Anxiety or High Blood Pressure?!
Question: I went to take my blood pressure the nearby pharmacy. I had a cup of coffee an hour previously and was feeling a little afraid of taking the bp reading to begin with. My heart rate was high--117 bpm and my blood pressure reading was high--just over 140, but the systolic was o.k. just under 90. I've been experiencing a lot of anxiety lately. Can anxiety that and/or a rapid heart rate affect your reading? I am a 42 year old man and I am a healthy weight. Thanks
Answers: I went to take my blood pressure the nearby pharmacy. I had a cup of coffee an hour previously and was feeling a little afraid of taking the bp reading to begin with. My heart rate was high--117 bpm and my blood pressure reading was high--just over 140, but the systolic was o.k. just under 90. I've been experiencing a lot of anxiety lately. Can anxiety that and/or a rapid heart rate affect your reading? I am a 42 year old man and I am a healthy weight. Thanks
Of course! Gosh, anxiety, caffeine... probably more of the anxiety, though. The 117 could've been because you were just walked around and such. You're due for your annual physical soon, no harm in making an appt. with your MD now to get it checked out. I wouldn't worry too much. Kudos on being within healthy weight range. :)
Coffee can cause a increase in BP but so can stress and anxiety. My guess is that it's caused from having anxiety attacks but to be on the safe side see your doctor because it could be the opposite high BP can cause anxiety attacks.,
Avoid the coffee, that will increase your heart rate and B/P.
Caffeine can also give some people anious and stress feeling.
I have the same problem. Time for your yearly medical exam.
Good luck
Interpretation of blood pressure is not a one ot two time thing. It has to be recorded over days or even weeks to see if there is a pattern in the readings.BP fluctuates. I mean in a matter of minutes you could be near what is considered low BP, an a few minute later you could be at 180/95, and two minutes later be at 130/75. Ask a doctor and he will tell you the same thing. It is only when the BP is high over time that it is very dangerous.