Blood Pressure

[muhdzailan]

I have a habit of being nervous while taking my blood pressure by my medical examiner.After taking my blood pressure,my medical examiner said that my blood pressure was 150/80.Eventually, my medical examiner gave me a 5 minute rest and measured my blood pressure once more.My blood pressure went down to 120/70.I was very pleased after all. Can you please give me some golden tips on how to combat my nervousness of taking my blood pressure? Can I fly an aircraft if I have high blood pressure?

[gingernut]

A blood pressure of 150/80 on initial contact with your ME sounds like a perfectly natural response to a stressful situation. Reassuringly, your BP did drop to "normal" within a few minutes.

For more info. see Buzz-Lightyears question (last post 12/4/01).

Also, a few extra tips; empty your bladder prior to exam, avoid obvious triggers prior to exam. (eg a night on the pop, lack of sleep etc), tell your doc how you feel, (he should repeat your bp if up initially), and avoid extremes of heat and cold prior to your exam.

You can actually perform some deep breathing exercises when having the test performed. Close your eyes, clear your mind ! (don't concentrate on the doc's actions), breathe in deep, silently counting to five, hold for five, breathe out counting to five. Use all your muscles when breathing in deep, (including stomach and shoulders and neck).

It all sounds a bit airy fairy, but it does actually work. If you don't believe me, beg, borrow or steal a home bp monitor (your friendly GP or practice nurse may be able to help), and try it for yourself.

Good luck!

[barbox]

Breathing exercise to lower blood pressure readings, it does work, I suffer from 'White Coat Syndrome', I know because I have my own BP machine (well worth buying).

When examiner begins to fit the 'cuff' start doing the following;

Close your eyes and imagine a sleeping bag or large pillow case at your feet, breath in and imagine pulling the bag up to your knees, exhale, then breath in again, pulling the bag to your waist, exhale, then 'pull' the bag over your head and imagine the warmth this gives,,,,,leave it there whilst the BP is 'counting' then vice versa,,,,breath out to take the bag back to your feet in 2 or 3 separtate steps.

This was passed onto me by a doctor who specialises in 'power sleeping and relaxation' exercises.

I failed a BP due to being 168/121 during medical, yet I KNOW I am normally 138/82 at 50 yrs of age.

With this info I passed at next attempt, no problem!.

It is also a nice exercise to relax when something or someone has really pissed you off!.

Try it and practice it, it DOES work!.