Question for all the pros on this site, some background information first. I got some labs done back in early April, they looked pretty good all things considered. My A1c was down to a 5.7, Total Cholesterol 178 (HDL 52, LDL 107). I had some ketones and my BUN was out of range but he contributed that to the meds (Jardiance 10mg and Metformin 500 mg). I am not on insulin.
So, I was feeling pretty good about it but for some reason my blood pressure was spiking. The first time they measured it, it was around 160/88 - I have never seen it that high in my life. We rechecked it about 45 minutes later and it had dropped to around 150/85. He told me to get a cuff and start checking it at home. I have done so, it was elevated for a few days, then got back down normal, now itâs up again. I have some nausea, face flushing, eyes burning, etc. but otherwise I feel ok for the most part (other than the anxiety over this which obviously isnât helpingâŚ). I messaged him a few days after my visit and he wanted a urine sample for kidney labs which I have not had time to go and submit (long story). Anybody seen this?
As a young person, your BP was probably 120/80. But, as we age, we see those numbers increase (typically).
The top number (systolic blood pressure) might increase 10 points after every 10 years of life above age 20 (just as a general guide). They put me on BP/cholesterol meds in my 30âs for a BP = 130/80
You should be familiar with what is a ânormalâ blood pressure for YOU because everyone is different. If you check your BP regularly, then you will know if it comes back really abnormal and you need to go straight to the hospital. If an ambulance ever shows up and your BP looks âfishy,â the medics will want to know what your BP normally runs. They want to know if something âunusualâ is occurring that is evident through BP numbers.
They generally treat heart pretty aggressively in diabetics because we have a high incidence of heart attack.
The general rule is that your heart might not be beating âeffectivelyâ when the top number hits 180 and you should go to the ER. I get pretty light headed if I hit 180/90. That being said, a lot of old Docs donât bat an eyelash at a BP = 220/100 because they see it all the time in old guys. It really depends on what is ânormalâ for you.
I took a guy to the hospital the other week for heart attack. He was a little pale, but his pulse felt normal and had a normal rate. He had been at an appointment for a physical that morning and BP was normal at that point. He just didnât feel good. He didnât look that bad, but he had some cardiac symptoms and kept complaining that he didnât feel well. Sure as â â â â , he was having a heart attack. Signs and symptoms can be subtle, so if you donât feel ânormal,â its always best to go in. If you see a BP that is abnormal for you, you go straight to the hospital, for sure.
As a 72 and 74 year old we are supposed to have blood pressures of 120/80. We take meds, eat well and exercise to meet that goal. The blood pressure goals for older people have been tightened.
Having a higher blood pressure at the doctorâs office is not unusual. Many people have white coat syndrome.
I definitely have white coat syndrome. And the weird thing is I work in a white coat and all my coworkers have the same coat. I just get anxious in the drs office. My blood pressure has been inexplicably low and my heart rate is also low.
There seems to be no reason for and and I lived 15 days on a heart monitor to figure it out.
They ended up saying, I think itâs normal for you.
So I gave up taking the ace inhibitors because they make me black out when I stand.
Every new doctor and nurse tells me I should be on an ace inhibitor and a statin, without knowing anything about me.
My doctor prescribed me with more salt. That was the last time we talked about it.
@mohe0001 I have been checking it sporadically for a few weeks and it is generally around 135-145/85-90, somewhere in that neighborhood. It seems to have elevated, granted we/I have not been paying close attention to until now so I donât know exactly to what degree. I am a 53 y/o male, T2 on meds (no insulin), I suspect he was being a bit cautious, and I appreciate that. I am on a low dose of Cholesterol meds, we just upped it because we want my âbadâ Cholesterol to be lower, my total last month was 178.
My GP is incredibly patient about answering all my questions and concerns, I trust him implicitly. I havenât felt 100% for a few weeks (nausea, face flushing, eyes burning/tingling, etc.), almost like I have a bug or something. I have had Covid 2X and it feels a bit like that, if not quite as severe. I am going to keep an eye on it and try not to let the anxiety get the better of me. Thanks for all the input.
