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Thanks for your thoughts @gloaming
I just got back from an hour at the gym doing abs and weight training, followed by a 2.5-mile walk with a hill hike showing 22 floors. At the age of 68, I'd like to think the EKG resting heart rate of 57 is due to my daily workouts. Since my BP was going low, then spiking, then kind of stabilizing around 144/82, my doctor prescribed the lowest dose of Licinopril, so I guess the inheritance finally caught up to me on that. My mom always had to control her BP, and my brother has been on the meds for at least 10 years, starting in his early 50's. I think my doctor is being way too cautious. She said she wants me to wear a heart monitor for some length of time - saying she'd like to be convinced I don't need a pacemaker... What?
Thanks again for your thoughts. I think I'm doing fine. I eat right, hydrate, don't smoke and my only vice is I like a couple of cocktails and wine now and then.
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@lauramks Copied liberally from verywellhealth's site:
When Should I Worry About Fluctuations?
If you experience inconsistent readings regularly, it could be due to a health issue. Labile hypertension is a condition in which blood pressure changes suddenly and varies significantly, going from normal to elevated in the same day or from reading to reading.
These fluctuations can indicate significant problems. For instance, studies have found that changes in blood pressure from one provider visit to the next are sometimes linked to a higher risk of heart disease and early death.9
The following are serious issues that can cause blood pressure fluctuations:
ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION: This condition affects the lining of blood vessels or is related to stiffness in the arteries. It's more common as people age.10
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The temporary cessation of breathing due to OSA leads to a spike in blood pressure that, over time, increases the risk of cardiovascular issues.11
KIDNEY DISEASE: High blood pressure is a leading cause of kidney disease, but the damage done to the kidneys from these disorders also raises your blood pressure because when the kidneys cannot remove excess fluid, it puts pressure on blood vessels and raises blood pressure.
ADRENAL GLAND DISORDERS: With adrenal gland disorders, your body may make too much aldosterone, cortisol, or hormones similar to adrenaline, which can cause high blood pressure.12
Blood pressure medications: Prescriptions to treat high blood pressure can actually cause dangerous blood pressure variations (BPV). For instance, short-acting drugs will not control blood pressure for an entire day, so your BP will begin to increase hours after taking the recommended dose. Calcium channel blockers may be most effective for avoiding BPV.13
Pheochromocytoma: This refers to a tumor in the adrenal gland that in rare instances can cause blood pressure changes.14 These tumors are usually not cancerous.