Is this controlled high blood pressure?

[dantescritic]

 I am on Benicar hct for high blood pressure, however my systolic is almost always between 125/150 and occasionally spikes past 150 "although usually just if I take like 10 readings at once"  is this technically treated? Or should I ask my doctor for more meds?

 Like todays readings were

130/71
147/91
130/83
125/85
133/81
141/83
124/78

 Is this controlled? Yesterday I got a reading of 170/100!!! But when I checked again it fell to 132/80. Am I in the danger zone still? Can I rest easy that I wont drop dead in the next few days?

 Please get back to me

[afuser11]

Consult your physician. "Controlled" will depend on several factors.

I worry about my BP a lot, it can be as high as 150/100 in the doctors offive, often 120/80 before I leave, and 110/70 and under when i measure it at home. BP varies a lot.

[dantescritic]

thanks c, already made an appointment but have to wait a week.  If anyone can at least tell me if these numbers are technically controlled that would be great.

[afuser11]

Well 140/90 is Stage-1 hypertension. None of the values you listed are dangerously high/require an ER visit (not giving medical advice just saying if i saw them on my machine i wouldnt be too worried). What was your average BP prior to starting the benicar?

[dantescritic]

Well 140/90 is Stage-1 hypertension. None of the values you listed are dangerously high/require an ER visit (not giving medical advice just saying if i saw them on my machine i wouldnt be too worried). What was your average BP prior to starting the benicar?

Im not sure I could give you an average mate, but it was absurdly high. I was smoking heavily, 20 pounds more overweight and drinking heavily too. My worst reading ever was 191/100 and the doctor wanted to start me on anti-hypertensives after a few readings about 165, so I guess considering all of that it's gotten better. I just get worried that it's still terrible and that maybe the odd high readings I get will kill me or technically mean its untreated.  Worst reading I had this week was 171/70 although I took it 3 minutes after and it was 133/72.

 Thanks so much for responding CB, your a world of help right now. I think if I could conquer HBP totally "Below 120" then I wouldn't have any anxiety. Although maybe my anxiety is undue with these readings, think I may be being a little too serious?

 Thanks, DC

[afuser11]

Well 140/90 is Stage-1 hypertension. None of the values you listed are dangerously high/require an ER visit (not giving medical advice just saying if i saw them on my machine i wouldnt be too worried). What was your average BP prior to starting the benicar?

Im not sure I could give you an average mate, but it was absurdly high. I was smoking heavily, 20 pounds more overweight and drinking heavily too. My worst reading ever was 191/100 and the doctor wanted to start me on anti-hypertensives after a few readings about 165, so I guess considering all of that it's gotten better. I just get worried that it's still terrible and that maybe the odd high readings I get will kill me or technically mean its untreated.  Worst reading I had this week was 171/70 although I took it 3 minutes after and it was 133/72.

 Thanks so much for responding CB, your a world of help right now. I think if I could conquer HBP totally "Below 120" then I wouldn't have any anxiety. Although maybe my anxiety is undue with these readings, think I may be being a little too serious?

 Thanks, DC

If you were in the 165 range (systolic) you were in the stage 2 range. Congrats on lowering yourself down, believe your peripheral vasculature and internal organs are thanking you right now!

Anxiety can cause a transient increase in BP. During panic attacks my BP has been in the 160s/100s, usually my BP is well under 120/80.

Your readings now are pretty good. Do discuss it w your doctor to see if thats where he ultimately wants you.

[U2Bad1]

Been consulting with doctor on the blood pressure thing.  Last reading in the drs office was 140/100 but he wasn't concerned since I told him readings at home are 130s over 80s.  He put me on a low dose beta blocker because he thinks that it will help a little with the anxiety and help with the blood pressure also.  We both are in a Drs care so nothing to worry about.

[U2Bad1]

Also in your range i would not be concerned at all about "dropping dead".

[dantescritic]

 Thanks guys I have a doctors appointment with thursday. If he wants me on something i'll talk to him about possible diuretics? Ive heard thats usually the first treatment, although my doctor skipped that and put me right on Benicar. Perhaps that could bring it down even farther.

[dantescritic]

 So guys basically one high reading doesnt mean anything as blood pressure can vary greatly right? It's only when I keep checking and it is consistently high that I should worry?


 Also I just noticed a trigger! I ate some salty pretzels and my bp was more elevated than usual 154/76. I guess sodium really can increase blood pressure in some people? I always thought it was a myth. Although even with this reading I checked again and it was 131/77

[afuser11]

1 bp reading is not treated, unless it is an emergency (120 diastolic+ usu. is a hypertensive crisis), the lower number (diastolic) is more significant since it plays a bigger role in determining your mean arterial pressure (2/3rds of the cardiac cycle are spent in diastole)

[dantescritic]

1 bp reading is not treated, unless it is an emergency (120 diastolic+ usu. is a hypertensive crisis), the lower number (diastolic) is more significant since it plays a bigger role in determining your mean arterial pressure (2/3rds of the cardiac cycle are spent in diastole)

 In other words, I should be happy that my diastolic is fairly normal since it is used more? Systolic isn't as important, but certainly should still be watched right? What did you mean by 1 bp reading is not treated?

[afuser11]

1 bp reading is not treated, unless it is an emergency (120 diastolic+ usu. is a hypertensive crisis), the lower number (diastolic) is more significant since it plays a bigger role in determining your mean arterial pressure (2/3rds of the cardiac cycle are spent in diastole)

 In other words, I should be happy that my diastolic is fairly normal since it is used more? Systolic isn't as important, but certainly should still be watched right? What did you mean by 1 bp reading is not treated?

Yes and yes.

If you go to your PCP and have a reading of 150/90, the doctor is going to say, "we'll keep an eye on it and recheck it at your next visit."