high blood pressure/pulse

[ckaa990507]

I had my first endo appt 10 days ago, and am waiting for bloodwork/urine  follow up appt on 2/23.  My blood pressure has been creeping up since I delivered my 2nd child 2 years ago, and when I was in the office it was 156/90 both at the beginning and end of the appt.  She found that my thyroid is enlarged, and was concerned about my blood pressure rising, but wanted to wait until all the tests were returned before considering which medications were appropirate. I think she said she was checking the adrenal system-I think?? Still new to all this so bear with me.

she had recommended either coming into the office periodically for a bp check, or to purchase an at home cuff, which is what I did.  My readings at home are kinda all over the place(I think it depends on how much craziness my kids are into at that moment:), but most noteable was tonight.  I felt like my heart was just going to beat right out of my chest and felt out of breath(which is one of the symptoms I've told her) and my bp was 148/87 pulse was 100.  The bp was where it had been some other times, but the pulse is normally around 75-85.  I was not doing anything but packing a lunch for my hubby.  

I guess I really don't know if this is related or not, she said some of my symptoms of hypo overlapped with other things, such has having pre-eclampsia with my 1st pregnancy, and also having mitral valve prolapse.  It just seems it has gotten much worse recently, just as I noticed the other symptoms of hypo.

Anyone else have symptoms like this?  Any words of wisdom?

[Nelly57]

I have "white coat syndrome" and also check my BP at home.  It's always MUCH better at home than in a doctor's office.  Also, the previous poster is correct, they come and get you in the waiting room, usher you back to the exam room and immediately take your blood pressure as soon as you sit down.  It's crazy.  I always take my home numbers from the previous week with me to the dr. office so they can see my actual blood pressure.  Also, my former doctor told me to never check it first thing in the morning, he said BP is always higher then.  He also said to rest for 15 minutes before checking it.  Hope this helps.

[goolarra]

My experience is that BP can be a tricky thing, both in the doctor's office and at home.  Many of us, including me and my husband, have "white coat syndrome" (yes, there's really a name for it), and the minute we see a BP cuff coming at us, our BP goes up!  We purchased a home monitor for the same reason.

My readings are all over the place, too.  After experimenting with the home monitor, I find that my BP tends to be higher early in the day and tapers off as the day (and my responsibilities) taper off.  And, you're right, it has a lot to do with what's going on at the moment.  

Just a few things to keep in mind...You are supposed to sit quietly for 15 minutes before taking BP, if you want to see a resting BP (easier said than done in a house full of kids).  No eating or drinking during this time.  Sit comfortably, with feet flat on the floor, and make sure the arm that has the cuff on it is supported at elbow level (chair arm, table).  Keep breathing.  I also find that the more I check my BP, the more I get used to having it done, and the lower it gets.  My morning BP can be 120/80...by evening it's often 80-something/50-something.  You kind of have to know what to expect out of certain times of the day.

I see M.A.s in doctors offices screwing this up all the time.  First they keep you waiting for an hour, then they shuffle you into the inner office, then without giving you two seconds to sit, they proceed to take you BP, and expect you to hold your arm out, unsupported.  

Anyway, experiment with your BP monitor so you know what to expect at different times of day and so you get used to doing it.  Keep a log.  You can get your sitting quietly for 15 minutes at the computer, your desk, in front of the TV.  Being in the doctor's office is often an anxiety-provoking situation.  You might be really surprised how different it is at home.

[blsdnsvd]

I had a TT in december and i just posted on board yesterday pertaining to "fast" heartrate and high blood pressure. I have been on bp med's for about 4-5 years now and my pressure fluctuate's min by min....I was relaxing yesterday and stood up to walk to another room and i felt my heart beating extremely fast and i felt my pulse...(it was faster than a baby's heart beat) and of course i got nervous because it was out of the blue. I took some deep breaths and finally it slowed down. ON my way home, i stopped at a local pharmacy and checked my pressure..It was 186/112 (wow)...so i took it three more times and the lowest was "161/86" (much better)..I am going to see my gp today to possible switch my med's.......I also have mitral valve prolapse which causes my "heart murmur" that some doc's hear and other's don't.....

I suggest that you keep monitoring your bp and also your pulse becuse i know that it can be scary. I'm sure that my doc will probably do a ekg when i tell her about the "fast" rate. I too have kids and it can be very stressful at times and will definitely cause the raising of the bp but being hypothyroid can cause the heart palps and fast heart rate as well. Be well and God Bless you.