How much theoretically could a messed up sleep schedule affect my Bp?

Posted by ehdog @ehdog, 20 hours ago

I accidentally messed up my sleep schedule so I worry I will be very sleep deprived on the 19th when I have my appointment. I'm scared because Id need to get my BP taken and I'm worried it will be super high. How much could it theoretically even affect it?

I take beetroot and amlodipine everyday to keep it down btw . Usually I'm about 115/84 but the last time I took it I was 111/80

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart & Blood Health Support Group.

I wouldn’t expect anything extreme, probably somewhere around 125/85. I usually recommend a little extra beetroot for people who get anxious before appointments. You could have a bit more, just be careful if you’re using capsules. Drinking beetroot juice or eating some beetroot works well too.

Here are some things that can help:
Try deep or box breathing while you wait: inhale 4 seconds, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4, repeat a few times.

Sit quietly for a few minutes before the reading, with your back supported and feet flat.

Use visual grounding: focus on something neutral in the room or a calming image instead of the number.

Stick to your usual routine with meds and beetroot so your body stays on its normal rhythm.

REPLY
Profile picture for Oranges @ashlynnmae

I wouldn’t expect anything extreme, probably somewhere around 125/85. I usually recommend a little extra beetroot for people who get anxious before appointments. You could have a bit more, just be careful if you’re using capsules. Drinking beetroot juice or eating some beetroot works well too.

Here are some things that can help:
Try deep or box breathing while you wait: inhale 4 seconds, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4, repeat a few times.

Sit quietly for a few minutes before the reading, with your back supported and feet flat.

Use visual grounding: focus on something neutral in the room or a calming image instead of the number.

Stick to your usual routine with meds and beetroot so your body stays on its normal rhythm.

Jump to this post

@ashlynnmae

Is 150/?? Normal for anxiety? I feel like I was barely even anxious. Last time I was at a doctor's office it was that high so I guess I'm just worried.

REPLY
Profile picture for ehdog @ehdog

@ashlynnmae

Is 150/?? Normal for anxiety? I feel like I was barely even anxious. Last time I was at a doctor's office it was that high so I guess I'm just worried.

Jump to this post

@ehdog

You’d be surprised how high blood pressure can get even with mild anxiety. I’ve seen people hit 180 systolic while saying they weren’t very anxious, but by the time they’re home, it’s back to their usual.

The starting number isn’t what matters, what matters is whether it comes down. Did it drop? Did it return to normal once you were at home?

REPLY

Keep in mind, BP isn't steady-state. It fluctuates constantly throughout the day, subject to many factors.

Too bad there isn't some long-term indicator, like A1c for diabetics.

REPLY

Several nights in a row of significant sleep deprivation, say going three-five nights with as little as 4 hours of quality sleep, might....might...get you up a few points. Depends on your base state, but say you've been around 124/78 or something close to that. You go several days burning the candle at both ends, you might see a spike of about 5 points. Note that a single measurement, any time, is not going to be as veridical as taking three of them over ten minutes, resting, no caffeine in the past three/four hours, and averaging....sum the numbers and divide by the number of measurements taken, three in this case.

REPLY

Take your blood pressure everyday that way you will know. Relax before you take your blood pressure and I think it will be different.
That is what I do.. when I was in hospital mine went up nurse kept saying I had high blood pressure. I kept saying no. I’m stressed due to the surgery. When I was leaving the last time, blood pressure was taken it dropped about 30 points. Then she said, I guess you’re right

REPLY

Your ongoing BP is very good. I would never (my opinion) worry about one reading. As one poster mentioned your BP is not static. It goes up and down through out day. Stress and anxiety can really affect it and I think you worrying would cause it to rise more than the influence in a one night sleep.

But how drowsy and uncomfortable do you feel with the sleep disruption. Only you know that. Let the person know your apprehension and why.

I use a technique I learned in Yoga. At end of session we would put in our minds (eyes closed) and find a setting we found relaxing. Mine was sitting on the beach watching waves roll in. We learned to put our forefinger on our thumb and bring the scene into our minds. Then we would do yoga deep breathing in through stomach and breath out through pursed lips.

I do that anytime I feel anxious in doctors office or other settings where I feel stress and anxiety.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.