While my resting BP has improved significantly since I began LCing I have a rather profound variation in the systolic number. Just being up and moving around often leads to a reading of around 150 or even higher but by simply sitting in a chair for a few minutes it drops down into the 135 range. The diastolic only varies from about 85 to 78 typically under the same conditions.

Is this normal? I like my resting numbers but I am afraid that the higher numbers will require me to go back on meds.

mike

A systolic range of 135 to 150 is quite normal, Mike. And of course, as you no doubt know, worrying about it will tend to further increase it.

So relax, you are doing well.

Rosebud (RN)

Maybe it's always fluctuated like this and you just didn't notice?

I thought it was the bottom number that was really the kicker. Suspect, without being a doctor and noting this is not medical advice, that continued activity will help your body learn to stabilize BP.

Fluctuations between active and inactive are completely normal.

Have you been off your meds long? Going off them can result in a temporary spike as your body remembers how to manage without them. I'm going through this right now.

If your resting systolic is below 140/90, then you probably don't need to go back on your meds. If it goes higher than that, call your doctor.

Congratulations on getting off. I'm getting off too! After a small spike, I'm down to a regular resting of 120/78! Yay!

I've heard even talking can cause your BP to go up, so doctors and nurses shouldn't talk to patients while their blood pressure is being taken.

Fluctuations ARE normal....and any BP taken while active or shortly after stopping activity, is nothing to be concerned about. Your BP is your resting BP.

Thanks for all the help. I have been off the meds for several months. Initially my BP dropped to 117/70 or so while I was still on the ACE inhibitor so I discontinued that one (had already gotten off HCTz). The BP slowly rose until I was fairly stable around 140/85. It probably has acted this way all along and I just didn't notice. It just seemed to my untrained intuition to be a little bit of a wide variation. I am glad to hear that at least something about me is normal .

mike