"High" blood pressure, drugstore machines & exertion?

Question

Yesterday I had my blood pressure measured in one of those machines with the tight arm-cuff found in drugstores. I'd been walking briskly around the store before I used the machine.

I was shocked by the numbers! My systolic pressure was elevated, and my diastolic was VERY elevated! I waited a few minutes, then did it again and both numbers were PERFECTLY NORMAL. I asked a pharmacist how accurate the machine was, because this seemed weird, especially since only a month ago, I had my BP taken by my doctor and it, too, was normal.

The pharmacist said to sit for another minute and take a THIRD reading, then go with whatever 2 out of the 3 readings indicated. I did that, and the third reading was also normal. I felt very good about that. However....

I'm concerned whether my BP rises to dangerous levels when I'm exercising. It's great that it's normal and healthy when I'm sitting around doing nothing, but why was it so high, albeit TEMPORARILY, just from walking briskly in the store?

P.S. Don't worry -- I won't use Yahoo Answers as a substitute for medical advice. :) However, I can't get to the doctor for a few days, so I thought I'd post this on Yahoo in the meantime.

Thanks to all 4 folks below for thoughtful, helpful info. :) You all made me feel better. FYI, no, I do NOT exercise regularly, unfortunately. I really ought to start. I'm very slim, but I'm not at all cardiovascularly "in shape".

Anyway, I don't want to have to choose among you, so I'm going to let this question go into voting. Good luck, and thanks again! :)

Answer 1

Physical exertion raises blood pressure, but if your bp has been normal, and returns to normal quickly after you return to rest you have nothing to worry about. If your resting bp is also high, then you have medical hypertension. In your case you sound like a healthy person, whose bp simply elevated to match your exertion. Any time you are physically active, your blood pressure should elevate to provide the needed oxygen, nutrients to the muscles. The muscles themselves help to increase circulation, thereby raising bp, by compressing veins during contraction, which forces the blood to return to the heart at a higher rate. Remember to get plenty of exercise, eat right, and have regular physicals......... Good luck, and I hope you remain healthy in the future.

Answer 2

I can tell you that those machines are not an accurate indicator of your blood pressure. It would depend very much on the size of your arm, and certainty of calibration of the machine. If you have a large arm, it will register much higher and you can ask your nurse or doc to take your pressure with a large cuff. Your blood pressure is SUPPOSE to fluctuate with activity. And yes, after you've rested you'll have a better reading. Look at the rising pressure as an indicator that you're really doing some exercise that will be good for cardiovascular . Godloveya.

Answer 3

If you've been walking around for a while before testing your blood pressure, it might be elevated. Before taking your blood pressure, sit down for 5 minutes, and so, your blood pressure should be back to normal.
Those machines should not be trusted for any type of official diagnosis. Get someone to take it for you.

Answer 4

you already answered your own question when you said "I'd been walking briskly" before using the machine. Obviously that reading is going to be high. It's not dangerous......it just happens when we exercise.

Answer 5

Do you exercise regularly? If not, then it's perfectly understandable that your b/p would rise to high levels with activity. If you do get regular cardiovascular exercise, then I would be somewhat concerned. Either way, it wouldn't hurt to check with your doctor.

Good luck.