Is It Normal To Experience Fluctuations In BP During The Day?

Posted on Thu, 2 Jul 2015

Question: Immediately I woke up, my BP reading is 150/99. I rested for 2 minutes and the reading was 150/100. I went defecate and measured again I got 140/97. I noticed my pressure was up yesterday before I went to bed. I think it just fluctuates. I wouldn't say it is always low in the evening.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Day-night blood pressure monitoring is necessary

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX!

Thank you for your question on HCM!

Regarding your concern, I would like to explain that it is normal to have higher values of blood pressure in healthy persons in the morning, caused by the high physiological levels of cortisol and catecholamines during this period.

It is important to investigate whether these high morning BP values are isolated or they persist during the day.

This fact would help to draw a better decision regarding the possible anti-hypertensive therapy.

For this purpose I recommend you to check frequently BP values during the entire day and to write them down. An ambulatory BP monitoring test would be very useful too.

After gathering this valuable information you need to discuss with your doctor and have some routine medical tests (ECG, thyroid hormone levels, complete blood count, liver and kidney function levels, blood electrolytes, fasting glucose, etc) to rule out any secondary causes of high blood pressure.

Hope to have been helpful!

Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!

Greetings! Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (54 minutes later)

Thank you replying. My does not stay high during the day.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome!

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

If you haven't high BP values during the day, then I would recommend an ambulatory BP monitoring test to clarify BP values during night time.

If high BP measurements are present during the night, an antihypertensive medical prescription would be advisable.

Sometimes, even a good sleep inducer therapy, would resolve high BP values concern.

Best regards! Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (47 minutes later)

Please do you know any good sleep inducer therapy? Where I stay I'm not sure if there is any ambulatory BP monitor

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You need to discuss with your doctor about these issues.

Detailed Answer:

Hi XXXX!

I would recommend Zolpidem before going to bed; as it induces more physiological sleep, but not for a long period of time (a few weeks). You may use 2.5 to 5 mg per day finding the lowest effective dose. You have to discuss with your attending physician about that.

Regarding ambulatory BP monitoring test, it is enabled by wearing for 24 hours a simple device, that measures on a defined time schedule (every 30 min or every hour as programmed) blood pressure values, keeping in memory and transfering to a computer after that. It helps to explore BP trends during day-night period.
It is a simple device, and is found in almost every cardiology studio, medical center and hospital. I believe that for sure it is available on your living area or nearby. You just have to ask.

Wishing you a good health! Regards! Dr. Iliri

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar