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Blood pressure

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Kiwiqueen123 Mon 17-Feb-25 09:32:19

Just after some advice please. I'm not on BP pills but do take Atorvastatin. When I was collecting my prescription last week the pharmacist asked if I wanted a BP check. Told her I usually do it at home and its fine but we went ahead and it was quite high. She said to ignore her reading but take readings at home in a week's time and see where we are. I have to admit I've become rather obsessed and the readings are quite high ie highest 136/71. I think she told me not to worry unless it was 140/90. She said take 3 readings.

Would you take a reading every day and submit to GP or just check once a week? I know it can vary depending on what you've been doing etc.

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tobyianathekid Sun 23-Feb-25 00:20:45

Mine was 200 for a while without realising. I started taking medication and saw a nutritionist now it's down to below 120 consistently. Key learnings was to cut down alcohol, salt and caffeine significantly. I would be on my 3rd coffee by about 10am now I switched to herbal teas.

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Madmeg Sun 23-Feb-25 00:28:00

When taking your blood pressure, relax for about ten minutes beforehand, and do not drink, eat or smoke during this period. In fact a half hour is probably better, especially the smoking.

The reading tend to be higher in the morning and lower in the evening which is why they recommend two readings a day.

When I had my TIA (15 years ago) my BP went up to 240 and was regarded as exceptionally high. It has occasionally gone up to 160 temporarily which doesn't worry the medics so long as it comes back down fairly soon afterwards.

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averibell Mon 10-Mar-25 13:08:40

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

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Primrose53 Mon 10-Mar-25 13:52:29

Somebody mentioned the pharmacy getting paid for taking BP readings. Whoever takes it gets paid, your GP does too.

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argymargy Mon 10-Mar-25 20:01:51

@Primrose53 GPs do not get paid any extra for taking BP - what a daft idea! Where appropriate, taking BP readings is just part of their contracted services. Pharmacies may get an extra payment because it is over & above their contracted services and the hope is that they may "catch" people who would not have had it done at the GP.

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foxie48 Mon 10-Mar-25 20:38:20

I take my own BP on a regular basis, I don't get paid! Seriously keeping a check on your BP is one of the most sensible things anyone can do. High BP normally has no symptoms and can do lots of damage without us knowing.

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