May 22 2007
Fluctuating Blood Pressure Poses Unique Circumstances
There are few things doctors can do to control fluctuating blood pressure except continue to monitor the patient for possible causes for the differences. Since the most common causes of high blood pressure are unknown, maintaining a detailed log of blood pressure readings throughout the day will help determine if it medication causing the fluctuating blood pressure or if the high blood pressure readings are secondary to another health issue.
Once diagnosed wit high blood pressure a person usually has their blood pressure taken at the doctor’s office at least once per month, but there can be unknown influences that cause the pressure to change. Among them, the addition of a new drug being introduced into the regimen that may be effective in controlling the pressure for the first 12 hours or so and losing its effectiveness as the day goes on. When this happens, fluctuating blood pressure can cause problems during times when it is higher than normal.
Continued monitoring of the blood pressure at home is usually recommended to enable the doctor to track when the fluctuations occur. A patient monitoring his or her own pressure should do so at least three times a day. The first reading should be taken first thing in the morning prior to eating or drinking anything, while the body is still at rest and before taking any blood pressure medication.
Track Results In Long On Consistent Basis
If the home blood pressure monitor is not equipped with a tracking program, write down the results each time the blood pressure is taken. By taking the pressure three times a day, morning, noon and night, the doctor will be able to spot the fluctuating blood pressure and help determine if an adjustment to medications is needed. Sometimes increasing one dosage but spreading it out over several hours may reduce the occurrence of fluctuating blood pressure.
A person whose blood pressure is controlled by medication and is considered within the normal range in the first part of the day, can suffer high blood pressure later on with a fluctuating blood pressure and can have the same results as uncontrolled high blood pressure resulting in a stroke or a heart attack.
There are inexpensive home monitors on the market to enable just about everyone to have the ability to take part in their own health care, and monitoring blood pressure throughout the day and checking for fluctuating blood pressure can be an effective step in finding the right solution.
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I am 66 yrs old & have been on BP meds for close to 20 yrs. & have had no trouble until about 1 yr. ago when I started having very high BP. Dr. increased meds & I went through 6-7 changes in meds. was in ER twice with BP 200+ over 100. I wasput on yet another med. have had numerous test, so far found nothing. I take BP 3 times /day now for over a month, it was seemingly better but I have days where I take BP in am & its ok, later in the day say 1:00-4:00 I start feeling funny/lightheaded & dizzy, I take BP & now it’s gone down. It may read 104 over 60, in that range. I have been told to take another pill in eve. but I have to be careful not to crash my bp which has happened once to the point I pasted out. not funny, I am thinking there is something else wrong somewhere but I’ve been sent to a specialist/Nephroligist/Hypertension Dr. & want to feel confident but I don’t, it’s been going on too long. What should I do????