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How can normal blood pressure suddenly rise and stay on the high side
I am a 75-year-old female. I left an extremely stressful job in March. My nerves and my BP were frayed and high. However, my BP is fluctuating and staying on the higher side.
The BP ranges from 127/71 to 133/75. My doctor gave me a BP medication, but it caused side effects.
My doctor is driving me a little crazy and insists I have an at-home BP machine. The at-home BP machine instructions read: Don't eat or drink anything, and still completely still, feet flat on the floor, for at least 30 minutes before taking a reading." Sitting completely still is difficult.
The readings today started at 158/70 and ended at 133/75. Three or more readings are required. Two days ago, the reading started at 137/66 and ended at 127/70.
What is a serious BP? I'm really concerned and fear going back to the doctor.
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You didn’t mention anything about exercise. With a regular exercise routine like even walking, riding a stationary bike while watching TV, staying active — but not stressed over the course of the day your blood pressure should be normal. Yes, your blood pressure will fluctuate easier as you age, but if you want to stay healthy and fit without being on medicines (with side effects and consequences) then take a 20 minute walk every day. Being retired now, exercise or even deep breathing shouldbe a priority. I am 68 years old and there are a variety of things that raise my blood pressure. I agree with your doctor that you should have a home BP kit. I bought a $20 one from Amazon years ago. When the BP is high, I always think the machine is malfunctioning, but it’s not. I need to look at the salt in my diet, The exercise I may be lacking, the pain I may be experiencing (pain really raises my blood pressure) or the Dailystress. When I look at these things and I make the necessary changes, my BP always returns to 114/70. I am 68. In my opinion, leaving your blood pressure higher than your doctor recommends is a doorway for other problems. They always told me that 132/78 is just fine however, by the time I would be 132 I have insomnia, and I know I have to tweak something to bring it back down to 120.
@bajjerfan
I think most everybody’s blood pressure goes up a little when they have a doctor appointment. I know mine does, and my husband does.. If it’s on the high side in the doctors office, they always wait a few minutes and take it a second time and it’s always lower.
And on the other hand, my blood pressure is always on the low side so I have to be careful.
@ruth36 It's a well-known phenomenon called 'white coat syndrome'. Doctors know that a patient's in-office BP will read high. That is why the accepted practice, rarely followed, is to take three measurements spread over several minutes. This allows time for the patient to relax a bit, have an opportunity to be heard and to hear the doctor respond, and to become more comfortable and secure in the offices of an authority figure.