IC_Clearly said:
I am 59 (and a 20 mile a week runner) and have had an several incidents over
a couple of years with my BP. It seems when I visit the doc my BP will
shoot up to the 160/100 range (not every time but more often than not).
A well-known problem with getting accurate readings: it's the
tension of the exam that does it.
Quoted message said:recently had an insurance physical and it occurred when I went into the exam
room. By the way, the exam was pretty intense. A doc and a paramedic (at
the same time) in a 6 X 8 exam room. One stuck me with needles and pasted
EKG leads on my chest while the other ran me through the 100 question
routine in the span of 20 minutes. I was pretty uptight (don't like needles
at all). It also occurred within an hour of finishing a meal (if that
matters).
They should have the BP taken first, not after the interrogation.
Quoted message said:In any event, I take my BP on a home machine several times a month.
Depending on the time of day, it will hover around 115/75 and sometimes will
spike up to 140/90. The higher readings seem to occur later in the day
through mid afternoon when they do occur (which is a few times a month).
Has this machine been calibrated?
Quoted message said:When this problem first occurred a couple of years ago, my primary care
doctor suggested I purchase a home machine and jot down my readings
throughout the day for a couple of weeks and then come back. I did and
actually brought the BP machine to compare with his (we were close). He
called my situation "white coat" and did not see it as a problem. He said
to keep an eye on it and if it became a consistent problem come back and we
could look at treatment.I have a couple of questions. One, is this unusual and two will over the
counter diuretics have any effect? I need to get my BP down when I go into
the exam room.
It's not at all unusual. OTC diuretics will NOT help the problem,
and just tell the insurance examiners that your primary doctor is
aware that you have "white coat hypertension". Bring the home
readings with you. If they argue the point, tell them to wire
you for a 24 hour blood pressure measurement.
Tsu
--
To doubt everything or to believe everything
are two equally convenient solutions; both
dispense with the necessity of reflection.
- Jules Henri Poincaré