Normal ambulatory blood pressure
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Aug 17 2009
Q: What is a normal blood pressure for a person taking their blood pressure standing up and doing activities?
A: Blood pressure taken continuously during normal daily activities is known as ambulatory blood pressure. A daytime ambulatory pressure of greater than 130/85 is considered high. For a complete discussion of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring versus standard measurement, click here.
Tags: ambulatory blood pressure, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood pressure monitoring, hypertension, normal blood pressureWhite-coat hypertension and ambulatory monitoring
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jun 03 2009
Q: I have been taking 40mg of Lisinopril and 12.5mg of Hydrochlorothiazide (diuretic) for a few years now. Since taking these medications my at-home readings are wonderful, averaging from 120/75 to as low as 90/56 at night. When
I visit the doctor’s office, my readings are high; from 140/85 up to 175/90. A doctor at the clinic felt that White Coat Syndrome could not spike up anyone’s readings THAT much. I am leery to start taking even more meds, or higher doses. In your opinion, can White Coat Syndrome spike numbers that high?
A: Since there is a difference between your home readings and those taken at the office, you might want to discuss ambulatory blood pressure monitoring with your doctor. This testing can help determine if your blood pressure is in control and if you suffer from white coat hypertension.
Tags: ambulatory blood pressure, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood pressure monitoring, diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide, hypertension, Lisinopril, white coat hypertension, white coat syndromeWhite coat hypertension
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Feb 16 2009
Q: I have a problem with high blood pressure whenever I go to the doctor’s office, and the doctor gave me medication. But my blood pressue is good when I measure it at home. What do I do? Do I have to take the medication? Please advise.
A: Record your blood pressure at home and show these measurements to your doctor. It sounds like you may have “white coat hypertension”. This is a well known condition when blood pressure is only elevated at the doctor’s office. In some cases, 24 hour blood pressure monitoring is ordered to prove that this is the case and blood pressure medication is not needed. To learn more about monitoring your blood pressure at home, click here.
Tags: Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood pressure medication, blood pressure monitoring, high blood pressure, Measuring Your BP, white coat hypertension
