I'm surprised she gave you meds for BP when you don't yet have a history of it.

We have the Omron. Take your BP first thing but make sure you sitting for at least 5 minutes. If it’s high, take it two more times but waiting at least give minutes between.

Keeping up with basics is very important. You never want to feel that you have an issue because of neglect on your part.

doesn't your local pharmacy offer free blood pressure checks; they write it down each day so you have a record.

Ugh, long day for sure!🥴

We’ve had an Omron for years to monitor BP and find it accurate.

I'll check on the Omron. Dr said to take the meds if my BP doesn't come down after a week.

@yourresidentdj I also have an Omron which was the brand recommended by my PCP years ago. My BP is usually high in doc’s office particularly in my PCP’s office. The other thing about BP is that ”as we age..” it goes up no matter what you do. Years ago my usual was 106/60. At my last wellness exam it was 144/70. PCP said I need BP meds - low dose but still. I balked. I am a person who stresses & I currently have some things to stress about. PCP advised stress can cause increase in BP. There’s also the fact that at doc appointments, BP is taken right after you’re escorted into exam room & after MA has been chatting you up. To get an accurate reading, per AHA guidelines, we must sit, feet flat on floor, no talking, reading etc. for a few minutes before taking BP. Then, we must wait @ 2 minutes, take it again, then 2 minutes & take it again. Then, take the average of the last 2 readings. That’s your true BP. After my visit, I got out my BP machine & took my BP 2 times daily - at the same times - for a month. My first reading was just after getting out of bed & before eating or drinking. Second reading was before dinner. My averages for the month were between 103 / 60 & 118 / 70. My doc agreed I don’t need BP meds now. Maybe later but not now.

You might have increased anxiety because of recent cessation of smoking. Give yourself some grace there. It will get better. Unless your BP was alarmingly high, & remains so for a week, track it for about a month just to see what your averages are. I have higher readings every once in awhile but when that happens I go for a walk & take it again & it’s always just fine at second reading.

ETA - I also hate these annual exams or wellness checks or whatever they call them. Another reason for higher BP reading. My issue is that I feel fine when I go in but usually leave with another rock to throw into the bag of rocks I carry. Another fun fact of aging. I asked my doc to stop saying ”as we age & as we mature”. I told her just to say things wear out when you’re older.

My BP is almost always high when the nurses take it. I know my normal pressure is not only good but very good. So my doctor takes again and it's always fine. Like Eld, I don't understand the jump to medication without confirmation you really have a BP problem either. Taking blood pressure meds if you don't need them could be dangerous.

In general, i believe we are over medicated. I found a great doctor who listens to me and is fine working along with me. It has served me very well. So much “testing” is CYA to fiend off lawsuits. It’s a shame. Good luck. I have my so called “wellness” appointment tomorrow. I don’t need much. We will see how it goes!

I do know my BP never high when I smoked. It was 120 last year and it is 140 over 70 now. We did have a machine at work. Will see if it's working on Monday.

Working on losing weight and getting in some exercise, even a daily walk, can help reduce blood pressure. Mine has been high occasionally, and my doctor always brings up those two things first. Medication then only if losing weight and exercising don't help.

At your annual she didn't do your Pap???? That's insane. I would LOVE to know b4 I want I had to fast. I always have a blood draw to check my thyroid (it's really the only reason I bother with an annual). I like to have my mammogram and blood test done before my appointment so the doc has all my results before we talk. It makes sense to me they have all the information when we meet.

I understand the disappointment of not being congratulated on positive life changes. I lost a bunch of weight which resulted in coming off two medications, barely got a mention. I guess they don't give out participation trophies as freely anymore, taking care of ourselves is an expectation not an accomplishment.

I agree with others that a single incident of slightly elevated BP shouldn't be cause for taking meds right away, but it sounds like you've been sent home with instructions to monitor it before starting them.

White coat syndrome is common, you were already upset about the delayed appointment (what stands out at me is how early in the day the delay was!) and then one high reading stresses you out more and so starts the cycle. I recommend home monitoring, be honest with youself and see a cardiologist if you have concerns. Log your BP readings and take the monitor to your visit so they can verify accuracy. While proper pressure is taken at rest, normal day activities should not raise it excessively. A stress test may be in order, depending on how things look.

I don't love taking maintenance drugs but it's better than running around with "the silent killer."

I think most PCP’s practice medicine for the masses rather than individuals because they are pushed to see an unreasonable number of patients in a day and can only spend a few minutes with each patient.

A little over a year ago I saw a new PCP who walked into the exam room and announced “I feel like you have heart disease and need a heart calcium scan.” My BP and BMI was normal but LDL was elevated due to a medication I was taking. I had the heart scan which was normal and stopped the other medication which resulted in my cholesterol dropping 30 points.

At the same visit I told the PCP I had a genetic mutation that increased my risk of breast and ovarian cancer. I had already had breast cancer and asked if she could suggest a gynecologic oncologist that I could see for prophylactic removal of my ovaries. She didnt know of anyone and said ovarian cancer is rare and my risk is low. I did some research and found a gyn oncologist that agreed to see me without a referral. I don’t need a referral for insurance purposes but most oncologists would not see me without a doctor’s referral. I had the preventive surgery earlier this year (10 months after the PCP visit).

I don’t have heart disease but I do have the most aggressive form of ovarian cancer. I’m currently undergoing chemo and will be monitored for the rest of my life. Go figure 🤷‍♀️

heritagehd07 Good for you to be proactive! We all have to be, we know our own bodies!