Blood pressure

Maryrose Did you just do one reading or several?
My doctor told me not to worry about one high reading - just sit down for 15 minutes and take it again and usually it will be lower.

I find mine is on the high side when I’m inactive, after a walk or housework or gardening it’s a lot lower, so I take mine after exercise.

You need to sit and relax for 15 mins and do readings from both arms that’s what my DH is doing this week.

I was advised to do mine three times a day for several days; that way the clinician can identify a mean average rather than a one off reading that may have been heightened by anxiety.

I take two readings in the morning and two readings in the evening, after I’ve had a sit down and relax, and I record the lower ones. After a week I calculate the average am and pm and report to the GP. I get much lower readings that those I get in the surgery.

I do my every year for 7 days, morning and afternoon, average of 3 readings each time, as advised by my GP.

My blood pressure is always much lower after exercise which I was quite surprised at.

I have a heart condition and when checking bp for my GP it had to be taken twice in the morning, then twice in the evening over a seven day period, with comments made if it was high or low. Taking it once probably isn’t a true reading so you may want to do it more frequently and then calculate an average. bloodpressureuk.org is a good source of information and shows you how to record at home. Best of luck x

I did take it more than once, and while resting. Have kept a record of all readings too. Will give it a try after exercise as suggested. Thanks for your comments.

I brought a monitor a few weeks ago ,and also form filling by hand for my surgery .
Anyway , the form filling stated 14 readings over 7 days , on having my appointment with a blood test, the health care assistant looked at the total figure I gave ,saying to me some of the monitors you buy are not all accurate , result of MoT was the top line reading should be between 130/140 which they take as a standard as to health .
Mick

You can also take your own Bp monitor to your Health Centre to have it calibrated.

I have often thought about buying a monitor but there are so many to choose from - do GNs have any recommendations for the easiest and most accurate?

Few months back I had to keep details of twice daily bp readings for a fortnight, and the return that form to my Pracice Nurse. The form actually asked for TWO readings both morning and evening. Nearly always, the second reading taken about five minutes after the first was considerbly lower.

This went over the day when I had my second vaccination. BP was higher that evening - so I put a note on the reason on the form.

I had a 24 hour monitor about 18 months ago. I didn't expect to sleep through the bleeping, but I did! I'm now taking amlodipine which gives me hot flushes and slightly puffy ankles.

I think the latest advice is what jaxjacky said.

Silvergirl, I took a reading after a brisk 40 minute walk and it was noticeably lower. Even did it again to check.

Maryrose I hope your blood pressure settles, if not you may need to take a blood pressure lowering medication.
I have been taking such a medication for at least ten years now, the same dose all this time, which kept it regular.
Recently I was checking it for a medication review but found I was having low readings. One evening I was feeling dizzy and faint so next morning I didn't take my medication as I knew I'd be on the floor if I did. Later in the day I spoke to my GP who prescribed a half dose of what I was taking.
I wondered what had caused this and the only thing I can think of is that I've not been eating any sugars for about a month, so am pleased if my theory is correct.
Old woman, I would recommend Omron blood pressure machine, it is very simple and easy to use. This brand is commonly used in GP surgeries, and is accurate as far as I'm aware.

I was told to sit quietly for a few minutes as others have advised. Also I thought it had to be close to 120/80 but my doctor is happy enough with the first readjng being 134.
Sometimes my monitor starts going down then stops and goes higher again iykwim. Is this ok? I usually stop it and wait a few minutes and try again? I bought a new one but it does the same thing.

I was advised feet flat on the floor, wait a while before doing three readings at five min intervals. No talking. No food or drink before taking it. I haven’t tried the after activity reading. I will do as curious.

Maryrose just saw your post, glad to hear your brisk walk did the trick!
It seems our diet and exercise are such important factors.

My GP always asks me for 3 readings, morning and evening. I have to have my arm resting on a pillow, feet flat on the floor and not chatting to anyone. I never take my readings too soon after eating or rushing around. For those of us with arrhythmia, any reading taken during an episode of irregular heartbeat won't be accurate.

Annodomini I get the hot flushes with the amlodipine (prescribed by a consultant) but it has been excellent in lowering my long standing high BP.

My blood pressure is up and down like a yoyo because I have hypertension.
It can be 170/ 90 in the morning and drop to 75/55 in the evening like it did yesterday.
I also have a pacemaker.

I take Valsarten and Amlodipine for it.