When is HBP an immediate emergency?

July 1, 2011

Joining this group has caused me to change my view on high blood pressure. I

used to have an anxiety attack anytime my BP would go over 140/85! I really

thought that high blood pressure caused heart attacks. I am now learning that

blood pressure is dangerous, but generally does damage over time. I don't

ignore my weird feelings when BP is high, but I don't go to the ER as much.

This has avoided going during anxiety attacks. However, I fear that I might be

acting too casual towards my HBP numbers. With PA, there are times that I take a

spot reading and HBP is high. Tonight for instance, I came home from vacation

(gone one week) and was feeling really anxious and weird. I took my blood

pressure and it was 155/97. I waited 10 minutes and retook the BP. It was

149/95. This is a lot higher than usual. However, my diet on vacation was

horrible and I slept around 20 hours total in 7 days. So I kind of brush off

the 155/97 as vacation hangover.

Now that I have PA, I need to figure out when it is appropriate to call 911 for

BP issues. I tend to feel " heart attack " symptoms during anxiety attacks so a

numb left arm is not unusual for me. Is there a certain level that you all use

as a rule of thumb for when to call for help? For example, instead of 155/97 if

my BP would have been 195/122? I'm still trying to deal with anxiety and the

reality of BP shooting up whenever I don't eat right or get too anxious.

Thanks for your help!

P.S. I felt pretty good before taking my BP this evening. After I got a

reading of 155/97 I went into high anxiety mode. Now my lips are numb, my left

arm is tingly, and my heart is pounding! This is what happens to me during an

anxiety attack. However, this is also what happens to many during a heart

attack! Any feedback would be appreciated. My plan right now is to retake the

BP in 30 minutes. I have alerted my family to keep an eye on me and I plan to

continue my normal activities to try to reduce anxiety.

34yo male, diagnosed 04/11, CT normal, no AVS done yet, 50mg spiro

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