High Blood Pressure Support Group

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a medical condition wherein the blood pressure is chronically elevated. Persistent hypertension is one of the risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and arterial aneurysm, and is a leading cause of chronic renal failure. Doctors recommend weight loss and regular exercise as the first steps in treating mild to moderate...

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/ High Blood Pressure Support Group

Fear of Having BP Taken

Ltb3105
Ltb3105
Hi all new here. For the past five years or so, every time I go to any doctor, even the eye doctor or allergist, my BP spikes. The doctors told me to buy a blood pressure monitor and take it several times a day for two weeks. Well, 5 yrs. ago, it worked fine, and my BP readings would always be around the high normal range. Lately, I have developed a phobia and every time my BP is taken, even at home, it is sky high. I take Benicar, 40 mg. every day,, work out and eat right. I have absolutely no symptoms and feel great, but I must add I do have an anxiety and panic attack disorder, so when I feel stressed, my BP also goes up.

My question is, if I have such a fear of taking my BP, how am I ever going to get a normal reading? Is it possible that my med needs to be increased? Is it also possible to get a normal reading when the med is at the proper dose even if you are highly nervous?

It's getting to the point where I don't even want to go see any of my doctors. I always tell them I suffer from "white coat syndrome" and now I can add "BP monitor disorder"....lol!

Thanks for any advice.
deleted_user
deleted_user
The only thing that has worked for me is act like you are trying to beat the last reading. I got terrible bp after the birth of my son. Even when I was in the hospital with him and the nurses came on each shift to take it I would freak out worrying about how high it would be and of course it was high. After leaving the hospital I had to see my regular dr. pretty frequently and one day I just started thinking "let me see if this reading can be lower than the last" so instead of thinking about how high it would be, I began thinking how low it can be.
Ltb3105
Ltb3105
One of my doctors told me to meditate and try to concemtrate on something else, but that's impossible. The harder I try to relax, the worse I get! It doesn't help having an anxiety disorder, as these symptoms can mimic those of a heart attack!
Christine1976
Christine1976
Try taking it while laying down ....it's easier to shut your eyes and breathe deeply...do that for a minute or do before you push the button to take it.
Ltb3105
Ltb3105
I've tried everything but just thinking about taking my BP reading sends me into a panic, it's turning into a vicious cycle! I've even taken a Xanax or two and waited 30 minutes to take effect and I still was freaking out. Maybe the dosage isn't high enough? If it is effective, shouldn't my readings be lower despite being nervous?
Christine1976
Christine1976
I think you have anixety it's still going to go up on the med....but probably just not as high as it did before. I haven't gone back to the Dr since being on this BP Med but last year when I was on it my BP was still high at the dr....but it was like 140's over 90's.....instead of 180's/100's. And xanax (unless maybe at a higher dose....I only take .25 mgs) didn't stop my bp from going up. My heart rate was always fine but my bp was still high after I took it.
It is possible that you might need more med. But another thing is you really shouldn't take it maybe more than 3 times a day (once in the morning, noon, and eve)....I've only been taking mine at night.
Ltb3105
Ltb3105
My heart rate and pulse are fine. I can tell that when my take my Xanax pills at home when highly anxious, I calm down considerably within 30 minutes or so...however, the meds do NOT work, as I have taken them before an appt. and my BP reading would still be high.

I just hope that the dr. can adjust my meds so that even when I'm anxious, it will be a lower reading.....vicious cycle, I tell ya!
Christine1976
Christine1976
I'm new to this and don't know alot about medications I'm not on so I don't really know anything about the one you are on. I am on Atenolol and my Dr said that it also works to block adreneline.....so it's actually helped my anxiety. I haven't taken my xanax at all in the two weeks I've been on it....and I was taking it twice a week before. So you might also want to ask your dr about something that might work for both of them.
Ltb3105
Ltb3105
Thank you for responding all. I'm not looking for medical info but more support than anything. I appreciate all the suggestions.
JohnD1
JohnD1
A 24-hour blood pressure monitor helps give a more realistic measure of BP, as it takes pressures every half hour as you go about your normal day (hourly at night). My last 24-hour monitoring showed a very high first few readings (while at doctor's, and just after) then it settled right down.

My GP has pretty much given up taking my BP when I go visit him as he knows it will spike really high.

John
bmason
bmason
I had the same problem. we get these negative thoughts in our head and the more we think them, they get into out subconsious mind. we have train our subsonsious mind to think positive (which is what Im working at), If your excersiesing and eatting better, then keep telling yourself (out loud so you can hear your words) that it is lowering your blood pressure, tell yourself that your going to have lower readings because of what your doing. when you take your bp and even if its high, smile and say that its getting better, I cant wait to see it lower the next time. keep on doing that so it will get into your subconsious mind.
kbr0632
kbr0632
I hate having my bp taken..and just thinking about having to take it on my own...I would freak out and my bp would be high. Somehow I just accepted that it might be high. Of course, I am not like this at the doctors and it all depends on how I am feeling...anxiety and panic really mess us up..I know all too well. BUT ANYWAY..I would just say "hey it may be high..." and expect it to be high. Allow it. That would take the tension down a little...and it would be fine. It is scary. We want it to be perfect...and we obsess about it and the more we do that, I guess the higher it gets. I feel for you. I totally understand what you are going through.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Whenever I go to the Doctor my blood pressure is VERY high!!!!!!!!!!!
Usually 178/90 something. I know it's anxiety related because at home it's usually 116/60 something. I take 2.5 mg of Enalapril in the evening. I do have occasional spikes at home but they don't last.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Boy do I understand this- i have massive phobias about doctors in general and when i use the bp cuff its all i can do to keep from hyperventilating- tonight 137/79 then i leave cuff on - take several deep breaths and remind myself that God is holding my right hand- and hit the button again- 127/79- at the docs ALWAYS 140-150 over 80 something and it doesn;t change altho he has tried several meds- if they ever put a 24hr cuff on me I would have to be knocked out or I would pass out!!! I guess i will continue to see doc every 6mo, keep trying to lower my wt- keep walking , keep praying and maybe kill a few people around me to lower my stress at home an work.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I found a video on utube and it is not the video I was interested in but rather the audio. It is of a running stream in the mountains. I put this running water sound on close my eyes relax and pretend I am sitting by a stream in the mountains. I meditate like this for five to ten minutes then I put on the cuff and while still meditating take my pressure. You can find the video by googling (soothing creek)
Give it a try It seems to help me.
Ltb3105
Ltb3105
Went for root canal last week, dentist took BP, it was so high he wasn't going to do the procedure! He made me lay down and took it again a few minutes later....it was still high, but ok for him to do the root canal.

I don't understand why I have such a fear....the moment I see that cuff, I can feel the panic beginning immediately! I tried to explain to the dentist about my phobia, but he told me my BP was too high to be just a phobia!!!! The eye doctor told me the same thing a few mos. ago and wanted to send me to the ER!

I take Benicar 40 mg and am monitored by the doctor that prescribed it. I'm supposed to go back to the dentist end of this month to finish up with the root canal, needless to say, I am terrified.....how I am supposed to get through with any doc appt. or procedure while having this phobia?????