Can you think of a new way to view blood pressure....

I remember to breathe and think of my favorite place in nature. In the adirondacks. Its calming

Yes, ugh. I will share a story though. I have my own health issues, and I have that same need, I don't need this. Please don't add upon my stress and anxiety, doctor. Months ago I went through a series of tests, my doctor instilled fear in me I needed, so I did them (not easy for me working shift work), and after the entire series of tests, I receive a call from the specialist for my follow up. I slept in. I called back trying to be good of taking care of my health. I tried arranging times so I would not have to miss work, but any attempts I made did not work. The receptionist offered an appointment over a month later, for the doc would be on vacation. I asked her, is this is a good idea, I don't want the answer my heart needs treatment, or I have a disease of some kind, and she asked, do you feel fine? I said yes. She said then you are okay. That's not actually giving of trust (for me) as the receptionist is not a doctor.

I decided all I can do is trust. I remember being scared, once the appointment came around, over a month later, and I felt before the doctor was in the room with me, looking upon the parking lots below thinking to myself is this where I find out my life changes?

He came in telling my levels, conditions, were very normal and healthy. I wondered to myself, why did you have to have me come in for this, scare me, when this could have been shared on the phone....

It's about trust and intuition, you just have to trust sometimes. And I bet if you trust more and become anxious less, another story easier said then done, then when your doc reads your blood pressure will be lower when you can trust or be calm.

Tip, ask the doc for the tests at the end of your appointment.

Y'know, you can just tell the doctor that you don't consent to a blood pressure test and are too anxious about it. They might try to talk you into it, but you're still an adult and they can't make you do it. 🤷 Not ideal for obvious reasons, but it's a hell of a lot better than not receiving the rest of your medical treatment.

When I was your age, due to a combination of factors, my blood pressure soared - top number 190, bottom number 130. I was already taking BP meds.

My blood pressure steadied when I got divorced.

BUT- that was thirty years ago. My blood pressure is good. My point is that while it’s wise to keep an eye on it, high BP isn’t an instant death sentence.

Consider getting a cuff to use at home, and accustom yourself to taking readings every day or so. That may help calm your body’s reaction to taking vital signs.

When I have people who are nervous like you I have them sit, I put on the cuff, and get them to talk to me for a few minutes before I check. It seems to help some people.

I ask them how they're feeling, if they are having any chest pain, new or worsening shortness of breath, and to rate their pain level over all. If they take medications I ask if they have taken their meds today/when was the last dose and if they have been taking it/them consistently. From there, it depends on the person but the point is to put them at ease and make them feel like they're part of their own health care team.

Mine is always ridiculously high on the first try. Generally, the reading is much lower for me when they do it again at the end of the visit, after I have settled in.

Medical people call this "white coat syndrome." They are very aware of the fact that some people react the way you and I do.

Buy yourself one of the BP reading devices that fits on your wrist. Take your BP with it at least twice a day and chart it (chart is included in the box with the BP device). Take the chart with you when you go to the doctor to show him/her the record.

Never avoid doctors visits... and you will live longer......

Same happens to me always high when i am in the office. I usually bring my own and the dr looks at the history and can see that i have white coat syndrome

Mention this to the doctor. A fast heart rate doesn’t increase BP necessarily. BP can be higher from stress or pain or even how you hold your arm. No single reading is dispositive.

If it’s just an occasional routine test then the doctors know people tend to get high readings due to nerves. If you have concerns about your BP, then consider getting you own kit so you can measure it at home at the same time each day (you’ll also get used to it and be less nervous over time).

Breathing exercises will help.

Well, in some circumstances they can cuff your leg. I've had it done a few times because I had all sorts of things already poked in my arms

Look away. And take deep relaxing breaths. Just know it will all be over in a couple of minutes.

Can you bring one of those small squeezy balls that you can hold with the arm that doesn’t have the cuff on it?

White Coat Hypertension or White Coat Syndrome, if you let your Doctors know you have it they can take you through the test gently. And with the new machines, it would be over and done with in no time.

I have never heard of anyone dieing because they got their blood pressure took

Try slow breathing and closing your eyes and imagining something pleasant. Just not imagine hot guy. that won't help no matter how pleasant it may seem at first. 😆

Do you know what happens to the body when they check BP?

Is there any way you can get one to monitor at home? I had too and my blood pressure is fine.

do they tell you it's high or low? they usually give me some nonsense like "one-twenty over lemon" or something 🤷‍♂️