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Posted 9/3/2013 4:33 AM (GMT 0)
I have been having anxiety issues all my life. For some reason they have become worse over two months. My blood pressure has been high Andi have been to ER many times this month. EKG and stress test and came back good. I 41 and going through some stressful situations. Have become obsessed with taking my pressure a few times a day. My doctor has me on Klonopin and don't feel works with my anxiety issue. Right now no is 135/84. For it seems high. I hope there is some advice to give me because this fear of having stroke has over taken my life.

Dana
Posted 9/3/2013 5:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi danakay and welcome.;)

I am sorry that you are dealing with increased symptoms lately. I understand how that feels, as do many of our members here...so know that you are not alone.

First of all...big breath...your BP is not anywere near high enough to worry about right now. You are at most in the boderline range...and that is probably just because you are focused on it, and taking readings so often is most likely driving it up.

Has you doctor put you on BP medication, or are you doing a watch and wait?

I am sure that if he/she was concerned, you would be monitored very closely...as it is, you can probably trust that with regular check ups and anxiety management, everything is going to be fine!

How about therapy? Have you ever done any treatment of this kind? Or perhaps it has been a while, and revisiting the idea is in order?

We have a great Resource section here on our main page. (1st post) In it you will find some great self-help ideas that you could get started on right away. There are breathing and relaxation exercises, informative articles and book recommendations...even a couple of books on health anxiety that you might find helpful.

Keep posting with us as well. We understand how you are feeling and we are here to support and listen anytime.;)

Talk to you soon,

S.C.
Posted 9/3/2013 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
DanaKay, I would like to give you some hope about your BP, your numbers are pretty normal, in fact
several years ago 140/80 was considered good BP., Mine has been higher than yours all my life no strokes
there is much more to this than BP, One other thing my Mothers was 170/85 over half of her life, but
we lost Her two years ago, She was 89, I almost forgot I'm 71, find something else to worry about.Peace

Larry ***
Posted 9/3/2013 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
Yes I am on no meds. Have,been since 2005. Just recently my water pill has been changed only because I was,having very low potassium issues. I am not happy with the new pill he put me on but he,says every time I come in I ha e a,good reading.
140/88 half the time is,not good to.me. He refuses to change my meds. I can't even go through a,day with out checking bp. It is,ruining my life. As I see on here it does as well to others.
I have recently started therapy. And I will definitely check out your Anxiety techniques. God knows I need them. Thank you for the warm welcome.
Posted 9/3/2013 5:29 AM (GMT 0)
IGM, my grandmother battled half her life with uncontrolled blood pressure. No matter what meds she was put on. I do have heart murmur and retro valve prolapse which causes palpitations. I do have more in my life I'm sure I could worry about but unfortunately its my heart and fear of dying and leaving my three yr old behind.
Posted 9/3/2013 6:11 AM (GMT 0)
Dana, someday you are going to have to trust someone's word! Take your meds what ever they are and
please stop taking the readings, its a proven fact that it drives you BP up at least 10 points. Just stop,
knowing the reading is not going to change anything! Let yourself enjoy the moment God has given.
Also Dana my Wife who is 68 has two prolapse valves and atrial fib, She has never had a problem takes
Her meds and just go's on. One day You will be changing your Grandbabies diaper! Peace

Larry ***
Posted 9/3/2013 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dana and welcome to the forum! I am also fairly new here as well and find this to be an amazing resource. Everyone is really helpful and encouraging here:) I totally agree with Larry (Hi Larry:)) and he has helped me with my anxiety immensely.

I have been diagnosed with GAD, OCD and health anxiety. I have an unusually low heart rate and have been told I have a sinus bradycardia and a sinus arrythmia (both are totally fine). I also have a fear of dying because of heart related issues and am in constant fear that I will leave behind my small child. Because of this I over exercise (run) and obsess about diet and nutrition, taking vitamins, etc. Like you I am also on Klonopin and only take as needed, but for me it has been a life saver.

A month or so ago, I became OC about checking my BP. It started out at 125/76, I panicked because it was a little high and checked it again. I took about 30 readings that night and wound up in the ER after my last reading was 175/90. After all my vitals came back normal, I calmed down and my BP returned to normal. Long story short, anxiety can cause these spikes in BP, heart rate, etc.

I guess what I am trying to say is that you will be fine. Anxiety causes all sort of symptoms and using different tools/techniques to manage it is key.
Posted 9/3/2013 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Randalee for your encouragement. I'm not familiar with CAD. I have to say its absolutely wonderful to be able to have others here to talk to. Most of my friends and family think I am a head case.
I have to heart blood pressure machines. So I know about OCD. I just want to enjoy life again. I just got subscribed Prozac and I am so scared to take it as I was told it causes bp spikes. klonopin only works so much. And makes me sleepy. Hard with a three yr old!! Ha.
Posted 9/3/2013 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
Dana, my Wife takes prozac has for years, my eldest Daughter does also, she's into Zumba and a lot of
other things, I honestly have never heard of the BP prozac connection. Peace

Larry ***
Posted 9/3/2013 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
I also take Prozac and I have for decades. Decades!! If anything, you may find that your BP will come down if your anxiety gets tackled. I was prescribed Prozac for anxiety, not for depression. I'm a total nervous nelly, so,...I've clocked many miles under my belt at 50 years old.


Merrida
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