I am a 26 yr old female, living with high blood pressure. This depress's me so much. I developed HBP, when I became pregnant with my son, 5 years ago. I have a family history of high blood pressure and my mother and sister are highly anixous people. Last monday I drank a little to much wine and a vicadin, yes I know this is really stupid but I was so anixous that I just wanted that feeling to go away, I woke up in the middle of the night due to my heart ponding, I was so scared but it do go away it about 30 minutes, I have made an appointment to see a doctor, not the same doctor I regularly see, since I got different insurance, I hate seeing new doctors because I get so anixous when they check my BP that I truly believe it is higher then what it is, I know i suffer from hypertension, but how do I calm down enough not to get so anixous when my BP is taken??
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Q: THIS IS MY FIRST TIME ON THE SITE. NEED SOME CLARITY..
Hello Martha,
The above answer raises an excellent solution to your blood pressure issues. White coat syndrome is common!
If you feel that your pressure in the Dr's office is higher than it normally is at home - which is an extremely common complaint - then give yourself the piece of mind of checking it at home with a home monitor. Evidence suggests that home BPs (when you are calm and at rest) are more predictive of heart disease than office BPs. Also, by recording values throughout the day, you can give your physician an excellent timeline of your blood pressure.
Anxiety plays a large role in high blood pressure. You and your physician may find it helpful to treat anxiety with therapy and medications, too, in order to maximize your BP control.
Lastly, if you are not comfortable with your physician, remember that they exist to help YOU live a healthier, longer life. If your personalities clash, or they are not able to adequately put you at ease, seek another doctor. Try suggestions of family and friends in your area of doctors they know and trust.
Best of luck,
Neil MD
Hi Martha,
I suffer from "white coat syndrome" too. My readings at the doctor's will be quite a bit higher than it is normally. Do you have a BP monitor that you can use at home? I've found that my BP is much more normal when I'm at home where I don't feel like I'm "under the microscope" as I feel at the doctor's office.
learn to take your own. This give you and health care team more data to work with. Lean how at sharedcareinc.com
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