Looking for a little input here regarding some blood pressure readings. I know there was a reason post in GAL, but I can’t find it after searching.
Anyways, had some caffeine at 5pm. I was having an assessment done, and had my blood pressure read probably around 6:30pm. It was measured 3 times and was around 180/80. I was told this was high (well it seems like the systolic is really high, the dialostic wasn’t too high, but the difference between the two was high was a concern.
About 2.5hrs later, I went to a pharmacy and used their machine.
First reading: 172/73
Walked around, waited 5 mins.
Second reading: 155/72
Pulled my arm out, relaxed.
Third Reading: 143/72
I think as long as the dialostic stays under 80, its not too much of a concern, but the systolic was so high. Also, I got 4 drasticaly different readings.
Well caffeine does speed up heart heart increasing blood pressure. Seeing as you went to the pharmacy 2.5 hours later the effect of caffeine may have worn off as it provides a temporary boost. This is my thinking to what occurred.
Readings:
Reading 1) Reason for this is you may have been sort of “racing” to find the machine. Like having that feeling you can’t wait to do something. Resulting high reading
Reading 2) Could have been just standing around looking at stuff more than walking staying near the machine to check in thus reducing your heart rate.
Reading3) If you sat on the machine before taking it and relaxing it will obviously reduce your heart rate.
I was not there so I am just imagining what could have occurred.
Do you take a N.O. supplement? I found with them they screwed around a lot with my blood pressure leading me to not use them anymore.
Plus I hear arm size and different blood pressure monitor cuff sizes can give different blood pressure readings.
Your rational makes sense there. So, does my normal, relaxed, resting BP all that matter? Or the fact that it can become so elevated if excited/stimulated by caffeine/nervous/etc a problem?
Your rational makes sense there. So, does my normal, relaxed, resting BP all that matter? Or the fact that it can become so elevated if excited/stimulated by caffeine/nervous/etc a problem?[/quote]
1.) If your arm is a larger than average and muscular, you cannot use the regular cuff. It throws off the reading.
2.) Anything stressfull or perceived stress, will temporarily elevate your blood pressure. That’s ok, as long as it’s not over long term, because that’s when the damage is being done.
Your rational makes sense there. So, does my normal, relaxed, resting BP all that matter? Or the fact that it can become so elevated if excited/stimulated by caffeine/nervous/etc a problem?[/quote]
1.) If your arm is a muscular 15in or more, you cannot use the regular cuff. It throws off the reading.
2.) Anything stressfull or perceived stress, will temporarily elevate your blood pressure. That’s ok, as long as it’s not over long term, because that’s when the damage is being done.[/quote]
^^this is correct. For a normal male weight lifter you must request your Dr. use a XL cuff or possible a thigh cuff if you are really huge. (Prof X size). To get an accurate trend of B/P I advise my patients to check it 3 X a week for two weeks. Alternate time of day. Take the average readings. Good luck.
Oh yea and do not repeat B/P in the same arm one after the other, will also cause false readings.