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Suggest Treatment For Fluctuating BP Readings

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Posted on Mon, 22 Jun 2015
Question: My Doctor has me monitoring my BP at home because it is elevated. My only problem is the readings are not consistant 138/82 2nd reading 140/96 3rd reading 138/86 4th reading 140/90. Why does it fluctuate so much? I am not sure which reading to record? I do wait a few minutes between readings. His advice for now is to walk every day and cut down on salt intake. I have another appt. in a month.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You need to determine your coronary risk profile.

Detailed Answer:

Hello!

Thank you for asking on HCM!

I understand your concern, and would like to explain that blood pressure is a dynamic parameter, so it normally fluctuates between different measures.

Your blood pressure values are fluctuating between a high normal scale and grade 1 hypertension.

At this point, I would recommend you to perform some medical tests (if not already performed): complete blood count, thyroid hormone levels, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, AST & ALT, BUN and creatinine, blood electrolytes, fractionated blood lipid profile, and of course resting ECG and optional cardiac ultrasound.

If from the entire check up, it doesn't result any coronary risk factors present, then the advices your doctor has provided you, are the right alternative to follow.

But, if you do have coronary risk factors (diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking contact, strong heredity for coronary disease, etc), known ischemic heart disease, cerebro-vasdular disease, peripheral vascular disease, etc, then you need a determined therapeutical intervention strategy to control the actual BP values at least under 130/135 with 75/80 mmHg. So you need to start an antihypertensive therapy (medications), besides life-style and diet modulations.

You have to discuss with your attending physician about these issues.

Hope to have been helpful to you.

Feel free to ask me whenever you need. Greetings! Dr. Iliri


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (45 minutes later)
Went for physical in February. Had bloodwork done then and ECG. Cholesteral was at 182 with Lipitor. He said kidneys were fine, blood count was fine as well as kidneys and liver. ECG was also fine.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Need for life style modifications, as well as diet and weight control.

Detailed Answer:

Hello!

Facing your lab tests results, I would recommend to follow your doctor's advices.

Best regards! Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9541 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Fluctuating BP Readings

Brief Answer: You need to determine your coronary risk profile. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM! I understand your concern, and would like to explain that blood pressure is a dynamic parameter, so it normally fluctuates between different measures. Your blood pressure values are fluctuating between a high normal scale and grade 1 hypertension. At this point, I would recommend you to perform some medical tests (if not already performed): complete blood count, thyroid hormone levels, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, AST & ALT, BUN and creatinine, blood electrolytes, fractionated blood lipid profile, and of course resting ECG and optional cardiac ultrasound. If from the entire check up, it doesn't result any coronary risk factors present, then the advices your doctor has provided you, are the right alternative to follow. But, if you do have coronary risk factors (diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking contact, strong heredity for coronary disease, etc), known ischemic heart disease, cerebro-vasdular disease, peripheral vascular disease, etc, then you need a determined therapeutical intervention strategy to control the actual BP values at least under 130/135 with 75/80 mmHg. So you need to start an antihypertensive therapy (medications), besides life-style and diet modulations. You have to discuss with your attending physician about these issues. Hope to have been helpful to you. Feel free to ask me whenever you need. Greetings! Dr. Iliri