I always get a bit anxious going to the GP’s, but my blood pressure has always been around the 110/70 mark. We moved last year and 3 months ago came the point when I needed to get HRT from my new GP. Phone consultation went fine but a BP check was needed before she could OK my prescription. Of course my anxiety levels were off the scale, at the prospect of possibly not getting my prescription and first check at the surgery and my BP was 140/90!
After 5 mins it did settle to 130/70, and OK for the prescription but I was mortified, hence immediate purchase of a home blood pressure monitor. I have now self diagnosed with ‘white coat syndrome’ as my ‘average BP’ has been 94/68 and highest 113/72, with lowest 89/63.
Having never checked my blood pressure on a regular basis, the relief to find that if anything it’s a bit on the low side was certainly worth the purchase price of the monitor, and as it has an app that tracks my readings I’ll be able to show my GP when they want to do the next check.
I also now wonder if the very occasional strange transient symptoms I’ve had have been due to low BP, so if I get them again I’ll now be able to check.
Just though I’d post my experience in case it’s useful to anyone else.
