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High blood pressure during a panic attack?

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Posted 5/12/2015 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
I suffer with agoraphobia and panic attacks, as most know. I had an appointment with my Psychiatrist on the 5th, and when they took my vitals my blood pressure was 176/97, with a heart rate of 103, so my Dr could tell I was in panic mode for sure.

So I finally started the propranolol that I was prescribed months ago, I've been on it since the 5th I take 10mgs every 8 hours, my Dr says that is a baby dose and it will help my blood pressure as well, he says he takes it before giving a speech and it helps greatly.

I have been able to ween down my xanax, which is a good thing, but now I am totally worried about my blood pressure. I checked it at publix last night(keep in mind I am in public so I am wondering if this affected it) but it was 138/88 which is considered in the normal range but high risk, my pulse was fine this time.

I don't know if I should talk to my PCP and see if she thinks I have a blood pressure issue, or is it anxiety. I don't even know how much a blood pressure monitor costs, but I think to get a true reading I would need to take it at home while staring into space smilewinkgrin

So long story cut short, but not really, does anyone have issues with blood pressure out of the blue?
Posted 5/13/2015 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
BDB,

I do recommend you investing in a home machine to monitor and get an overall/average of your readings, so that you can present this to your doctor when you talk to him/her about it.

You can find them at most drug stores, and a good one will run you betwee $30.00-60.00. Get the arm, not the wrist cuff, as they tend to be more accurate.

It is normal for blood pressure to fluxutate, and certainly it will go up when we are having an attack...

...however, if you are anxious more than not, and therefore getting regular high readings...then you will need to discuss a BP management plan.

Hopefully though, with home monitoring, you will find that your average numbers are fine.:)

Healthy eating and exercise help to keep everything in good range!

Wishing you the best,

S.C.
Posted 5/13/2015 5:21 AM (GMT 0)
My first panic attack sent me to ER where my BP was 220/156, they gave me a xanax and it was normal
in less than 30 minutes, the answer for you is control of your panic and anxiety, it can be done, follow
Scardy Cat's advice and you will be surprised how well you will do, Peace

Larry ***
Posted 5/13/2015 9:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Anxiety can affect your blood pressure so I agree investing in a home monitor is a good idea so you can take your blood pressure at times you are not feeling anxious.

Something to watch out for with a home monitor is that you don't become obsessive about taking your blood pressure. This happened to me and I was taking my blood pressure 6 times a day which was not helpful.

Keep us posted

Hibee
Posted 5/13/2015 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
I too have a home monitor and while I rarely use it now, I used it during pregnancy because my BP shot up at appointments due to nerves and then was fine at home.

I've checked it recently and it's just nice to have.
Posted 5/15/2015 9:58 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your replies, I guess being I am a little obsessive compulsive having a blood pressure monitor could be an issue, just because I may be attached to it 24/7.

I am dieting and exercising, I've lost 20 pounds of the weight I put on during my depression last year, so I guess I was shocked that my blood pressure was high, it has never(that I know of) as high as 176/97 or whatever it was.

The last time I was dieting and exercising my b/p would run 114/77, and I guess I don't know how long exercising takes to see your blood pressure lower.

The beginning of the year I was having issues with my blood sugar being all over the place, I do have hypoglycemia, and have had it for many years. I invested in a blood sugar monitor and would go through a bottle of strips in a few days. My PCP recommended a way for me to eat to help my blood sugar stay level, after having my sugar tested and my A1c checked it was fine, but it was the erratic behavior of my levels that worried me, which I was told anxiety can affect your sugar level too. I have my sugar in check, I rarely will even test it anymore. My body tends to be hypersensitive when something is going wrong and I can tell before I even check it.

I guess I just wonder if there are some cases of Anxiety that just never go away, being mine could be genetics, my Father has very bad anxiety so I believe I inherited it from him, I don't know that my Mother ever has had a panic attack. My Psychiatrist said it can be a genetic issue, and I am wondering if part of this is my problem, I am genetically a basket case with anxiety.

I hate therapy with a passion, and I've been told that without it I may not get better with the anxiety(or may not have the success I could) I do believe it has improved greatly, but I am still me! wink
Posted 5/15/2015 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
BDB,

There are self-guided therapy programs that are really pretty good and effective if done regularly.

If it is between this and not going to therapy regularly, or at all, because you really don't like it...

....then I would recommond giving this self-help a try, as you will get more out of it if you are comfortable with your program.

We have a couple of good ones in our Resources...let me know if you would like the links (and what you feel your key issues are that need addressing) and I will post them.:)

There is always hope for recovery...no matter what the source/origin of our anxiety!

With encouragement,

S.C.
Posted 5/17/2015 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Scaredy Cat, my issue with therapy is not so much the therapy, but the drive to therapy, so I am trying to find a therapist closer to my area, I think I was traumatized by my last ride to see my therapist( I was having a full blown panic attack and literally thought I might need to abandon ship wink ) but I made it, but never went back. The trip is almost an hour, and I feel claustrophobic the entire trip, even after taking a xanax.

The links would be good for me, that way I can help myself until I can see someone closer.
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