HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

How Can Elevated Blood Pressure Levels Be Treated?

I have high blood pressure. I had a check up with my general practitioner last week. It was high at that time and I was told to track it for several days and call back later this week. The systolic has been running between 193 to 220. Diastolic 96 to 137. Can this wait or should I go to an ER. My mother had a stroke when she was in her 60’s. I am 66. I appreciate your opinion. Thank you!
Mon, 25 Jun 2018
Report Abuse
Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

If your measurements are technically correct then this is too high to wait. I'll describe the necessary steps to complete an accurate measurement:

- remain sitting and calm for at least 5-10 minutes
- use a good-quality certified manometer
- while remaining at the sitting position let your arm rest on a solid surface leveled with your heart
- make sure you fit the manometer in the correct place (there are usually indications on the cuff for the correct positioning right above the branchial artery). You can palpate the branchial artery by touching lightly the skin close to the bend of the elbow.
- take one measurement and right down the result
- wait a couple of minutes and take another measurement. If the two measurements are not the same (don't expect exactly the same values though) then you should take another measurement. You should only use the lowest or the mean value of the two lowest results. For example, let's say that the first measurement is 195/112. If the second measurement is 192/113 then this is essentially the same result. If the second measurement is 175/103 then this is a definitely lower result that has to be measured again. Keep measuring every couple of minutes until the values remain stable or start rising. The lowest values are probably the most accurate ones. Remember to check both arms. The results of the measurements should be very close for the right and left arm.
- if your blood pressures are consistently high (particularly if they're very high
- more than 180/110) or if you develop symptoms of heart failure (like shortness of breath, leg swelling, etc) then these would be very good reasons to let your doctor know earlier.

The described procedure refers to the diagnostic part only. Treatment might be necessary even if you don't have very high values in measurements depending on your calculated cardiovascular risk. I don't have enough information to calculate that for you. Perhaps we can do it, in another question - if you provide more details like your lipid profile, the rest of your medical history, any other tests you've done (like a heart echo) etc.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
How Can Elevated Blood Pressure Levels Be Treated?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. If your measurements are technically correct then this is too high to wait. I ll describe the necessary steps to complete an accurate measurement: - remain sitting and calm for at least 5-10 minutes - use a good-quality certified manometer - while remaining at the sitting position let your arm rest on a solid surface leveled with your heart - make sure you fit the manometer in the correct place (there are usually indications on the cuff for the correct positioning right above the branchial artery). You can palpate the branchial artery by touching lightly the skin close to the bend of the elbow. - take one measurement and right down the result - wait a couple of minutes and take another measurement. If the two measurements are not the same (don t expect exactly the same values though) then you should take another measurement. You should only use the lowest or the mean value of the two lowest results. For example, let s say that the first measurement is 195/112. If the second measurement is 192/113 then this is essentially the same result. If the second measurement is 175/103 then this is a definitely lower result that has to be measured again. Keep measuring every couple of minutes until the values remain stable or start rising. The lowest values are probably the most accurate ones. Remember to check both arms. The results of the measurements should be very close for the right and left arm. - if your blood pressures are consistently high (particularly if they re very high - more than 180/110) or if you develop symptoms of heart failure (like shortness of breath, leg swelling, etc) then these would be very good reasons to let your doctor know earlier. The described procedure refers to the diagnostic part only. Treatment might be necessary even if you don t have very high values in measurements depending on your calculated cardiovascular risk. I don t have enough information to calculate that for you. Perhaps we can do it, in another question - if you provide more details like your lipid profile, the rest of your medical history, any other tests you ve done (like a heart echo) etc. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.