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What Causes Fluctuations In BP?
Question: Hello Dr.
My question is about to take a blood pressure. I have a home BP machine . Due to high stress my BP went to 160/100 once. I went to emergency and immediately it went to 130/83..From that day I became son anxious about my BP.. I bought a home BP machine and checking at least 20 times daily due to anxiousness.. My BP varies a lot from 115/75 to 150/100 by changing my arm position.. I read arm should be at heart level to get an exact BP reading but I have hard time in finding the eaxact position. If I support my arm on table I am getting BP reading around 125/80. If I support my arm in my thigh its around 140/92.. If i take in Dr's office nurse is taking BP by making me to keep my arm without any support (table) I am holding in my thigh.. My BP is always around 145/100 if i take in my Dr's office, My heart started pounding fast if i see BP machine in Dr's office..
In summary, I need to know how to take a BP at home (arm position etc), If arm position should be rest on the table why Dr's office always taking BP without any support (table)and why there is huge difference(120/81 @ home , 140/100@ Dr's office) between my BP reading while taking measurement in home and Dr's office..
Note: Dr order for blood test, everything is normal .. I am going thru extreme stress for past three months
My question is about to take a blood pressure. I have a home BP machine . Due to high stress my BP went to 160/100 once. I went to emergency and immediately it went to 130/83..From that day I became son anxious about my BP.. I bought a home BP machine and checking at least 20 times daily due to anxiousness.. My BP varies a lot from 115/75 to 150/100 by changing my arm position.. I read arm should be at heart level to get an exact BP reading but I have hard time in finding the eaxact position. If I support my arm on table I am getting BP reading around 125/80. If I support my arm in my thigh its around 140/92.. If i take in Dr's office nurse is taking BP by making me to keep my arm without any support (table) I am holding in my thigh.. My BP is always around 145/100 if i take in my Dr's office, My heart started pounding fast if i see BP machine in Dr's office..
In summary, I need to know how to take a BP at home (arm position etc), If arm position should be rest on the table why Dr's office always taking BP without any support (table)and why there is huge difference(120/81 @ home , 140/100@ Dr's office) between my BP reading while taking measurement in home and Dr's office..
Note: Dr order for blood test, everything is normal .. I am going thru extreme stress for past three months
Brief Answer:
Following advice
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query very carefully.
First of all you should stay calm and relaxed about your BP. What is happening (with your BP differences) at your doctor office is a well-known fenomen called white coat (I.e doctor office) hypertension. Since the readings at your home are normal or slightly elevated most of the time you shouldn't worry too much.
Secondly the observed differences between hand position and from time to time (measured at home) are within normal range and you shouldn't worry. Please keep in mind that BP is a dynamic parameter and it fluctuate in an range of +/- 20 mmHg both systolic and diastolic.
Thirdly anxiety and stress it's an important contributing factor for the observed BP changes. Relieving stress and anxiety will help to stabilize the observed BP changes.
If you were my patients I would have suggested as follows:
- Reduce salt intake
- Avoid unnecessary stress
- Increase physical activity
- Use chamomile tea
- Loose weight
This will be of help for furthe stabilizing your BP.
Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Following advice
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query very carefully.
First of all you should stay calm and relaxed about your BP. What is happening (with your BP differences) at your doctor office is a well-known fenomen called white coat (I.e doctor office) hypertension. Since the readings at your home are normal or slightly elevated most of the time you shouldn't worry too much.
Secondly the observed differences between hand position and from time to time (measured at home) are within normal range and you shouldn't worry. Please keep in mind that BP is a dynamic parameter and it fluctuate in an range of +/- 20 mmHg both systolic and diastolic.
Thirdly anxiety and stress it's an important contributing factor for the observed BP changes. Relieving stress and anxiety will help to stabilize the observed BP changes.
If you were my patients I would have suggested as follows:
- Reduce salt intake
- Avoid unnecessary stress
- Increase physical activity
- Use chamomile tea
- Loose weight
This will be of help for furthe stabilizing your BP.
Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks dr.
Brief Answer:
You are mostly welcome!
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
You were mostly welcomed!
If you are satisfied with my answer, please close this query and rate it to maximum.
Dr. Shehu
You are mostly welcome!
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
You were mostly welcomed!
If you are satisfied with my answer, please close this query and rate it to maximum.
Dr. Shehu
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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