Hello, I am totally new here. I am thankful I found this site because I have been experienceing some nutty symptoms in my body, and I have a feeling it may be perimenopause. Besides my periods being completely irradic now, and head pains, leg pains, shortness of breath, off balance, and the horrible anxious feeling all the time, I also MAY have high blood pressure.
The reason I say MAY is because it only seems to be high in the doctors office and I'm always so nervous there.
So the nurse there told me to go to Walmart once a week, and check it out with the Walmart BP machine. My last visit my BP was 160/100, but my doctor didn't seem the least bit concerned, and didn't even mention it to me, I had to bring it up. He seemed to shrug it off, and said something about "this time of your life", so I'm guessing he must have meant that at this time of life for us, this can happen. I have read a lot on the internet about that too. I have done my BP on those Walmart machines before, and they tighten that thing so hard, it makes me actually lightheaded. The only time my BP seems to be THAT high is when I'm in the doctors office, because when I am at Walmart, it's not that high. The other day, it was 134/83.
Can someone here please tell me if those machines are reliable and if we can really put any trust in them.

Thank you so much.

Bluesnowflakes

I use them bluesnowflakes. I think as long as you use the same one each time, you should get a pretty accurate reading.

My dr. offered to do mine once a week if I could come in, but it's an hour away and I couldn't do that.

I also bought a digital home monitor because my bp went up very high and dr. has me on bcp, so I have to monitor mine frequently.

I think the key is using the same one and if you are concerned, let your dr. know.

Best wishes,

bev

Hmm...Walmart BP machines...it all depends on how often they're calibrated. I don't think I would trust them. Why not spring for your own machine? The ones with the manual pump and cuff aren't that expensive?

I cannot believe your doctor isn't concerned with a diastolic of 100. Do you like and trust this guy? It might be a good idea to get a second opinion....just a thought...

I agree with RR, I wouldn't trust them. It's worth buying a good Omron. It's possible the diastolic is an isolated one, possibly brought on by just being in the Drs office. The only way to know is to get your own and take it twice/day for a week, under proper conditions.

A blood pressure LESS THAN 120/80 is considered optimal. 120 -139/ 89 is considered prehypertension and anything over 140/90 is considered hypertension. It is very important to monitor your blood pressure regularly and accurately since uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause a host of health problems. I agree with Robin, your best bet is to purchase a home blood pressure monitor (the automatic ones are considered to be pretty accurate). The ideal is to have your BP taken in your doctiors office weekly for the most accurate results but that is not always feasible.

The other thing I can suggest is that when you do go your doctor, have them take your BP when you first get there and again when your exam is complete. It usually comes down after you have relaxed for a while.

Since high BP is considered a silent disease (no symptoms) it really is important to have your BP screened regularly. If you are diagnosed with hypertension, it really is treated easily - sometimes with simple lifestyle changes and sometimes medication is required. The important thing is to KNOW if you have hypertension and to treat it appropriately. Good luck!

Maura

Dear blue:

I would like to jump in here and say there is something called "Whitecoat Hypertension" and it is a known fact that a lot of people's BP rises when in the doctor's office because there are extremely nervous about being there.

I have a friend who does have high BP disease and is medicated for it BUT when she goes to the doctor her BP is usually very high we are talking about 200-240/90-120. Her normal BP at home with meds is 120-130/70-80. Therefore she has been diagnosed with whitecoat hypertension as well as high BP.

So please dont worry until you find that your BP at home is higher than what is good for you. I would recommend buying a machine of your own and using it. It should be calibrated once a month and can be done at your local pharmacy.

I hope this helps some.
Hugs to you and Merry Christmas,
Jeaninne

The last time I went to the doctor's office my blood pressure was abnormally high. I figured it was because I was there for my annual exam! And it probably was. My pressure is always up when I visit the doctor, but when I take it at home its usually around 125/75 or lower. The PA who did my exam told me to make a chart, take my blood pressure at home twice a day, and indicate on the chart what I was doing just before taking my pressure. I'm supposed to do that for a month, then make an appointment with my regular doctor to discuss the readings. For one reading I use a digital BP machine that I purchased. My husband (he's a mental health RN) takes the second reading, at a different time of day, with the regular stethoscope-type apparatus. I wouldn't use the machines at Wal-Mart myself . . . they may be good, but my blood pressure probably goes up just from stepping into the store! I have a friend who used the machines at Wal-Greens though, and found them to be pretty accurate.

Blowing your high readings off as just being part of "that time of life" doesn't show much concern by your doctor. I agree with RoundRobin . . . get a second opinion if at all possible. Too many times doctors just seem to go through the motions.

Bluesnowflakes,....yes, this also happens to me! When I get my BP checked by the dr. it is usually higher than usual, I am SO DARN NERVOUS to even step foot in there, my BP just skyrockets! I definately have white coat syndrome! This may be your problem Blue, .. also, try to get enough sleep, I know that also affects BP. I can't speak to the Walmart machine thingy, I haven't used them, but from what I have heard, they are reliable, but then again, I guess you don't really know.
I would imagine buying one of your own, would be the best bet. But, dont add worry to the mix, that'll only make things worse. Have you tried something called "CALM", it's a magnesium citrate powder that you buy at a health food store, and you mix it with boiling water, and enjoy it like a tea, I can't stay it tastes to great, but it doesn't taste awful either. It's not bad.
It is a relaxant....this should also help your BP. Many people here take mag. pills, which are also good, I just go for the powder, since it absorbs faster and is easier on the intestines and such.

Do you take any kind of anti-anxiety med.? I take xanax, and it really helps, and it helps with the BP too.