I was just doing my regular housework and felt lightheaded. I took by bp and it was high. I started spirally into anxiety attack my hands tingled and legs. Freaked me out so much I called 911. I have had anxiety issues, but never that bad and thought I was having a stroke. I was embarrassed after they said it was an anxiety attack. I have a appointment with my doctor tomorrow. I just need some reassurance etc. My first time on the forum.
High bp freaked me out called 911
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bin_tenn
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Welcome to the forum, but sorry you found yourself here under these circumstances. It's not unusual at all for blood pressure to be temporarily elevated due to anxiety alone. Perhaps the lightheaded sensation caused an uptick in anxiety, which resulted in the elevated reading. What was it when you checked?
Don't feel embarrassed. Any good doctor will tell you to seek medical attention if you feel symptoms like these and you feel like something may truly be wrong. You were right to seek help, IMO. However, now that you've been through that and they cleared you of a immediate cardiac issue, I think that should help reassure you in the future if it happens again.
I know these sensations all too well, unfortunately. It's become fairly common for me, so I understand.
Don't feel embarrassed. Any good doctor will tell you to seek medical attention if you feel symptoms like these and you feel like something may truly be wrong. You were right to seek help, IMO. However, now that you've been through that and they cleared you of a immediate cardiac issue, I think that should help reassure you in the future if it happens again.
I know these sensations all too well, unfortunately. It's become fairly common for me, so I understand.
Thank you for responding. Yes, I checked after I felt light headed and then anxiety went into overdrive. The more I think about the more anxiety I have. I’m 54 so I’m wondering menopause related or my anxiety. I’m afraid to go to sleep tonight and I’m not what that’s about.
TruthHurts
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The best thing to do is understand that the elevated blood pressure was more then likely due to the anxiety. Wait until you are calm and sit down to do a recheck. Then you will get a better understanding of where your numbers really are. Sometimes our minds can play tricks on us, plus our bodies change as we get older and we start to notice things a little more then we use to. Did you have any caffeine before experiencing this anxiety? Just try to relax and get some sleep so you can go into your doctors appointment feeling fresh.
bigjetplane6
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Welcome to the forum!! This community is great
Blood pressure issue was one of the situations that began my health anxiety. In 9th grade I sprained my ankle and I was in severe pain...to make sure it wasn't broken I went to the er. The nurse's eyes got huge when taking my blood pressure because of its elevation... I freaked out...thus started a fear with taking my blood pressure...which steamrolled into many other phobias and fears, and some 25 years later here I am.
TruthHurts
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Have you had problems with your blood pressure being high before? How high was it when you went into the doctor today? They sure love to push the meds.
tangowiththetrafficpolice
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I lost the first part of this post which is about my GP practising defensive medicine: similar to the nurse scaring you in 9th grade.
In short, he diagnosed angina after I went to him with chest pains after jogging, sent me to a cardiologist 2 months later who diagnosed a stitch!
A few years later when I took my daughter to him about a sore throat I also mentioned a faint red blemish on her cheek. He immediately started palpating her abdomen muttering " I need to check her liver" (she was 6). Freaked out, I asked him why? He had the nerve to say "You always worry about everything" ( any wonder?) and referred her to a dermatologist!!!???!!!???. Of course I looked it up and a red mark was stigmata for a whole range of ghastly conditions (which I won't outline on this forum for obvious reasons).
He succeeded in not only exacerbating my anxiety but also leaving me with a deep distrust of medics to the extent that in my following pregnancy I did not attend the optimum number of ante-natal appointments (with him-I went to obstetric consultant ones at the hospital). He was taking care not to get sued by being cautious and packing his patients off to specialists. In reality I have a desire to sue him for the huge damage he has done to my mental health in the years since. That sounds wicked and I would not do it but he has contributed massively to the development of my condition now, which is beyond help.
Some docs really have no verbal/communication skills...and it sounds like yours couldn't diagnose properly.
I won't blame that doc in my situation , but I haven't had a physical since 16/17 years old due to the fear. I remember trying to cope after that but it really just snowballed my anxiety...after that started a huge aids fear...and on and on...
