Excessively high BP at bedtime although has been fairly normal during day.
BP fairly normal during day, but goes excessively high by 9 or 10 PM. I am taking Lisinopril/HCTZ (20/25) at about 8:00 AM, HTCZ 25 mg about 3:00 PM, and Dilt-XR 120 mg cap SA at about 9:00 PM. Yesterday's readings are a good example of how my BP has been running: 7:20 AM--125/62, 2:00 PM--132/60, 8:40 PM--145/71. At 10:50 PM I took 4 consecutive readings hoping that by relaxing it would get lower. These are as follows : 192/71, 173/73, 160/73, and 153/70. My pulse range for all the readings were from 69 to 77. I try to be relaxed when I take my BP. I smoke, but I am trying to quit by tapering off and am down to less than 1/2 pack now from close to a whole pack before. Could this rise of my BP at night be from an accumulation of cigaretts smoked during the day? Do you have any other theory or suggestions?
Carole,
The fact that your pressure fell over the four readings does indicate that relaxing has a positive effect. Sometimes the more you take your pressure, the higher it goes due to subconscious anxiety about your pressure.
One idea is to take the Cardizem earlier in the day to give you better evening coverage.
Of course, never make any medication changes without the knowledge of your physician and his approval or suggestions.
Nicotine can cause some vasoconstriction of blood vessels and may have an effect, but this is theoretical. Certainly, smoking cessation is the way to go, especially for someone who is so health conscious.
Best wishes.
Martin Cane, M.D.
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