Blood pressure high

SModa61
SModa61 Posts: 3,098 Member
edited January 2022 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey all, I am primarily reaching out because this has NEVER been a concern for me and is totally foreign. Had my annual physical yesterday and BP was 140/80 (left arm), and some sort of 130+ in my right. I have never, even at my highest weights, had anything but normal blood pressure (around 120 over 60 something). I am ticked!

Current life: Bought a home in july before we were reading to see our home. Were forced to jump through hoops for months by RE agent to sell our family home. As end in sight approached, my 87 year old father's hip broke mid-stride. 85 year old mom is early dimensia, does not drive, and my parents are hoarders. Been dealing with them while trying to settle my own life including ongoing realities of holidays and COVID and a home in disarray (not knowing, we donated 80% of our furniture). Daily exercise is gone, and I have gained 15 lb since labor day, which is half of what I lost last year with MFP and its community. Mind you that this is still 21 lb under my high weight of 168.8, and I had normal BP then. Is the rapidity of my wight gain a factor?

So, I am shocked. PCP stated that returning to exercise and cleaning back up my diet is important. Will be doing extensive bloodwork tomorrow morning (would have been this morning but have other pre-existing appointments).

Anyhow, I was already trying to get back on track as of two days ago - ie daily exercise and at a minimum, honest food tracking.

Would love insights into the topic of high BP as I literally no nothing. TIA

Replies

  • SModa61
    SModa61 Posts: 3,098 Member
    paperpudding wrote: »
    140/80 as a one off reading in the Drs surgery doesn't seem a concern to me

    Glad it doesn't strike you as a concern. It is a significant change for me, which leads me to want to understand. In December, when I was seen for an ear infection from my "cold from hell", my BP was 133 over something, and I recall saying that that was not correct and that I my be just feeling hyper. So, overall trend up over time. I don't want to go up by another 10 in another month.
  • ccrdragon
    ccrdragon Posts: 3,374 Member
    As said above, the 140/80 is a one-off reading and is pretty meaningless. You really need several readings in a row to establish a pattern for HBP (and if your Dr is giving you grief over the one reading, the Dr is an *kitten*).

    Also, stress is a major contributing factor to HBP (and you seem to be having a certain amount of that right now). I totally know where you are coming from in regards to the parents - my father passed recently and we are in the process of cleaning out his house (and while I dearly loved my father and miss him every day). the man never threw away anything that had to do with finances - we have found 30 year old receipts for things that have long since gone the way of the dinosaurs in his house. He was also an avid reader and preferred real books to electronic tablets, so we have about 1000 books to box up and donate to the local libraries as well (we have already collected over 30 boxes and still haven't touched the shelves that line the garage walls!).

    One thing that you really need to do in times like this is to take care of yourself - set some time aside (as difficult as it may be) to just unwind and forget about the other things that are going on and relax!! It will help your state of mind and will definitely help to relieve the stress that you are dealing with.
  • minnelizzy
    minnelizzy Posts: 45 Member
    Try not to stress that won’t help. Also- it’s common to have higher readings once in awhile especially at the docs office. I purchased a bp monitor for this very reason as I had the same issue. Take your bp a few times regularly to get a better idea of what your actual bp is. Then go from there. I’m personally losing weight and doing more cardio. Good luck.
  • NYPhotographer2021
    NYPhotographer2021 Posts: 510 Member
    I take my BP at home every morning. It's always normal or low hypertension stage 1. However, whenever I go to the doctor, my BP there is always higher. I show the doctor what my app has, and he's okay with it. Maybe get your own monitor and take it every morning. See if your doctor will write you a script for it.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I would say one stand alone reading isn't anything to blow off, but nothing to be exasperated by either. BP is one of those things that fluctuates depending on circumstances and can be affected by bad sleep, stress, a high sodium day, or a myriad of other things.

    I do have hypertension and take my blood pressure at home, where it is recommended to take several readings throughout the day to get a daily average. Mine is always higher in the morning, drops in the afternoon, and is usually in the normal range in the evening. I am also on meds...but regular exercise does play a big part. When I was doing a lot of endurance cycling events and training on the bike 4-5 days per week and lifting on a regular schedule my average (with meds) was 175/70. I haven't been doing much training the last couple of years and have been more of a regular walker and weekend warrior on the bike and sometimes weight lifter and my average is around 145/90 which is one of the reasons I'm getting back on my endurance biking kick and back into the weight room on a regular schedule.
  • sollyn23l2
    sollyn23l2 Posts: 1,755 Member
    I would say the main concerning thing is that you said this is not typical for you, and that you've never before had a high blood pressure reading. That makes it concerning because it indicates a change. Also, I noticed you mentioned 2 different blood pressures in your different arms. Having two different blood pressures in your arms can also be concerning. But, in the end, always go with what your doctor says, and ask them questions. Never rely on random weirdos on the internet for advice.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    I'm normally in the 11Xs but years ago got a 140 after rushing to get to the doctors, not having any waiting time, and being excited about a first date later that night. The date was a bust and my blood pressure went back down, lol.

    So while I, internet rando, am not concerned about your one reading, I do encourage you to get back to healthy habits as that should help you deal with the stress of aging parents.

    I've had to drag my mother to a financial advisor twice lately as her financial decision making is...not sound...and I needed the Voice of Authority to back me up.
  • SModa61
    SModa61 Posts: 3,098 Member
    @littlegreenparrot1 My doc did ask about fruits and vegetables. At this time last year, they were great. Lately, they would have to be hidden in the ice cream and junk food I have bonded with. Also, last year, I was walking virtually every day, and if not walking, then another exercise. Trying to get to florida on Feb 4 and using it as a reset of my life. There I walk with friends (I see none up north lately) and walk for 1 - 2 hours.

    @minnelizzy I picked up the monitor a couple hours ago and I will be collecting data.

    @nooshi713 Thank you for your professional insights. Good to know that more than one reading is required to identify an issue. As for doctor nerves, yesterday was no different than any other visit until she concluded I need a diagnostic mammogram tomorrow. But the BP was taken earlier. I plan to start logging my readings.

    @anya_000 Sounds like you have much more to be stressed about than me. Glad you are taking care of yourself. I am going to be working on getting back to making smart choices.

    @NYPhotographer2021 I will be following your example

    @Honeybadger302 Sorry you have faced so much. Thank you for sharing your bullet points and plan. I will used your notes. I hope your life comes back together for you. <3

    @cwolfman13 Doc asked about sleep and I laughed. One cat howls at night and the other makes a nest on me. But they make me happy. Could you explain how 175/70 is better than 145/90? Is diastolic more important? I have a lot to learn. I will try the multiple daily readings

    @sollyn2312 Exactly. Changes are worth understanding. Good or bad. Interesting on the point about two arms. I got the impression that my doctor was pleased with the lower number in the right arm. Can you expound?

    @kshama2001 Yesterday was a nutty day before my physical. so maybe that contributed. I naively did not expect my parents to be the challenge they have become - all in only a few months.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,225 Member
    I'd observe that you've had multiple changes of habits, each of which individually may not be a big deal, but each associated in some way with possibility of increased BP: Eating fewer veggies, gaining a few pounds, higher stress, reduced exercise.

    It could be a one-off, for sure: Mine is at that level occasionally at a doctor's office, especially if I've been rushing around or something (and I do have a bit of "white coat syndrome" with BP sometimes, given that I have a history of borderline high BP when I was obese, so I'm a little anxious when they take it at primary care).

    But it could be a combination of many small factors, if there turns out to be a pattern of higher BP. In that sense, maybe start with any aspect of the self-care that's easiest to change, if you choose to treat this as a warning bell.

    Best wishes for good outcomes!

  • SModa61
    SModa61 Posts: 3,098 Member
    thanks @annPt77 could be good inspiration for reinstating better habits. Ironically, when I got serious on MFP fall 2020, my motivation was "I don't want to be my parents". Now, they are a piece of my derailment. I really should think more clearly and be even more motivated to get and stay on track.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited January 2022
    SModa61 wrote: »
    @littlegreenparrot1 My doc did ask about fruits and vegetables. At this time last year, they were great. Lately, they would have to be hidden in the ice cream and junk food I have bonded with. Also, last year, I was walking virtually every day, and if not walking, then another exercise. Trying to get to florida on Feb 4 and using it as a reset of my life. There I walk with friends (I see none up north lately) and walk for 1 - 2 hours.



    @cwolfman13 Doc asked about sleep and I laughed. One cat howls at night and the other makes a nest on me. But they make me happy. Could you explain how 175/70 is better than 145/90? Is diastolic more important? I have a lot to learn. I will try the multiple daily readings

    I got my numbers turned around...I meant 117/70...so a bit below what is considered normal.
  • SModa61
    SModa61 Posts: 3,098 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    SModa61 wrote: »
    @littlegreenparrot1 My doc did ask about fruits and vegetables. At this time last year, they were great. Lately, they would have to be hidden in the ice cream and junk food I have bonded with. Also, last year, I was walking virtually every day, and if not walking, then another exercise. Trying to get to florida on Feb 4 and using it as a reset of my life. There I walk with friends (I see none up north lately) and walk for 1 - 2 hours.



    @cwolfman13 Doc asked about sleep and I laughed. One cat howls at night and the other makes a nest on me. But they make me happy. Could you explain how 175/70 is better than 145/90? Is diastolic more important? I have a lot to learn. I will try the multiple daily readings

    I got my numbers turned around...I meant 117/70...so a bit below what is considered normal.

    I am no longer confused. :)
  • no1wf
    no1wf Posts: 36 Member
    I'd like to add if I may, that people I see at work who are in a similar position and want to monitor their BP start taking readings so frequently, and the more you worry about it and the more you do it - if you do see higher numbers than what you'd expect you continue to panic and the cycle continues.

    If you do want to regularly take your BP make sure it's consistent, so the same time of day, make a note of what you've eaten/drank, any activities/exercise you've just done. I've had people who have struggled up the stairs to get the machine, then wondered why the reading was high! We take 3 readings to check the average too.
  • SModa61
    SModa61 Posts: 3,098 Member
    @no1wf thank you for that advice. Picked up the monitor this afternoon, and either it doesn't work, or my numbers are lower than they were yesterday at the physical. going to start my notes in the AM, and I agree from a scientific, good data, perspective that readings should be at comparable times.
  • ChickenKillerPuppy
    ChickenKillerPuppy Posts: 297 Member
    I had a physical about six months ago and my BP was in the high - 140s/80-something. My doctor told me to get a cuff and monitor at home. I started consistently getting readings as high as 175/115 - in that range for several days in a row. I was terrified. My doctor put me on medicine right away but it took about a week to get it down to normal. We had to play with the meds to get it right but now I am just on BP meds and it’s totally under control.

    I say this as someone who is 49 years old, 125 pounds and eats largely plant based, some poultry, no red meat. I run 3 times a week and do barre classes 3 days a week. My blood pressure was totally stress related.

    I think monitoring it is the only way you can know if it’s a problem, but I second the problem of obsessing about it and then you’re stressed when you take it so it stays high - that was definitely happening for me.

    Good luck, and I’m sorry you’re under all that stress. And if lifestyle changes can help too, that’s great.
  • NYPhotographer2021
    NYPhotographer2021 Posts: 510 Member
    SModa61 wrote: »
    @no1wf thank you for that advice. Picked up the monitor this afternoon, and either it doesn't work, or my numbers are lower than they were yesterday at the physical. going to start my notes in the AM, and I agree from a scientific, good data, perspective that readings should be at comparable times.

    I'm sure the readings are accurate, but to be sure, you can always go to your doctor's office and have them check it to make sure. Did your monitor come with an app you can sync to?
  • SModa61
    SModa61 Posts: 3,098 Member
    NYPhotographer2021 wrote: »
    SModa61 wrote: »
    @no1wf thank you for that advice. Picked up the monitor this afternoon, and either it doesn't work, or my numbers are lower than they were yesterday at the physical. going to start my notes in the AM, and I agree from a scientific, good data, perspective that readings should be at comparable times.

    I'm sure the readings are accurate, but to be sure, you can always go to your doctor's office and have them check it to make sure. Did your monitor come with an app you can sync to?

    it appears it does not, but I swear the reviews on it commented on that feature. It I find I need it enough and what that feature, I'll upgrade.

    my word doc so far:

    Date systolic diastolic BPM
    1/25/22 PM 121 79 85
    1/26/22 AM 107 80 80


  • SModa61
    SModa61 Posts: 3,098 Member
    @chickenkillerpuppy Hope you are doing better now and glad your doctor identified the concern!
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,282 Member
    Most people's blood pressure at home is lower than in the Drs surgery. Your readings probably will be lower at home, that isnt the monitor not working, it is to be expected.

    Partly why I said in my first post a one off borderline reading of 140/80 in the Drs surgery does not seem a concern to me .it isn't a trend over time, it is a one off reading.
    Everyone's blood pressure, like their weight, does fluctuate.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    SModa61 wrote: »
    @no1wf thank you for that advice. Picked up the monitor this afternoon, and either it doesn't work, or my numbers are lower than they were yesterday at the physical. going to start my notes in the AM, and I agree from a scientific, good data, perspective that readings should be at comparable times.

    Likely it works fine. It's pretty normal to have lower readings at home that at the Dr. as you are more relaxed and not being hurried around a Dr. office and then there is white coat syndrome. It's also pretty normal to have different readings throughout the day. As I mentioned, mine is usually higher in the morning which is pretty normal, hypertensive or not because the morning is generally when cortisol levels are at their highest. Mine usually drops throughout the day. I usually take 3 daily readings...AM, mid afternoon, mid evening.
  • SModa61
    SModa61 Posts: 3,098 Member
    @paperpudding @cwolfman13

    Higher BP at DR office is logical, I've just never had it prior to December. Don't think I ever saw it over 123, in fact, I am prone to passing out from blood pressure drops when stressed. In december, I had that 133 over something and I commented to the tech how that was not normal. So, in a way, it is two anomalies in a row. That just made more of an impression on me.

    Will be good to check it at home. I have previously thought about a BP cuff, so now I have one. :)

    In the short run, I am going to do the 3xday, then will likely taper off based on whatever I have already observed.

    Funny other BP story to share. My adult son has a penchant for spicy foods and actually carries a vial of ghost peppers in his pocket to add to food when not at home. Well, years ago, he was working a job where the group liked to go out for lunch. They chose an Indian restaurant, and my son ordered such a spicy dish that the capsaicin content dropped his blood pressure enough that he passed out. Weeks later, he went back to the restaurant and did it a second time. Not the best learning curve. :P Then again, I guess N =1 does not really pinpoint cause and effect very well.
  • SModa61
    SModa61 Posts: 3,098 Member
    Whoops. Did my labs this morning, and the weigh gain & bad habits has blown up my cholesterol.

    Just more reasons to be motivated!
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    So sorry. Life just throws this kind of stuff in front of you!

    My BP started trending high when I turned about 45. That's when I started really taking exercise and body weight seriously. Heart disease runs in my family, and my grandfather and his 5 brothers suffered from strokes and heart attacks.

    In my grandfather's time, many people thought tobacco and alcohol was a healthy way to relax and that "exerting yourself" was particularly dangerous. (They noticed that people tended to have heart attacks when exerting themselves, so this seemed like a reasonable conclusion.)

    The truth is that your blood pressure will improve as you 1) keep your weight at a reasonable level, and, 2) exercise regularly. Certain things also affect your PB, including alcohol consumption, various prescription and recreational drugs, and salt intake. One thing that has been found to be less important is saturated fat intake-- it appears to be more important that your bodyweight is in a healthy range (not too high or low) than the breakdown of your diet. (Thank god, since I love butter and cheese.)

    So, here's the "fun" part. You can buy a BP cuff and take your PB when you get up in the morning. You can also record your weight and your resting HR. If you can manage to control weight and get more exercise, your resting HR should reduce and you BP should improve. You should stay in contact with your doctor about BP to see if she wants to put you on medication.

    Best of luck!

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