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Very high BP reading and very scared
I've been tracking my BP with a Omicron, new batteries, I slide into the cuff (very petite person) but it inflates/deflates fine and it gives me accurate readings. I've been tracking it because I have a semiannual visit in ten days with my cardiologist who's at a teaching hospital an hour away, not exactly convenient and a stressful drive. Last few times, my BP has been elevated, he calls it "reactive", has not changed my meds because at home it's fine.
Well yesterday I went to a musculo-skeletal specialist to figure out a on again/off again muscle problem in the shoulder blade and the woman who took me into the exam room slapped the cuff on me (same exact machine I have) and squeezed my arm so tight I thought it was going to fall off. Reading was 185/101, minute later 169/85 or something like that. I freaked out. WHY DOES THESE PEOPLE TAKE YOUR BP THE SECOND YOU ENTER THE EXAM ROOM? She had me rushing all over the place after her and it was like taking a reading after getting off a treadmill. I'm a very healthy 73 exercised my whole life stopped in 2017 after being thrown from my horse while cantering (physical therapy for months).
At home my numbers since 3/18, I take BP around 10-11am and 8-9pm, have been absolute normal (in the teens like 117/69 during the day, evening the lowest was 99/64 at 8:30pm). So when I got home I took my BP obviously. First readying was 149/84, one minute later was 121/73, HR normal about 70. Last night it was 115/69 at 8:30pm.
I'M FREAKING OUT NOW because they called me at home and told me to see my PCP. I know it's going to be sky high because I'm terrified. I did call the cardiologist's office yesterday (Friday 3/24) but he was in another hospital, woman took a long message, he never called me back. This doctor pays attention so he either didn't get the message or he isn't worried by this since it came down fast and at home was normal.
Meanwhile I have now convinced myself that I'm going to have a stroke and lie here in this apartment and die because I have no intention of ever going into any nursing home, I'd rather be dead. I'm so paranoid right now I'm actually in bed. I took my BP this morning about 6am and it was 150/85 came down to 135/77 in two minutes.
HELP!!!!! What can I do? I've been taking BP meds since my late 40s, there was one other time where it went sky high after I decided not to take any more Xanax, had bad withdrawal, elevated BP stayed that way for months then came back down. I'M TERRIFIED. I don't know what the cardiologist will do, last time he didn't change my meds, should I find another one? I'M REALLY SCARED.
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You go to that old chestnut, "the overweight person." I lived with two of them and got very tired of being told to eat more because I looked too thin. I've never been overweight. If something applied to your body makes you feel like crying or screaming, then there's something wrong with what's being applied to your body. I think "White Coat fear" has far more weight than any "science" re hypertension.
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1 ReactionYou are stressed out. I read it in your post. STOP and RELAX. Breathe DEEP and regular. Go for a walk before you enter the exam room and BREATHE regular. I too, have reactive BP!
I ALWAYS have my BP taken 2 times! (maybe 3!) and we do it on different arms and if it is high. I breath deep in the office and elevate my arm and all the rest. ANXIETY makes it high. Pain makes it high. Worry makes it high. Your last paragraph says it all. you are having reactive anxiety.
If you are taking it at home and you are good to go, then it is your anxiety or rushing to get to the doctors office. Take a chill pill and don't worry (I only mean that figuratively!) Chill out. Some of us are like that. The littlest things send our BP surging. What that is telling you is that you are having DAMAGING anxiety. So breathe deep and be COGNIZANT of what gives you stress and anxiety so you can manage yourself into a more stable health. Consider taking up yoga. It's all in the breathing. Taking deeper breaths. More regular breathing. I've trained myself. Even while I write this to you, I am internally reminding myself to breathe deep. I have it too! "Don't worry about it" -- that isn't a dismissive statement -- that is literally telling you to STOP WORRYING so much. (that is "reactive " behavior) and so your mental is causing your physical. I walk twice a day to take the "worry" and reactive behavior down a notch. I did learn yoga and practice deep breathing. But life gets away from me and I STILL get anxiety. But when I am AWARE I calm myself down. Your natural state of existence wants to be more relaxed. Take a look at your stressors. You are welcome. 😉
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1 ReactionThere used to be a world when people lived with no numbers, no tests, and little use of medications.
What they had a lot of, all around them, even in darkness, was life. They knew HOW To LIVE LIFE. The enchanted life surrounded them and they were immersed in it. The Spell of the Sensuous by David Abram is one such book.
At 82, I think it is such connection with nature that we are immersed in that has helped me stay all my life without needing numbers, or medications, or tests, or surgeries (yes I cud use one for my right eye cataract) avoided repeated reminders for colonoscopy in my seventies, no supplements or special foods, or disabilities except reduced physical abilities but able to walk with heavy loads of groceries thru subways and buses and then walk up even a few More floors Above my apt level for the possibility of connecting with what my top physical exertion level Feels like. Of course our bodies need moving -- the baby we were would have festered on its back if nature had not stuffed us with inexhaustible supply with impetus to move and discover nature we are in.
I eat simple, mostly plant-based tasty foods, starting my day with two tall glasses of water. Do different kinds of simple physical movements to be optimally strong and limber. I get to sleep well Because knowing I did use my time as usefully -- Purposefully -- as was possible, knowing what I NEED to do the Next day. It's my Purposeful life that I know will help OTHERS that mostly helps me stay in healthy state that is the driver, the engine, that spurs me most to live a most functioning bodymind.
I do not think without 'purpose' I could've lived as fully, engagingly, as I do, though there is One area that I miss a lot but cannot control all by Myself but need others: Friendships.
Yes there are others who think the same way: Patrick Hill, (fellow) psychologist, at Wash state Univ at St Louis says forget new year resolutions, find purpose in your life to lose weight. There are studies out of Harvard Univ and others supporting this connection.
I look forward to the life you Want to have.