Blood Pressure

[tearinghair]

My BP has always been perfect (120/80).suddenly it's shot up to 217/90, and I've been feeling faint ( which I thought was a symptom of low BP anyway). I'm 73. Any thoughts, anyone?

[Jackdaw33]

217 is dangerously high. Have you measured it yourself or have it done at the doctor's.

[Mamyalynne]

Same question as JD, is that a one off home reading?

That systolic figure is very high, you need to get checked out.

[Sqad]

That pressure needs looking into...see your GP on Monday if possible.
Feeling "faint" may be a symptom of high or low BP.
No need to panic, no big deal, but make sure you are seen on Monday.

[Sqad]

Does it matter where it is done?
It is HIGH.

[Jackdaw33]

Home meters are notoriously unreliable as they are not regularly calibrated. Last time I took mine I was 140/139. Took it again after two minutes and I was 119/79. Perfect.

[Sqad]

JJ......let's be realistic here......140...119.....no big deal, but we have here one of 217.
Do you really think that it could be due to machine unreliability?

[Mamyalynne]

It could if the monitor was incorrect, simply asking for more information.

No need to shout.

[Sqad]

O.K.

[Old_Geezer]

Did that new dishy young doctor take it ?

[tearinghair]

At the hospital where I was being treated for a slight injury caused by the faint. They took it again 10 minutes later and it had gone down to 190. Gave me one tablet and tol me to see GP. Not the dishy doctor...

[Mamyalynne]

They gave you good advice, do as Sqad says and see GP Monday.

Best wishes.

[tearinghair]

OK, thanks, I'll do my best (it's usually a free-for-all first thing on Mondays)