiety/panic terribly. When I go to the doctor I am so nervous inside, really, but my reading is always 120/70. It never changes, I swear in the past 6 yrs. But, at home, when i do my own readings, it's usually 90/60. And has remained like that for the past 5 yrs. Both my dad and aunt had hypotension. Lately, I've started Zoloft, for this anxiety. A low dose, 25 mgs. I've notice my readings have dropped even more. Like 90/50. 80/50. Could it be this medicine? I hate to stop it, as it's had a very calming affect. But could this be the reason I'm a little light headed at times? And since I do have such low readings at home, but highter at doctor's office, does that mean I'm leaning towards hypertension, which my mother had. When is a reading too low that it should be checked into further? I am a healthy 45 yr old female. No smoking/drinking. Thank you for your time. And I apologize for the length of this! The service this forum provides is excellent.
jane
I hope I am posting to the right forum. I have a question I've never seen on the forum before. Dealing with blood pressure. What is a normal blood pressure reading? The reason I ask is I have anxiety/panic terribly. When I go to the doctor I am so nervous inside, really, but my reading is always 120/70. It never changes, I swear in the past 6 yrs. But, at home, when i do my own readings, it's usually 90/60. And has remained like that for the past 5 yrs. Both my dad and aunt had hypotension. Lately, I've started Zoloft, for this anxiety. A low dose, 25 mgs. I've notice my readings have dropped even more. Like 90/50. 80/50. Could it be this medicine? I hate to stop it, as it's had a very calming affect. But could this be the reason I'm a little light headed at times? And since I do have such low readings at home, but highter at doctor's office, does that mean I'm leaning towards hypertension, which my mother had. When is a reading too low that it should be checked into further? I am a healthy 45 yr old female. No smoking/drinking. Thank you for your time. And I apologize for the length of this! The service this forum provides is excellent.
jane
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS, Feb 15, 2001 12:00AM
Dear Jane:
You probably want the cardiology site. But the literature tell us that 140 systolic and 90 diastolic is high blood pressure. Thus, yours is lower than that and subsequently not high blood pressure. Low blood pressure can cause light-headedness, especially when you stand up quickly. Yes, anxiety can raise blood pressure and this is what is likely happening at the doctor's office. This is very common. I am not sure what sort of machine your using at home so I can't comment on your blood pressure at home. Your body should adapt to the medication and preserve the normal blood pressure you have. You should talk to your family physician and let him/her know about your worries and home blood pressure readings.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
You probably want the cardiology site. But the literature tell us that 140 systolic and 90 diastolic is high blood pressure. Thus, yours is lower than that and subsequently not high blood pressure. Low blood pressure can cause light-headedness, especially when you stand up quickly. Yes, anxiety can raise blood pressure and this is what is likely happening at the doctor's office. This is very common. I am not sure what sort of machine your using at home so I can't comment on your blood pressure at home. Your body should adapt to the medication and preserve the normal blood pressure you have. You should talk to your family physician and let him/her know about your worries and home blood pressure readings.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Sincerely
Jane