At the beginning of the week I was stressing about my new class, and I had -- why, I don't know -- scheduled a full day of scoring on Wednesday between class days. Yesterday I had some running around to do before class, and I had a check-up scheduled this morning. All I wanted to do was spend today in peace and quiet, maybe even cleaning out my garage. It's a beautiful day! When I went in for my check-up -- a gynocologist appointment, and my lady parts are fine, thanks -- my blood pressure was high. I attributed it to pre-exam jitters, but the nurse was concerned enought that she said she would take it again before I left. She did, and it was higher, "scary high", as my doctor put it. My doctor was so concerned that she asked if I had time to relax in the waiting room for twenty minutes or so. I did. My doctor took my blood pressure herself, and sat with me for awhile before she did. She had even brought out some Coastal Living magazines to flip through to help me relax. She's a very kind person.
When my doctor checked my pressure, it was even higher than the previous two readings, 176/98. I should mention that I've never had high blood pressure unless there was something weird going on -- a car accident, an allergic reaction, etc. She told me to call my primary care doctor and see him as soon as I could. She didn't think I needed to go to the ER -- I didn't have a headache and felt fine other than being a bit flushed on my face and neck -- but she also didn't think I should wait until my physical in April. And wouldn't you know it, my doctor leaves the office early on Fridays. So I got an appointment with the nurse practitioner, whom I'd never met, and when the nurse at that office took my blood pressure it was higher still, 180/110! The physician's assistant said that it might be a virus and that I should take it easy over the weekend. She also prescribed a diuretic, which she said should help. She didn't have to tell me twice to relax. That's all I've wanted to do all day. The garage can wait a little longer.
Hi Bernadette. I just happened across your blog after doing an Internet search for Flirting With Fifty. After reading this post, I had to comment. I allegedly have a condition referred to as "white coat syndrome" by medical professionals. It was discovered two years ago when I signed up for a research study that required a normal blood pressure reading several times a day. I failed the study because my blood pressure was too high after a week of having it taken several times a day. I had never had high blood pressure before. My personal doctor said it was anxiety about having my blood pressure taken. She advised me to get a good blood pressure screening machine to use at home to monitor myself. My blood pressure still read high most times when I went to the doctor, but over time, it began to read normal again after the anxiety receded. Just a thought about what could be happening with you. I hope yours gets better.
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ReplyDeleteThanks for the good wishes, and for sharing! I've heard of "white coat syndrome" before but had never experienced it. I'm glad your blood pressure is okay. I'm hoping mine settles down too : )
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