Scott1 0 Posted June 26, 2021 Been having a headache all day so i randomly decided to check my BP and I checked it 3 times and it was 138/85 135/81 129/88 now I’m anxious thinking that’s high and something is wrong. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MARC 430 Posted June 27, 2021 Those readings are OK and would not cause headaches. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ironman 196 Posted June 27, 2021 21 hours ago, Scott1 said: Been having a headache all day so i randomly decided to check my BP and I checked it 3 times and it was 138/85 135/81 129/88 now I’m anxious thinking that’s high and something is wrong. 16 hours ago, MARC said: Those readings are OK and would not cause headaches. Well, first of all, stress will cause blood pressure to rise. Then, there are medications. July 2016 was my eye hemorrhage/sinus infection scare - I had at least eight different doctors do various tests. In the midst of things, I was supposed to have an angiogram of eye, but it was immediately postponed and I was told to go to the ER - the doctor was worried about a "hemorrhagic stroke" - my blood pressure was 148/108. That was actually the highest my BP has ever been to my knowledge (previous readings were 122-125/90-95 during that week (and I was stressed out not surprisingly!). The 148/108 was due to *taking TWO DIFFERENT decongestants* to try and clear up my head.....I should have taken antihistamines as I was having allergy issues! The key number is the diastolic number - the "second one". The first number can spike due to anxiety. The first number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The second number, called diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats. At 122/92, they decided to put me on a low dose of Losartan. It lowered my levels to 112/78. I have since had trouble standing up too fast (I can black out), and my legs fall asleep when I cross them for a certain time lol. Based on your numbers, I would say watch the anxiety, possibly control the salt/caffeine/carbohydrates and stress - that goes for anyone with worries about BP. Headaches can come up for any reason. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MARC 430 Posted June 27, 2021 My physician has told me that in many instances, headaches are caused by tension in your back, shoulders and/or neck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heightenedstate 1 Posted June 30, 2021 I'm currently undergoing tests for high BP as well. A part of me thinks I have it but is worsened by my health anxiety and white coat syndrome. I envy your numbers! I had a 170/100 at the vaccination site a month ago which made me panic and finally see this wonderful and understanding cardiologist right now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MARC 430 Posted June 30, 2021 My friend had extremely high blood pressure and got dizzy and had to be hospitalized. He was put on medication and is better now. His BP was 200/120. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bin_tenn 1252 Posted July 4, 2021 On 6/26/2021 at 6:14 PM, Scott1 said: Been having a headache all day so i randomly decided to check my BP and I checked it 3 times and it was 138/85 135/81 129/88 now I’m anxious thinking that’s high and something is wrong. I agree those readings are not really concerning at all, at least IMO. I'm not a doctor, nor am I otherwise qualified in any way to make a diagnosis. Just based on my personal experiences with this stuff. On 6/27/2021 at 3:15 PM, Ironman said: Well, first of all, stress will cause blood pressure to rise. Then, there are medications. July 2016 was my eye hemorrhage/sinus infection scare - I had at least eight different doctors do various tests. In the midst of things, I was supposed to have an angiogram of eye, but it was immediately postponed and I was told to go to the ER - the doctor was worried about a "hemorrhagic stroke" - my blood pressure was 148/108. That was actually the highest my BP has ever been to my knowledge (previous readings were 122-125/90-95 during that week (and I was stressed out not surprisingly!). The 148/108 was due to *taking TWO DIFFERENT decongestants* to try and clear up my head.....I should have taken antihistamines as I was having allergy issues! The key number is the diastolic number - the "second one". The first number can spike due to anxiety. The first number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The second number, called diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats. At 122/92, they decided to put me on a low dose of Losartan. It lowered my levels to 112/78. I have since had trouble standing up too fast (I can black out), and my legs fall asleep when I cross them for a certain time lol. Based on your numbers, I would say watch the anxiety, possibly control the salt/caffeine/carbohydrates and stress - that goes for anyone with worries about BP. Headaches can come up for any reason. This is great advice, IMO, and it echoes what my own primary doctor once told me. She also said that they (medical professionals) put far more weight in diastolic pressure. It's perfectly normal and expected for systolic pressure to rise in response to anxiety, physical activity, smoking, etc, while diastolic pressure should generally not deviate too far (though she didn't say how much is too much). Ever since I learned that, my anxiety has generally been less regarding my blood pressure. Now when I have my BP checked, whether at home or in a medical setting, I don't panic if the top number is elevated. I only feel notably anxious if my diastolic pressure is 95+, although even that is not inherently bad in someone with anxiety. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scott1 0 Posted July 7, 2021 Thank you all. Today, I felt my heart like skip beats/beat weird as if my heart was trying to come up into my throat. It’s pretty scary. I just sat down. Anybody have this issue before? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MotherOfMaya 18 Posted July 7, 2021 47 minutes ago, Scott1 said: Thank you all. Today, I felt my heart like skip beats/beat weird as if my heart was trying to come up into my throat. It’s pretty scary. I just sat down. Anybody have this issue before? Yes, those are palpitations and can be completely related to anxiety and stress. I have had them on and off for many, many years. If they keep happening it's probably worth discussing with your doctor, but if it's a once-in-a-while thing I would not really worry, especially if it co-occurs during a high anxiety cycle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doug97 19 Posted September 9, 2021 On 7/7/2021 at 3:55 PM, Scott1 said: Thank you all. Today, I felt my heart like skip beats/beat weird as if my heart was trying to come up into my throat. It’s pretty scary. I just sat down. Anybody have this issue before? Yes I have those, the doc had me wear a heart monitor for 24 hours, it recorded them but they were the kind that are normal and not indicative of any problem. I did have high BP too but a small daily dose of ramipril has fixed it. Every relative I have has hypertension so for me it's obviously genetic. My dad was diagnosed with hyperextension the exact same age as I was! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
