Blood Pressure

Take an aspirin, stay calm by doing deep breathing

 

I have the same problem with my BP getting it checked at the DR office. I usually sit for 10 to 20 minutes, the longer the better, and then have it checked. I breathe short and shallow when its done and that generally works for me. Sometime the other arm will give you different results.

 

There are certain foods that will lower your BP. Bananas, baked potato, raisins, certain unsalted nuts, Google it and see the list. Remember, NO SALT.
Close your eyes and relax after you are seated for the test. DO NOT think about the nurse !

You can do this, I have had to do it several times.

 

Lab? They take blood?

 

CYCLMN, (and everybody else,) just a FWIW here. Don't use those BP monitors at Walmart or any other place where they just sit out and everybody messes with them. They are played with by hundreds of kids, they are not calibrated or cleaned.

If you must keep track of your own BP, get a home use blood pressure cuff and learn how to use it. Your doctor's assistant should be able to show you how to do it. Or even the pharmacist where it is sold.

As to having "Doctor's Office Nerves," it is not at all uncommon. See if they will take it a couple of times over about a half hour period. And relax.

 

Ask them to take it with you laying down on your left side. They will cuff your right arm, it works every time.

 

My wife calls it White Coat Syndrome. Just get nervous around nurses and doctors. I have the problem as well. I always have elevated BP when I have to get my physical. Breathing techniques help but hear is link. Also get them to try the other arm if one fails.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_coat_hypertension

 

I always fail the first test, even though my blood pressure is normal at home, the morning of the DOT physical. I'm on blood pressure medication, so I take an extra pill about 3am before the DOT physical, even though no doctor on this planet will recommend that.

 

Anxiety is something I deal with too so I totally know where you are coming from... I have recently tried some meditation to focus on your breathing and breathe so your belly moves up and down, not your chest..it helps to stimulate a nerve that will lower your heart rate.

I've done some research and BP is one of those measurements that changes all the time, I have read it is best to sit and NOT be supporting your own arm, kinda like at Wal Mart how it's resting in the cuff holder..

Exercise would help too..