Blood pressure

[fuse]

Not sure if Im a biological oddity but mine is at the lower end of optimal when completely relaxed but reaches into hypertension when normal service is resumed
Im busy but dont tear around like a loony

After a recent routine checkup where I hit the highscore, I have been given a daily chart to scribble.

Following the monitors instructions and that of the practice nurse to be in a docile state when reads are taken,this will therefore give an unrealistic picture.
What would you do?

 

[Accipiter]

Hi Martin... mmm! My docs/BP nurses keep telling me I have hypertension... from the readings I collect over a week period and when they've checked me at the check up. I got myself a BP monitor... did daily checks morning (on getting up), mid day and evening...

*speaking personally* - I don't worry about it NOW after I got myself a Samsung Fitbit 3 just under a week ago and watching the readings on that I'm not concerned. Today's range is from 56 to 118... other days have been up to 122 top - doing various things during the day. Presently shows 84bpm...

I stumbled across a video on YouTube about BP in "older generations". You can make your own mind up from it. It makes sense to me - it's something I'll discuss with my doctor etc., next time

 

[AJB Temple]

White coat syndrome can be a factor. My BP shoots up when my doctor measures it, but a 24 hour monitoring device showed no issues. Mine (post serious weight loss) borders on low - to the point where I have fainted a few times in public places, which is less than ideal.

 

[SamQ aka Ah! Q!]

I'm on several b.p. meds. I'm a Type 2 diabetic and have had Chronic Kidney Disease, Stage 3a....so, I keep a wary eye on b.p., stats, meds and diet.
From this, I have a healthy scepticism toward 'smart watch' diagnostics. Mine regularly misrepresents saturation and pressures - as compared to fingernail capillary bed monitors and conventional sphygmanometers.
That said, they provide a "ballpark" figure.
White coat syndrome is a real thing. I'm not highly influenced by it, but a dear friend is. People vary.
Your b.p. is a notoriously fickle thing. Resting, calmly, to have it done is everything. Mine starts at about 150/80, but descends to 130/80 with mindfulness and focusing on nothing.
Time of day and meal times can catch you out too.Try upon wakening versus just before sitting down for lunch. Don't dial 999, in panic at the contrast,just chill and repeat 5 mins later.

 

[Mike]

I stumbled across a video on YouTube about BP in "older generations". You can make your own mind up from it. It makes sense to me - it's something I'll discuss with my doctor etc., next time

I'm becoming a cynic about the validity of experts on YouTube, especially in the medical field. This new channel (created in April 2026) looks and sounds like an AI creation. I couldn't find any mention a cardiologist named Dr. Jason Collins after a quick Internet search.

 

[SamQ aka Ah! Q!]

...looks and sounds like an AI creation. I couldn't find any mention a cardiologist named Dr. Jason Collins after a quick Internet search.

Good call, that man!

 

[Accipiter]

I'm becoming a cynic about the validity of experts on YouTube, especially in the medical field. This new channel (created in April 2026) looks and sounds like an AI creation. I couldn't find any mention a cardiologist named Dr. Jason Collins after a quick Internet search.

I'm also cynical Mike... and not surprised nothing found for this 'doctor' . AI - little doubt but I can go with the *idea* it covers... One reason I said 'make your own mind up' - from the content mentioning BP in older folk.

Years ago I got put on BP meds after some readings. If anything, they appeared to have a negative effect: example; walk ½ mile to a local diy store (Homebase)... find something on the bottom shelf, crouch down to pick it up, stand up and go as dizzy as Fk. Id have to crouch back down, wait about a minute ot two before then, SLOWLY, stand up. Never fainted but... Reported to the docs reduced strength - little difference. I learned not to crouch/rise quickly. The doc/nurses made me become almost obsessed over my 'high' BP readings...

A few years back I had (still have) prostate issues. After a scan I was put on Tamulosin. As I was still on Losarten (Losartan sp?) for the BP I was told to take the Tamulosin at night because of the affect/effect it has on BP. Eventually my doc/BP nurses reduced the BP meds until I wasn't taking any and just the Tamulosin. Side affects of that, changed to Taddiifel and Finistride... Even now, BP checks nurses say 'high BP" BUT I no longer get the dizziness episodes, never fainted etc.,etc.

I'm also somewhat sceptical about the accuracy of such readings etc., on 'smart watches' but the readings it records have started to ease my concerns.