See All
Preferences
My Communities
My Discussions
My Email Digests

Been battling stress triggered months (almost always winter months) with 160/100 constant bp during these times (consecutive daily checks at docs -lower on home machine but still high) for years.
Tried DASH, still try to stick with that, BMI 18.5 and walk my dog daily.Breathing meditation works for me for a few mins but not longterm.
This time (moving city, moving house alone, new job about to start and leaving my two teen kids in a diff town are the stressors)
Have just been started on my first blood pressure reduction meds.He's put me on Norvasc/Amplodipine. Any info or XP on this drug very welcome.
First day -I took 2.5mg today. Just wondering how long it takes to know if these alone are going to help. (Bit scared to take my bp again today -will try tomorrow). And I'm also anxious after reading on the net they can cause strokes (which seems strange since they are marketed to prevent them) and also they cause GI tract bleeding...View Thread


I'm curious about exactly how dangerous white-coat hypertension is. It isn't just at the doctor's that I get it, it's a kind of panic that comes over me often. It is at any sportscenter, shopping mall etc where there is a blood pressure machine for example! I feel my heart racing even thinking about it and start to panic before I use the machine. At the docs she tells me to lie down and wait and calm down but I cant do that, my bp just continues to increase the longer I am in that room. It's always high in any official setting with someone else taking it ~ 160/110 then up to 170/118.
I bought a machine and took my bp for one month at home every day morning and night as advised. When I first started doing this I panicked too but slowly the levels went down. For one week every day I was getting 70s for the lower number. But as the month ended and I knew I had to go back to the doctor to show him the results the levels started to rise.
I just can't seem to do meditation,yoga etc. I really have tried. Im very active, I love sports, I walk my dog an hour a day, most days. BMI is 18.5, I'm not overweight and never have been. Pulse rate usually around 70..I eat fairly well, could be better I guess. My cholestrol is low and blood work is fine too. Since the doc advised me to try and relax and get my bp down in other ways before prescribing meds, I am at a loss. What else can I try? I just cannot get my blood pressure down in a stable way in my daily life for it to be healthy as there is always something at work or whatever -every day- that has it rise (I can feel it) for periods every day. Then it takes some time for it to go back down. This cannot be healthy. I'm 49 female by the way.
Should I insist on meds at this point...or when? This part time hypertension has been going on for some years too.
Any advice or comments valued.
Thank you.
ReeView Thread

I think it's a very scary thing when nothing is open and there is no place to go in these kind of situations. Guaranteed to raise BP even more! I am sorry you had a spike and hope that you can get some good advice about what is best to do if that happens again.
Thanks for the links too. Especially the second link was very helpful and re-assuring to me. I tend to panic when articles are written catering toward readers who do not take heart health seriously and are therefore very sober and dramatic. I am always calmed by reading articles that stay positive, upbeat and offer self help tips like that

Stress is indeed a multisided friend and foe isn't it. It gives us the ability to cope in emergencies - and then has us collapse at a later date. I have tried many, many things and personally have still to find the best way to de-stress. Yoga made me impatient (I'm just too active for it) and breathing exercises etc - results are too short lived. I'm sure finding something that works is a self help key for everyone, white coat or real hypertensive.View Thread

I have long suspected I have long term anxiety problems and I have had panic attacks several times in my past. That much is spot on..
The point I really wanted to discuss was whether or not white coat hypertension (whatever it's background history or the roots out of which it is born) merits medication and what are the criteria for deciding? How for example do the effects of elevated blood pressure for sustained periods during anxiety attacks only (from let's say 24hr stretches up to one month intensive) pan out as potential risks to a person's heart health.
My brother is a doctor (GP) and he did suggest that after menopause it may become something I need to do. He suggested diuretics first and then something called Candesartan? Used in Britain. Are these used in the US?
Thanks again for your time!View Thread
Women's Health Newsletter
Find out what women really need.
Other Hypertension Information
More Related Communities
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.

