Everytime I go to take my blood pressure, i can suddenly start to feel my pulse pick up.
It is worse in a doctor's office, I can sometimes feel my heart pounding and start beating over 100 bpm.
But my resting heart rate at home when relaxed and nothing going on is only in the upper 70s.
I guess I feel some sort of anxiety during those situations. Would this cause a high reading? And if so, how much would it throw it off?
2007-01-12 17:53:48 · 10 answers · asked by Darren 4 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
All sorts of things can and do drive up your BP readings: talking/holding your breath/ smoking/watching the numbers/
to name a few...a cuff that is too small for your arm will do it as well and taking your pressure in your dominant arm can also result in a higher reading...IF you are consistantly above the 140/90 reading then volunteer to take you pressure at home with a good automatic cuff and then do not do any of the things sited here for a month...you will see lower readings..but low enough??
2007-01-12 18:13:05 · answer #1 · answered by ronibuni 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is called "white coat hypertension". Not uncommon.
Over the years it has been viewed differently by the docs. A decade ago you would not have been treated for high bp. Now, they are saying that damage is still done & the spikes are an indicater of a tendency to have elevated pressure. So, expect to go on an ACE-inhibitor or diuretic (if the increase is not much).
How much off? Not entirely sure, maybe 10mmHg. If you run low, it's nothing. If you are boarder line....
Also, don't talk while they are taking the reading. When people talk or use ASL, their pressures will generally increase a few points.
2007-01-12 18:04:33 · answer #2 · answered by buttercup 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you are talking about is called "white coat syndrome" and it's very common. (I swear that's what they call it, I did not make it up.)
It's just nervousness due to visiting the doctor. An experienced nurse or doctor will take your BP at the beginning of your appointment, then check it again at the end, when it is usually lower, and closer to normal.
My doctor told me it's just a tremendously common thing for people to have, and that some people's BP and HR really skyrocket when they come into his office, so it sounds like your problem is perfectly natural.
It can throw the numbers off significantly, as in enough to make you look hypertensive when you actually are not. If you are getting repeated high numbers, you might try discussing it with your doctor. Ask him or her to take your vitals several times during your office visit. Usually the numbers go down to just barely over normal by the time you are at the end of your appointment, so you should be able to get an accurate reading them.
Good luck!
2007-01-12 18:12:02 · answer #3 · answered by Bronwen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your are feeling nervous, it does cause your blood pressure to escalate. I have the same thing happen to me sometimes. When I go to the Doctor's office my blood pressure is high and at home it is fine., On another note If you get nervous at the doctors office you probably get nervous in other places as well, causing your blood pressure to be elevated more often Therefore putting an icreased work load on your heart. II know this is easier said than done but just try to relax. Just clear your mind and take deep breaths. Ask for a few minutes before they take your blood pressure to just settle down and get your bearings. I hope this helps
2007-01-12 18:05:15 · answer #4 · answered by NIck 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes its called White Coat Syndrome as other posters have said. Just relax when you are in the doctor's office.
It shouldn't throw your reading off by more than 5-10% but that can still cause inaccurate readings.
2007-01-12 18:58:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes that is common. The Target sore near us as a BP machine.
I'm sure other stores may have them also.
Maybe you could become more relaxed by setting & taking several tests.
2007-01-12 18:03:46 · answer #6 · answered by Floyd B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sitting on the table with your feet swinging can up your blood pressure, its ridiculous what can drive it up. Concentrate on breathing in fully and releasing it slowly.
2007-01-12 18:02:04 · answer #7 · answered by Sugarshots 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes ,like me you have what they call white coat syndrome,every time you see a bp machine your bp rises,there are a lot of people like this
2007-01-12 17:58:55 · answer #8 · answered by dumplingmuffin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it would but not sure how much it would throw off, depends on how nervous you are.
2007-01-12 18:00:03 · answer #9 · answered by stephanie_kanode 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and tons.
2007-01-12 21:34:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋