High blood pressure
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: New South Wales
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With respect, I cannot see why 140/85 is the BP to aim for.
QDM
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I fought the cholesterol/blood pressure battle up til August; I ran 4 miles/day, cut out fat (skin off chicken, etc), and still couldn't lose weight, lower blood pressure or cholesterol. But, I finally did, with remarkable results. How?
Read this book, those of you really interested: "Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution". Blood pressure way down (from over FAA limits), and cholesterol LDL down, and the ratio of HDL/LDL very much improved. Price $7.99; for those of you with problems with weight, triglycerides, cholesterol and/or blood pressure, it might save your life as well as your career.
Read this book, those of you really interested: "Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution". Blood pressure way down (from over FAA limits), and cholesterol LDL down, and the ratio of HDL/LDL very much improved. Price $7.99; for those of you with problems with weight, triglycerides, cholesterol and/or blood pressure, it might save your life as well as your career.
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I am 38 and have blood pressure which when I get up in the morning will be around 118/76 to 125/82. If I am tired it will normally be on the higher side of the above readings. Evening times, prior to bed they will sit at around 130/82 but on days off will often drop to around 125/75. I am not on medication, take it very easy on the salt and alcohol and swim and cycle a couple of times a week.
I am conserned that during the day, and when working hard or under pressure these readings go up significantly somtimes as high as 150/100. The highest I recorded was 168/112 but only once. It seems their is a significant variation in readings which concerns me. Should I be concerned at these higher, under stress readings as it seems my at rest blood pressure would be considered normal.
As I said previously, an individual's blood pressure varies enormously and it is the trend which is important. From the limited information you have given here, you do not seem abnormal.
Worry less about your blood pressure and you may find your white coat hypertension disappears. Or that it doesn't.
QDM
Join Date: Sep 2000
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Blood Pressure
QDM,I have just been snagged for hypertension.
My Bp has been classed as to render me unfit.
I have been monitoring my Bp for over two years now as comments have been made about it being borderline.During recent Ame tests.
My Bp at home around 135/85.Sometimes higher,sometimes less.
I am 44 and in good health.
I have recently changed AME due to retirement and find the wholething a real ordeal.I wish I could relax more but find it very difficult.I am now undergoing tests with a consultant who is convinced I have White coat syndrome.
Fact. I have lost my class One.
Fact This has been done on Bp taken under In my case Extreme anxiety about Failing.
Fact the Ame Recommended I go onto drugs to regulate Bp.
Fact the cost of this action to my comp in the last month around 10,000 pounds and rising.
Question Would it not be prudent before reaching for the ejection handles to try and put the patient at a little ease befofe rushing in to put a cuff around your arm.Would it also not be prudent to arrange for a 24 hour BP test,before pulling a ticket, to see the whole picture as my consultant has arranged.Your views would be welcome.
My Bp has been classed as to render me unfit.
I have been monitoring my Bp for over two years now as comments have been made about it being borderline.During recent Ame tests.
My Bp at home around 135/85.Sometimes higher,sometimes less.
I am 44 and in good health.
I have recently changed AME due to retirement and find the wholething a real ordeal.I wish I could relax more but find it very difficult.I am now undergoing tests with a consultant who is convinced I have White coat syndrome.
Fact. I have lost my class One.
Fact This has been done on Bp taken under In my case Extreme anxiety about Failing.
Fact the Ame Recommended I go onto drugs to regulate Bp.
Fact the cost of this action to my comp in the last month around 10,000 pounds and rising.
Question Would it not be prudent before reaching for the ejection handles to try and put the patient at a little ease befofe rushing in to put a cuff around your arm.Would it also not be prudent to arrange for a 24 hour BP test,before pulling a ticket, to see the whole picture as my consultant has arranged.Your views would be welcome.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: New South Wales
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BP measurement is a black art when it comes to measurement of borderline cases. It's very hard for me to comment on this situation as I don't know a) the particulars of it and b) the extent to which AMEs are able to go to assess your BP, before having to revoke your medical and refer you on for further assessment.
I can, however, well understand your frustration. Certainly, I would never take such a drastic decision on a single BP reading taken at the beginning of a consultation. It's important to get the patient at their ease and where there is doubt about the BP value and it is important, I generally get them to lie down in a quiet examination room for ten to 15 minutes and read the paper to relax, before retaking the BP.
QDM
I can, however, well understand your frustration. Certainly, I would never take such a drastic decision on a single BP reading taken at the beginning of a consultation. It's important to get the patient at their ease and where there is doubt about the BP value and it is important, I generally get them to lie down in a quiet examination room for ten to 15 minutes and read the paper to relax, before retaking the BP.
QDM
Join Date: Jul 2000
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Like Semaphore Sam I have used diet and exercise based lifestyle changes to moderate blood pressure and cholesterol. I used the Mens Health T-Plan, available from Amazon, interesting reading and gives specimen weekly diets and exercise routines for both gym and home based exercise. The best 10 quid I have spent for a while.
The Original Whirly
Join Date: Feb 1999
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INSIST on a 24 hour reading before taking the pills. I ALWAYS have a high BP reading - close to the CAA limit, if not over - when I go to a doctor, despite the fact I get on very well with my AME and don't knowingly feel nervous. I had a 24 hour reading after insisting that readings I took myself were normal, and the average over 24 hours was something like 122/80, and never went above the normal range, despite a "normally" stressful day...yelling at a few people, and getting annoyed with the bloody monitor strapped to me etc. I went to my AME with my 24 hour read-out in triumph, and definitely not nervous. He still couldn't get a normal reading, and "White Coat Hypertension" is now down officially on my form.
My feeling is that it's something pretty deep-rooted. I'm careful about my health, diet etc almost to the point of fanaticism, but I never go to a doctor if I can possibly avoid it, and I don't really know why. But I do know they raise my BP! But to tell you the truth I'm totally pissed off with this whole blood pressure obsession of the medical profession. When I did my Initial Class 1 at Gatwick, there were a series of charts there which I read in my spare time, relating high BP to sex, age, high cholesterol, etc, and the whole lot to risk of heart disease etc. I wish I'd asked for a copy, but my conclusion from a thorough reading of the charts was that if you were FEMALE, and had no other risk factors, your BP had to be absolutely sky high before it put you at risk of heart disease, strokes etc. Yet still doctors tut-tut at any single reading over 140/90. QDM, any comments???
My feeling is that it's something pretty deep-rooted. I'm careful about my health, diet etc almost to the point of fanaticism, but I never go to a doctor if I can possibly avoid it, and I don't really know why. But I do know they raise my BP! But to tell you the truth I'm totally pissed off with this whole blood pressure obsession of the medical profession. When I did my Initial Class 1 at Gatwick, there were a series of charts there which I read in my spare time, relating high BP to sex, age, high cholesterol, etc, and the whole lot to risk of heart disease etc. I wish I'd asked for a copy, but my conclusion from a thorough reading of the charts was that if you were FEMALE, and had no other risk factors, your BP had to be absolutely sky high before it put you at risk of heart disease, strokes etc. Yet still doctors tut-tut at any single reading over 140/90. QDM, any comments???
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I know exactly what you mean Whirly.I recently had a medical with my GP for my application to the Metropolitan Police and he was shocked that my BP was 160/92.I am male,32,over 6 ft and quite a determined drinker lol!! He did however say that he suspected it was due to tension in the surgery rather than high BP per se.Still I didn't believe him and ended up so worried I was going to be ill that I actually FELT ill.So the only solution was to get my own BP monitor and take my own readings over certain periods.The result being that I now KNOW that my normal BP is actually quite low compared to the norm (last reading yesterday was about 117/70 and am glad that I don't have one of these gp's that gives you pills on the basis of one reading (though I have never met one of these as my AME is excellent and has always asked me if I am tense after he has taken a reading....never thought much of it until now...probably the same thing as the police medical but the AME had the good sense not to get me worried about it.
One thing which I find quite strange is that BP can change so much over just a few minutes that I would dare to say that one-off BP readings must not be a reason to pull someones ticket.Rather use the 24 hour method if there is doubt.
Another interesting thing is that because I have my own machine I no longer have a fear of my own blood pressure or having it taken so I am hoping that this will go some way to alleviating the "white coat" syndrome.
Interestingly enough,I have discovered that a doc does not need to be present for this to happen as when I first got my machine,the first 3 or 4 readings were as high as during the medical but ater a few tries I had calmed down and they never ever reached those heights again...It was fear of the results that influenced my BP reading...not the presence of a medical person.
I have also cut right back on the drinking and given up cigs totally and also do weights 3 times a week.I took my BP immediately after a heavy weights workout last week and it was 10 lower (systolic) than my supposed "resting" BP in my GP's office.
Best wishes and relaxing thoughts,
Beet
One thing which I find quite strange is that BP can change so much over just a few minutes that I would dare to say that one-off BP readings must not be a reason to pull someones ticket.Rather use the 24 hour method if there is doubt.
Another interesting thing is that because I have my own machine I no longer have a fear of my own blood pressure or having it taken so I am hoping that this will go some way to alleviating the "white coat" syndrome.
Interestingly enough,I have discovered that a doc does not need to be present for this to happen as when I first got my machine,the first 3 or 4 readings were as high as during the medical but ater a few tries I had calmed down and they never ever reached those heights again...It was fear of the results that influenced my BP reading...not the presence of a medical person.
I have also cut right back on the drinking and given up cigs totally and also do weights 3 times a week.I took my BP immediately after a heavy weights workout last week and it was 10 lower (systolic) than my supposed "resting" BP in my GP's office.
Best wishes and relaxing thoughts,
Beet
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my conclusion from a thorough reading of the charts was that if you were FEMALE, and had no other risk factors, your BP had to be absolutely sky high before it put you at risk of heart disease, strokes etc. Yet still doctors tut-tut at any single reading over 140/90. QDM, any comments???
I'm not saying high blood pressure shouldn't be treated, but it is certainly true that we over-medicalise and over-treat. There's a balance between being obsessive (have to get the numbers right, sod the patient) and being nihilistic (aw, it doesn't matter what the hell you do, everyone dies eventually anyway). I don't think we've struck that balance.
I'm as guilty as the rest of them.
QDM
Join Date: Aug 2001
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White coat syndrome
I myself also suffer from white coat syndrome.
Last year on my renewal my BP was taken and it was 150/100,the ame could tell I was nervous and told me to lie down.20 mins BP taken again this time 160/100.
The ame couldn't sign me off there and gave me a 24hr monitor.
The readings came back at 128/80 fairly normal.
Seems that white coat syndrome is fairly common.
Last year on my renewal my BP was taken and it was 150/100,the ame could tell I was nervous and told me to lie down.20 mins BP taken again this time 160/100.
The ame couldn't sign me off there and gave me a 24hr monitor.
The readings came back at 128/80 fairly normal.
Seems that white coat syndrome is fairly common.
The Original Whirly
Join Date: Feb 1999
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USE THE RUDDERS,
White Coat Syndrome does indeed seem to be very common. My GP's practice has their own 24 hour monitor, and the nurse told me that in the months after they bought it and started testing people, they took many of them off medication. So these people were risking side effects etc NEEDLESSLY, and the drug companies were getting rich. Maybe there's a good reason why I never visit a doctor unless I'm absolutely forced to.
White Coat Syndrome does indeed seem to be very common. My GP's practice has their own 24 hour monitor, and the nurse told me that in the months after they bought it and started testing people, they took many of them off medication. So these people were risking side effects etc NEEDLESSLY, and the drug companies were getting rich. Maybe there's a good reason why I never visit a doctor unless I'm absolutely forced to.
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From experience you don't have to be going for a medical to suffer from white coat syndrome. At my last place of work there was an excellent medical facility for the benefit of all employees and students (it was a university), and they had no part in my biannual medicals. Whenever I reported there for anything at all, a cold for instance, my blood pressure was taken. Results were usually in the 150/90 range and accompanied by much tut-tutting on the part of the doctor.
In the end I got my own blood pressure monitor and made detailed records of the results over a period of about six weeks. Next time I went I showed them to the doctor who immediately diagnosed me as having white coat syndrome. He admitted that about 20% of the population suffers from it.
Like a number of you I have an excellent AME with whom I get on well. I did the same thing with him at my last medical where his readings were around 140/85 and the average of mine was nearer 125/75. He actually wrote on the form that this more accurately represented my blood pressure.
I asked him what to do about lowering it since I have tried most things - decaffeinated coffee, regular exercise, healthy diet and I even gave up smoking. His answer surprised me a bit as he said to just eat, drink and be merry. I suspect that most AMEs don't worry too much about it unless the candidate is either seriously overweight or has something else majorly wrong with him/her. This would appear to rule out the majority of aircrew.
Bottom line I suppose is to lead as healthy a lifestyle as possible and to accept that the high stress we go through is on the medicals we are obliged to endure.
In the end I got my own blood pressure monitor and made detailed records of the results over a period of about six weeks. Next time I went I showed them to the doctor who immediately diagnosed me as having white coat syndrome. He admitted that about 20% of the population suffers from it.
Like a number of you I have an excellent AME with whom I get on well. I did the same thing with him at my last medical where his readings were around 140/85 and the average of mine was nearer 125/75. He actually wrote on the form that this more accurately represented my blood pressure.
I asked him what to do about lowering it since I have tried most things - decaffeinated coffee, regular exercise, healthy diet and I even gave up smoking. His answer surprised me a bit as he said to just eat, drink and be merry. I suspect that most AMEs don't worry too much about it unless the candidate is either seriously overweight or has something else majorly wrong with him/her. This would appear to rule out the majority of aircrew.
Bottom line I suppose is to lead as healthy a lifestyle as possible and to accept that the high stress we go through is on the medicals we are obliged to endure.
