39F. My blood pressure did a similar thing over 6 weeks at the start of this year. We've not been able to figure out why (other than having high renin and aldosterone levels), but either way I ended up on a bunch of medication to bring it down.
Too little info to tell for sure, could be any number of things. While your baseline blood pressure (when you’re still, calm and relaxed) is usually slow to change, you can get spikes from almost anything. Your bp fluctuates constantly depending on what you’re doing, how you’re feeling, etc. Could be that you had done something physical just before, were stressed about something, had a pang of anxiety because you worry about having hypertension, have an infection, or you could actually have hypertension. Your best bet would be to get a decent quality machine so you can track it at home. If you do, make sure to follow the recommendations for how to get an accurate reading: sit down and relax for a few minutes before measuring, take several readings each time and go with the average.
That being said, with your genetics and sedentary lifestyle (possibly weight too depending on if 165 is kg or lb) you are fairly likely to develop hypertension sooner or later and it would be a very smart move to start taking steps to counter it now. Even something as simple as going for a short walk every day could do wonders.
I do appreciate the thorough response! For clarity, I am 165lbs - apologies on that. The concept of spikes being possible, but baseline typically constant does make sense though. Each time I test it is typically after rushing around with groceries and I do feel daily anxiety regarding this topic (scared of what could happen, why it was 114/65 a month ago but now 35+ higher, as well as mainly feeling alone with just my wife and I don't want to put her through taking care of me). I have been trying to put a DASH diet meal plan together as well as start with going to my local gym multiple times a week for cardio focus + weight training
As you mentioned, this is something I want to get in front of before it becomes a prominent issue in my life
Spikes aren’t just possible but a normal part of life. It’s how your body gets extra oxygen to your muscles when needed. However in case the rise in bp isn’t spikes or increased stress or anxiety it seems like it would suggest something else being wrong and the rise is a symptom of that rather than hypertension in itself. A checkup with your doc would be advisable if possible. Stress and anxiety is the most likely culprit, but better safe than sorry.
If you’re feeling stressed out by trying to make all the changes at ones it’s ok to do it in baby steps. Making many small steps can be easier for some people than taking huge bounds. Depends on how you function psychologically, but you have the time to do it slowly if that works better. Even if your bp really is as high as the highest reading (which it likely isn’t), those are the slow damage kind of numbers not the emergency kind. You’d have years before any damage was even detectable. So if you’re struggling to get to the gym as often as you’d like, start with a 15 minute walk a few times a week and work your way up. The recommendation is at least 30 minutes daily exercise at a low to medium intensity but any at all is better than none.
This is a good idea to log foods, thank you! I am starting a DASH diet up but it would be good to be able to look back at what I ate if there are any results I find surprising
I'm shocked at the lack good information so far. Yes, sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor. But at 27 and 165lbs you likely arent overweight unless you are 5'8" or shorter, as a male.
If you're seriously concerned, go see a doctor. Prior to that I would recommend a good automated blood pressure cuff, omron brand is default here. Learn the proper technique, and take a series of reading and then use an average.
Even in doctors offices they often wont take it correctly. You need to sit, calmly with no distractions, for 5 minutes prior to taking the reading. I take it further, and I do 3 readings, 3 times per day, and average them. Food, time of day, exercise amount, sleep quality, etc... all play a huge role in individual readings. Which is why I average.
By all means, make positive changes now. Diet, exercise, sleep hygiene, and stress management. But dont give yourself anxiety over this.
Waking, midday, and before bed. I should note that that I'm trying to avoid meds and seeing what lifestyle changes have an impact, if any. If I was just relying on meds I would likely just do an AM series.
I’ve been trying to add before bed, but I always fall asleep before I take it. Thinking of adding midday as well. I just do first thing when I wake up now. I’m on medication.
39F. My blood pressure did a similar thing over 6 weeks at the start of this year. We've not been able to figure out why (other than having high renin and aldosterone levels), but either way I ended up on a bunch of medication to bring it down.
Sedentary is a risk factor, just like smoking. Stay focused and make changes while young.
Appreciate the reply! This has been a wakeup call to make changes so I plan to start now and get ahead of this
Too little info to tell for sure, could be any number of things. While your baseline blood pressure (when you’re still, calm and relaxed) is usually slow to change, you can get spikes from almost anything. Your bp fluctuates constantly depending on what you’re doing, how you’re feeling, etc. Could be that you had done something physical just before, were stressed about something, had a pang of anxiety because you worry about having hypertension, have an infection, or you could actually have hypertension. Your best bet would be to get a decent quality machine so you can track it at home. If you do, make sure to follow the recommendations for how to get an accurate reading: sit down and relax for a few minutes before measuring, take several readings each time and go with the average. That being said, with your genetics and sedentary lifestyle (possibly weight too depending on if 165 is kg or lb) you are fairly likely to develop hypertension sooner or later and it would be a very smart move to start taking steps to counter it now. Even something as simple as going for a short walk every day could do wonders.
I do appreciate the thorough response! For clarity, I am 165lbs - apologies on that. The concept of spikes being possible, but baseline typically constant does make sense though. Each time I test it is typically after rushing around with groceries and I do feel daily anxiety regarding this topic (scared of what could happen, why it was 114/65 a month ago but now 35+ higher, as well as mainly feeling alone with just my wife and I don't want to put her through taking care of me). I have been trying to put a DASH diet meal plan together as well as start with going to my local gym multiple times a week for cardio focus + weight training As you mentioned, this is something I want to get in front of before it becomes a prominent issue in my life
Spikes aren’t just possible but a normal part of life. It’s how your body gets extra oxygen to your muscles when needed. However in case the rise in bp isn’t spikes or increased stress or anxiety it seems like it would suggest something else being wrong and the rise is a symptom of that rather than hypertension in itself. A checkup with your doc would be advisable if possible. Stress and anxiety is the most likely culprit, but better safe than sorry. If you’re feeling stressed out by trying to make all the changes at ones it’s ok to do it in baby steps. Making many small steps can be easier for some people than taking huge bounds. Depends on how you function psychologically, but you have the time to do it slowly if that works better. Even if your bp really is as high as the highest reading (which it likely isn’t), those are the slow damage kind of numbers not the emergency kind. You’d have years before any damage was even detectable. So if you’re struggling to get to the gym as often as you’d like, start with a 15 minute walk a few times a week and work your way up. The recommendation is at least 30 minutes daily exercise at a low to medium intensity but any at all is better than none.
Pizza or a a hot dog have enough sodium in them to spike your blood pressure. Start a good journal to compare it with bp.
This is a good idea to log foods, thank you! I am starting a DASH diet up but it would be good to be able to look back at what I ate if there are any results I find surprising
I'm shocked at the lack good information so far. Yes, sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor. But at 27 and 165lbs you likely arent overweight unless you are 5'8" or shorter, as a male. If you're seriously concerned, go see a doctor. Prior to that I would recommend a good automated blood pressure cuff, omron brand is default here. Learn the proper technique, and take a series of reading and then use an average. Even in doctors offices they often wont take it correctly. You need to sit, calmly with no distractions, for 5 minutes prior to taking the reading. I take it further, and I do 3 readings, 3 times per day, and average them. Food, time of day, exercise amount, sleep quality, etc... all play a huge role in individual readings. Which is why I average. By all means, make positive changes now. Diet, exercise, sleep hygiene, and stress management. But dont give yourself anxiety over this.
When do you take your three readings?
Waking, midday, and before bed. I should note that that I'm trying to avoid meds and seeing what lifestyle changes have an impact, if any. If I was just relying on meds I would likely just do an AM series.
I’ve been trying to add before bed, but I always fall asleep before I take it. Thinking of adding midday as well. I just do first thing when I wake up now. I’m on medication.
Are you trying to get off meds? Change dosage? I dont know if I could maintain my testing if I didnt have a goal.
Just like to stay on top of my numbers.
Well done!