Stroke? High blood pressure

[SB2017]

So I’ve had high blood pressure on and off for 4 years now. I was off meds for a while then went back on in June. Things were good whenever I checked. I take 30mg a day. My pressure is pretty much normal when I take it randomly.

Recently I’ve been under a ton of stress, and I’m going back to work on the 13th for the first time in a year and a half and my daughter is going to school for the first time. I’m depressed and anxious. It’s been bad. I decided to take my pressure because my head felt like it was tingling and felt pressure in one spot. It was 150/103. Over the next 2 hours the top number went down to normal but the bottom number lingers between 90-97. I’m petrified I’m having a stroke or something is going on with my brain. Why would the bottom number stay so high? Now I’m obsessively taking it and getting no sleep.

 

[SB2017]

Anyone?

 

[TruthHurts]

You pretty much answered your own question. Stress will elevate the blood pressure and so will lack of sleep. Drink some water to stay hydrated, try not to stress and get at least 8 hours of sleep tonight that'll help. You can always go for a long walk or get a exercise in that brings the blood pressure down and helps to relax you.

 

[SB2017]

You pretty much answered your own question. Stress will elevate the blood pressure and so will lack of sleep. Drink some water to stay hydrated, try not to stress and get at least 8 hours of sleep tonight that'll help. You can always go for a long walk or get a exercise in that brings the blood pressure down and helps to relax you.

I’m just scared over how much it’s elevating it, and why the bottom number is staying high even after I took my medication.

 

[bin_tenn]

I'm no doctor and I don't know your overall health, but 150/100-ish is generally not concerning so long as it isn't your normal. >= 180/110 is considered a hypertensive crisis (e.g. stroke level), and if you have two or more readings that high you should seek immediate medical attention. Otherwise, I wouldn't sweat it. My BP can sometimes be 150/95 or so, depending on anxiety levels.

 

[TruthHurts]

I’m just scared over how much it’s elevating it, and why the bottom number is staying high even after I took my medication.

I think it's more then likely due to the stress and anxiety you are experiencing. Or even blood pressure related anxiety when you sit down to check it, it probably elevates it a bit. You mentioned that it's normally pretty good so it'll probably get back to normal when you aren't feeling as stressed. But I always recommend healthy life style changes. Exercise, nutrition etc there are plenty of foods that help to naturally lower blood pressure as well.

 

[Watermelon]

Hand on heart I had this exact thing happen to me not even 6 weeks ago (started a major anxiety episode) I started obsessing over my bp and noticed it was high so of course I freaked out!!! Went to the dogs told to monitor it for a week and go back. I felt like it was high constantly but when they looked at it and averaged it out it was only slightly high and my doctor was convinced it was my anxiety elevating it. Anxiety raises your bp in general and then if it’s a worry of yours it will elevate it even more. I’m on 5mg bp meds but I’m convinced the doc put me on it just to put my mind at rest. I guarantee when your anxiety about your bp goes and moves on to something else that it will go back to normal for you

 

[bin_tenn]

I’m just scared over how much it’s elevating it, and why the bottom number is staying high even after I took my medication.

Have you tried relaxation techniques prior to checking your blood pressure? I experimented a little while ago. I got out my BP cuff and put it on my arm. I felt a bit of adrenaline run through me. So I closed my eyes, didn't move, and did some good deep breathing. I then pressed the button and continued relaxing. It was 128/87. That's the lowest reading I've had in a very long time on the very first try. It would've inevitably been even lower had I checked it again, but this time I only checked it to prove a point.

 

[Doug97]

I have hypertension, it runs in my family on both sides. I'm on 5mg ramipril a day and that keeps it under control. I also get "white coat syndrome", where if a doc is measuring my BP it's way higher than it normally is.

I expect this syndrome could transfer to measuring your own BP at home if you're anxious about it. Anxiety and panic causes BP to skyrocket.

 

[jesslynnecooke]

So I’ve had high blood pressure on and off for 4 years now. I was off meds for a while then went back on in June. Things were good whenever I checked. I take 30mg a day. My pressure is pretty much normal when I take it randomly.

Recently I’ve been under a ton of stress, and I’m going back to work on the 13th for the first time in a year and a half and my daughter is going to school for the first time. I’m depressed and anxious. It’s been bad. I decided to take my pressure because my head felt like it was tingling and felt pressure in one spot. It was 150/103. Over the next 2 hours the top number went down to normal but the bottom number lingers between 90-97. I’m petrified I’m having a stroke or something is going on with my brain. Why would the bottom number stay so high? Now I’m obsessively taking it and getting no sleep.

I was coming on here to post about stroke fears, too. I'm scared I have high BP as I have white coat syndrome and now I had a migaine today and visual disturbances which of course could be anxiety related, too, but my mind foes to stroke. I have a wrist cuff but i'm scared to check it. So I feel you. <3

 

[Doug97]

Just bit the bullet and measure it, it will be normal and then you can stop worrying.

High BP by itself is nothing to be scared of, it's not an illness and it's not guaranteed to cause any problems. Both my parents, my uncle and all of my grandparents were on medication for hypertension and none of them had a stroke or heart attack.