Gloria--I know that it varies all the time because I take it at home occasionally. When I was first diagnosed with high blood pressure I was obsessed with keeping up with the numbers but I don't bother any more. I had a different doctor then, and he'd take my BP 4 or 5 times, on each arm and then sitting and standing.
Yes, blood pressures will fluctuate widely throughout the day, often within minutes. I have my own blood pressure kit and take my pressure often enough to know that my average pressure is within normal limits, and none of them are scaringly high. It scares me when a doctor wants to prescribe medication for high blood pressure on the basis of one reading, which I have had happen. How many people are on medications that they don't need to be on? Until I had a strangulated hernia in the late 1990s, my normal blood pressures and pulse rates were very low, averaging systolic pressures in the low 100s, and often as low as 100, with diastolic pressures from 40-50, and a resting pulse rate in the high 40s. While I was in the (border) hospital with the hernia, I caught a drug-resistant bacteria and was hospitalized, with an endotracheal tube, for about five weeks. During that time, my blood pressure rose and never found its way back to the 106/48 again, and my normal pulse rate now is in the 60s or 70s.
Not only that, but many medical professionals don't even know how to properly take a BP reading. They'll put the cuff over thick clothing, then start asking questions while the patient is supposed to be "sitting quietly with both feet on the floor." The doctor who initially diagnosed my HBP was one who took 5 or 6 readings over the 30 minutes I was in his office; he was very thorough. That was the first time I've had a standing BP reading, too. I have said this before, but I don't mess around with my BP and I'm very serious about taking the medication. My mother died from kidney failure due to uncontrolled high blood pressure. She suffered through dialysis the last 5 years of her life and I am determined that I don't go down that road. It was terrible for her and could have been avoided.
This doctor that I have now...he took over in Feb. as my other one retired. I have only seen this one once but have appointment in Dec to see him.Instead of addressing my issues from the other day he directs me back to general doctor. This hacked me off as I have already seen that one twice with my issue.About ready to find another doctor but will see what happens come Dec.
A few months ago a nurse practitioner took my bp and to me, it was high but she said that I was in line with the new normal. The problem with that is that it was about 10 points higher than what I was put on Lisinopril for only 4 years ago. What the VA doctor was fretting about and telling me I could stroke out at any minute is now.....a normal or average (as I believe it to be) reading for my age bracket. No matter what they say though, I still want to keep mine around the 120/70 and it seems that I can think a lot more clearly and feel better when It’s NOT in that “Average” range of 150 over.
Is the doctor you saw recently a specialist? Sounds like you might need to do some doctor-swapping, Gloria. Sorry you are having troubles.
I really hate it when they start changing the "goal line." They do that with all the medical tests, it seems. Like a few years ago the blood glucose numbers for diagnosing diabetes were suddenly lowered, making millions more people suddenly diabetic. Ugh. (Big pharma, anyone???)
@Beth Gallagher You are aware, I venture to think, that pinpointing the the two discerning pressures is actually rather tricky. The process involves pinching off flow in an artery, then reducing tightness on the artery, which drops the pressure gradually from the high point, which is indicated by the pressure gradually beginning to drop, as seen at each heart beat. That pressure reading is known as SYSTOLIC pressure. This is the highest pressure raised by the heart given prevailing conditions. As the pressure continues to drop, a point is reached when the pressure reaches a low-point which signifies the flow of blood has ceased; that point is called the DIASTOLIC pressure. Systolic and diastolic pressures are recorded as "the blood pressure reading". Systolic is the highest pressure developed by the heart. Diastolic pressure is shown when blood flow has ceased, "between beats". The pressure which the heart must overcome to get the blood moving again from a standstill, Diastolic pressure. is the amount of pressure the heart must OVERCOME just to get the next pulse of flow to begin. So, between beats is the only time the heart muscle gets to "rest". Diastolic pressure is vitally important because it is the obstacle facing the heart when it must get the blood moving again. The flow is NOT like water flowing from a hose. Instead, it consists of "pulses" of flow which vary in rate, say, cc per minute occurring at maximum pressure, down to NO FLOW, while the heart "rests". Determining the two pressures using a "B. P. Cuff" and stethoscope requires polished technique. If that is your nurse's method, there is considerable room for error. The electronic cuffs now available are I think better. Frank
Thanks, @Frank Sanoica . Yes, I am familiar with the mechanics of BP readings. My doctor's office uses electronic everything... scales, thermometers, BP monitor, etc.
@Beth Gallagher Then, you already knew the answer to your question.........is that aimed at finding out "who else knows"? Frank
I wasn't aware that I had asked any question. I was simply wondering why my own numbers would change so drastically in a very short amount of time and in the same circumstances, which apparently has also been the experience of many others.
I think they've gotten better in recent years. The electronic cuffs weren't considered reliable when I was a paramedic, although we used them because there was usually only one of us in the back of the ambulance with the patient, and there were often a lot of other things to be done. However, the values we reported to the hospital were the ones we had taken manually. They are more reliable now and were always better for monitoring changes in blood pressure because even if the values were inaccurate, they were measured the same each time.
I think everyone is different and when it comes to blood pressure it is the same. They came up with some numbers and everyone should be within those numbers. What would happen if they said everyone should be a certain high and if not we will cut some off or put some on. If those numbers are so important they would make it illegal to exercise because that increases you blood pressure. The blood pressure you have is exactly right for the conditions that your body has at that time. If your body is making a mistake your wrong. Find and cure what is causing it and never mind forcing your body into complying with some numbers in time you will make it worse. If your kidneys are got pushing enough blood through them they produce a hormone [renin] to increase the pressure so you can function correctly. That is just one cause there is many more but to override the body with drugs without searching for the cause is crazy. I have seen people get off Drugs by increasing their calcium/magnesium or just learning to deep breath.