Blood Pressure Phobia

Experienced NotOld

That's seriously impressive. Congratulations. ?

It isn't anxiety with me - what is there to be anxious about in measuring blood pressure? If it proves to be very high or very low, that is when to worry.

What I find unpleasant is the pain of the way it clutches my arm and even that is bearable if I I have a distraction and am not sitting waiting for it.

I get anxious as to whether the cuff and my arm are in the correct position, that produces variable readings. My first readings are always high but after I've sat for 15 minutes generally in acceptable range.

I'm really surprised at how many people become anxious about taking their BP. This is an eye opener for me.

I'm not in the least phased by taking my BP, it's just part of my daily routine. Sometimes I do get a bit fed up having to check it twice daily, but I know it is a necessity.

I hope those who are anxious manage to overcome their anxiety.

KatyK can you have it checked at the chemists? But I never had headaches due to BP even last year when I ended in hospital!

Yes BlueSky I seem to have developed a phobia. I have been on BP meds for over 15 years. All has been fine. Then last year, after some very stressful events in my life, I took it and it was a bit high. For some reason I panicked. It was going off the scale and I was scared. I went to my GP and it was off the scale again. She didn't seem concerned. She said 'go home and forget about it.' Easier said than done. I am now suffering with tension headaches and am convinced it's my BP by won't take it.

KatyK I remember you saying something about a phobia of BP monitors! Last night it was ridiculous, I tought that maybe I had been taking it wrong all the past week when I had been so smug about my readings. So by the time I tried it again it was indeed up and so was my heart rate! I then left it alone till much later when I'd calmed down and thankfully it was back in the normal range. I need to take it to provide my GP with two weeks' reading before my annual medication review.

IMV, unless you have a doctor's appointment for any other medical reason, BP readings should be actioned and recorded by a non- medic at surgeries.

Sara

I was medicated for high blood pressure and was pre-diabetic, largely due to being overweight. After completely overhauling our diet I’m now off the medication completely and my blood sugar is in the normal range. We’ve both lost a lot of weight (over 4st in my case) and sleep better, think more clearly, are fitter, ache less and seem to shrug of bugs.

Home medics. Anyone can turn into a quivering wreck if they continuously take and re-take their BP, anxious that the first wasn't correct.
It used to be that Lloyd's pharmacy would allow walk-ins and do two readings for you on the same visit.
They asked you to be still and calm, not having rushed about before the visit and gave you a form afterwards on which your name address phone number height weight age and 2 BP readings were recorded.
Not enough staff now so that's all stopped.
A friend used to go there monthly instead of her doctor as she had no ailments.

It's not surprising, for those who have been issued with monitors to take their own BP, to read a higher level the second time, however, it could become a self-defeating action.

KatyK

You have made me feel better as well!

You've all made me feel better (as usual) and that it's not just me.

Sara65 I could have written your post! I have a terrible fear of the BP machine. If I even hear the words blood pressure, I go to pieces. Ridiculous but I can't help it.

Icheck my BP every day for a week at home before my GP appointment, because as soon as I walk into the Surgery I develop "white coat syndrome".

I had pre eclampsia with both my children and I think that triggered off a bit of a phobia about blood pressure. I'm always ridiculously high whenever I'm in a GP's surgery and he knows this now. (I have no idea why he takes it!) I have a notebook app on my phone which I record my BP at home on random occassions and they are always absolutely fine. But I always take my BP when I've been sitting watching tv or relaxing with a book. I show this to the GP if I ever visit and he seems happy with that. I don't think anyone is ever put on BP medication on the strength of readings from a couple of GP visits. My sister had a BP machine she took home with her from the GP and had to wear it for about 48 hours. The readings were available for the GP to review. It must be in our genes, as hers was relatively normal when at home, so wasn't prescribed any medication at this point. I took my monitor to the local branch of Lloyds chemist once as I was convinced it wasnt giving accurate readings. The assistant was so kind and took her own BP using my monitor and the shop one and they were literally the same. Maybe trying something that might put your mind at rest BlueSky

It’s a relief to read this thread and realise I’m not alone. I’ve given up taking my BP at home. Due for a check up with my new GP, and already nervous about the BP!

I have had high readings in the doctors and hospital but at home totally in the normal range
As soon as it start tightening I stress I can feel my mind thinking what if it doesn’t stop but at home I ve just got into the habit of shutting my eyes and taking some breaths count six in six out and it seems to work so guess I ve got white coat syndrome too

A bit like Elegran, I have to use distraction. I sit in a chair outside or indoors in the window with the sun on my face. I have the cuff already fitted and when I feel myself almost nodding off I hit the button. In any other circumstances my readings are high.

elegran has given good advice. My DH has high (very) BP and he has been told when using his home BP monitor to sit quietly for at least 15 minutes before taking it. To have your arm at the right angle and relax whilst the reading takes place. He also takes 5 separate readings and records the average of the five as being more accurate than any one reading.
Others are right, thinking about it will make it worse. Try reading a book like elegran suggested.

Thanks Elegran will try that as well!

Greenfinch I have white coat syndrome even though I'm on 3 different BP tablets! Seriously thanks for all your input it helps not to overdramatise I can see BP goes up and down and this was confirmed by a 24hr monitor. Perhaps I need a permanent 24hr monitor!

Ehat? Should be What.

Just the way the cuff inflates suddenly makes your blood pressure shoot up.

Ehat I do with my home monitor is to sit at the kitchen table with an inmteresting book in front of me. I put on the cuff and attach the tube for the inflation, but I don't press the button to inflate and measure. Instead, I sit there and read for ten minutes or so. Then I quietly press the button and go back to my book - and read some more while it goes through its routine. By the time I look at the result, it has done the inflation bit, and measured my blood pressure while I was absorbed in the story, instead of when I was shocked by the sudden pressure and was watching the whole performance getting more and more wound up.

Much more relaxed, and a much more normal reading.

I was beginning to think my machine was faulty too as my readings were perfect at home and high in the surgery and so my doctor suggested taking my machine to the surgery and both doing it .Lo and behold both readings were high but not identical.His was higher than mine .I wonder how many people are put on BP medication when it is high only because of white coat syndrome.