Question about blood pressure?

Question:

my top number was real high like 151 and my bottom was 84. When I took it I was having an anxiety episode but i'm very woried. Should I see a Doctor tonight or wait till morning? I've always heard it was the bottom number that matters but I just read something that stated otherwise. My top number was very high but like I said I was VERY nervous when I took it.

Answers:
I'm glad you asked here, before going down to your local ER. I don't think hypertension is something you're going to get good treatment for at an ER anyway.

For the purposes of diagnosing hypertension, you need a resting BP. The best way to determine resting BP is to take it in the morning (before all of the pressures, food, and medication of the day ensue.) Sit in a chair with feet flat on the floor, resting for a few minutes. If you don't have a BP cuff, go out and find a good digital model from your local drug store. Ask your pharmacist for a recommendation, to make sure you get a good, reliable, model that fits your arm and gives you the features you are looking for. You shouldn't need to spend more than $50 or so.

Take several of these readings over a few days to get an idea of if you really have hypertension. If you do, it's a good idea to see a doctor.

You can try quite a few things, yourself, if it is only modestly elevated. Just cutting down on sodium or increasing potassium intake can make a difference for some people. For others, losing weight, quitting smoking, cutting out caffeine or alcohol, increasing exercise, etc. can all play a part.

Blood pressure can vary from one minute to the next,. and yes - it can be altered by stress and immediate experiences.

It can also be affeced by many other factors- just crossing the street (in some cases) can cause a rise in blood pressure.
If some immediate stress or a situation caused a temporary rise in blood pressure - you are probably Ok. .
If a high reading is just a "fluke" it doesn't warrant emergency treatment. However, if your blood pressure is consistently high you should see a doctor.

u dont need to go tonite unless you have other symptoms. u allready know it was from anxiety. go to your md asap just to reassure yourself. the lower number should be 80 or below., so your not bad. also, in general one takes a blood pressure after resting 15 minutes. so u can also try again in a few. but the more times u take it in a row, it will keep climbing.goodluck;)michele

Your right, a top number more than 140 mm Hg (even with a normal bottom number) is consider to be high, a.k.a systolic hypertension...Take a rest for 15 minutes and have it recheck. If your blood pressure is persistently more than 140 mmHg go to a doctor You need not go to the emergency room unless this was accompanied by headache, dizziness etc.

Question about blood pressure?

Health Resources