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What Causes Anxiety During BP Measurement?
Question: Hi ...my last bp reading was 123/70, and 120/80....is this ok ? Do I need to take medication? I do suffer from anxiety especially when taking my blood pressure even at home...I am also on lexapro for my health anxiety? I have in the past become obsessed with taking my blood pressure so I am trying to avoid getting obsessed with it again as it becomes a vicious cycle
Brief Answer:
It is good, no need to worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing through HCM.
I have read your query and understood that your anxiety increases when you start taking your BP.
123/70 is very good reading. Your blood pressure id within normal limit, there is no need to worry. Continue taking lexapro as advised.
Anxiety during BP measurement is very common and it has been given the name 'white collar hypertension' because doctor wear while apron and by seeing them person may develop anxiety and reading comes wrongly increased.
Hope I have answered your query. If you do not have further query then close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
It is good, no need to worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing through HCM.
I have read your query and understood that your anxiety increases when you start taking your BP.
123/70 is very good reading. Your blood pressure id within normal limit, there is no need to worry. Continue taking lexapro as advised.
Anxiety during BP measurement is very common and it has been given the name 'white collar hypertension' because doctor wear while apron and by seeing them person may develop anxiety and reading comes wrongly increased.
Hope I have answered your query. If you do not have further query then close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
So it can be totally normal for it to increase even into the 130's if I am anxious....I have developed this fear of taking my blood pressure way to many times and if I get a slightly high reading I panic and of course it becomes higher but it always comes back down...I am understood to believe that hypertension is a sustained increase in blood pressure where it is high all the time over 140/90.......becuase of this obsession I am developing do you think it is best to stop taking it for now and have it taken at yearly physicals?
Brief Answer:
Lower part of the BP is more important
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing again.
BP has two reading the upper one that is 120 and lower one that is 80. The lower one is called diastolic blood pressure and that is more important. The upper one is called systolic blood pressure and it can easily fluctuate with anxiety or any other stress.
So, if your lower reading is below 90 even when the upper one is higher, you need not worry.
Do not obsess with BP readings. Stop taking on your own and get it done by GP every six months. You shall be fine.
Hope I have answered your query. If you do not have further query then close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
Lower part of the BP is more important
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing again.
BP has two reading the upper one that is 120 and lower one that is 80. The lower one is called diastolic blood pressure and that is more important. The upper one is called systolic blood pressure and it can easily fluctuate with anxiety or any other stress.
So, if your lower reading is below 90 even when the upper one is higher, you need not worry.
Do not obsess with BP readings. Stop taking on your own and get it done by GP every six months. You shall be fine.
Hope I have answered your query. If you do not have further query then close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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