Conquering fear of blood pressure machines?

[Autumnx1003]

I know I am not the only one who absolutely freaks out when having my blood pressure taken.  Every time I go to the Dr's office, they always comment on how high my pulse and blood pressure are (last week when I went it was 127/92 and pulse of 133!)  Ha...and those numbers arent even unusual for me!  I know the pulse is high, but I don't worry about it as much just because I take it frequently at home now, and know that it is usually in the 80's when I'm at home.  But the blood pressure...ugh!  I am just convinced that I am going to have a really high reading sometime and that I'm going to just kill over.  And the docs and nurses make it worse by always saying "well, your numbers are a little too high for your age, even though you are nervous" (I just turned 30).  

So...has anyone successfully conquered their fear of having their blood pressure taken?  How did you do it?  I really want to get over this. I mean, I feel like i try to do everything right...I eat fairly well, I'm definitely not overweight, dont smoke or drink, somewhat active...the only thing I have trouble with is my anxiety.  Ugh...this is frustrating!

[shazam77]

SO SO glad to find this thread. I normally have 120/80 - all my life. I am 53 now. But I just moved to the burbs from the city and gained 15 lbs and stopped walking 5 miles a day. So my BP went up. It was 143/90 in the CVS 2 weeks ago. Then I had it taken at the Dr.'s office last week and it was 150/100, then I took it at home while so nervous and it was even up to 180/120! Crazy. I am now trying to avoid meds, exercise like crazy, cut out salt, and stay away from that BP monitor! It is the devil. I have BP meds with me but I just think it's the fear of that stupid little machine that is causing this.

[Cortel]

Haha...you are so right about being the devil...I suffered a devasting loss of my dad when I was sixteen...I remember that cuff...I suffered for two years  with anxiety and depression but  made it through..conquered my anxiety and I was fine...til now...I am 58... Went to the doc and had a high  reading log,emulirs... their reaction to it freaked me out and today now I sit here afraid to take my measurement..I just can't...I really feel doctors and nurses need to be trained so they don't themselves create this....their freak out freaked me out and I have a Spent two days I. Bed..I am I. Good shape otherwise...diet perfect...don't know what to do now...maybe live with not knowing.

[Paxiled]

It's likely, if you never had this problem before, to be normal the next time you get it checked -- it varies naturally in all of us, as do lots of things doctors check, such as nutrient levels and hormones.  

[bbt21531]

I am so happy to have found this thread. I had high blood pressure issues during my pregnancy which cleared up after giving birth but ever since I have a severe anxiety when I even see a bp machine. I have a home bp monitor which has really helped me. My fear now though is when someone else, other than myself, is taking it. I'm scared of it being high, and what they will say. Has anyone dealt with this? Do you say something to the nurse prior to them taking it? Has that helped?

I need to go a chiropractor but am avoiding doing so because I worry they are going to take my bp.

[Joyce1234567890]

Yes I have performance anxiety with blood pressure machines, which means I am fearful of what others may think.  I take my blood pressure at home and give them readings.  I feel too the medical community is very gready and will get people on meds that they don't need because of kickoffs at the end of the year with taxes

[concordion2k]

Sometimes, though, when I take my BP at home, especially if i havent done it in weeks, i get anxious until I get used to it.

[concordion2k]

While I havent had my BP go that high, I certainly experience the EXACT same thing you do.

You are not alone.

My doctor recommended I speak to a mental health professional, just in case. It's always a good idea to talk things through with someone who's trained in behavioral science.

[concordion2k]

I feel the same way. Its absolutely nuts.

[concordion2k]

I have a similar issue. I had a bout of medical weirdness in Aug '15 (all is well now), but a lingering fear of BP machines has stuck with me. My BP was never high prior to this, and I've taken my BP at home for 2 weeks straight and it was always 117/78 ish.

When I get anxious, the BP can get really high, like 148/88, or some other combination.

Its good to know others have similar experiences.