Blood pressure questions...high BP only at doctor's office or under stress...high pulse as well.

[Kat03]

I do not have any heart problems, but whenever I go to the doctor's office my blood pressure reading is always a little high, as is my heart rate.  My previous doctor told me it was "white coat syndrome" and usually would check my BP again after I had been there awhile, and usually it would have lowered a bit by that time (usually the first reading would be anywhere from 135 to 150 over 88-90 or so, then the second reading would be anywhere between 115 to 135 over 70 to 85).  My heart rate is always elevated as well, usually in the 130s to 140s when it is checked at the doctor's office.

The thing is, I have a wrist cuff monitor at home and when I take my BP at home it always ranges from 110 to 115 over 70 to 80...always in the "normal" range.  Sometimes when I have panic attacks or am under stress it is higher, but this is the "usual" range for me when I take it at home.  My heart rate seems very sensitive to my stress levels and can range anywhere from the 80s at rest to the 140 to 150 range if I am moving around a lot or exercising or stressed.

First question...are the wrist cuffs accurate?  I have an Omron brand one if that matters.  
Second question...is it okay to have a higher heart rate if BP is normal?
Third question...I am very sensitive to any changes in my environment, obviously, as evidenced by my BP shooting up at the tiniest stressor.  Is this harmful at all to my body since I am under stress quite often??  I just worry that since it's always high at the doctor's office that maybe it's high on a more regular basis than I think or that my cuff at home indicates.

I am overweight, have asthma, panic disorder, and anxiety so I know these do contribute to this problem, but I also don't want to have a heart problem that is unrecognized just because the doctor's and I think I have "white coat syndrome".

Of note, I was in the M.D. office this past week for illness, had a fever of 103 x3 days, and my BP was 135/100 with a heart rate of 144...that is what got me thinking about this issue.  She thought it was most likely because I was so sick at the time.

[dixter]

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Qigong For Stress Relief DVD

[dixter]

Have you brought your monitor to the Dr. office to check against the Dr. monitor?
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Qong Beginning Practice DVD, Qigong Beginning Practice DVD

[Momto3]

I have heard that the wrist cuffs CAN be accurate.  I have an arm cuff and I took it with me to the doctor's office so I could compare their reading to mine.  I felt reassured of its accuracy when we got the same reading.  Next time you're in the doctor's office, take the cuff with you and ask if you can compare the readings.  That will help you to know if you are getting accurate readings.

Our heart rates are definitely subject to change according to the stimuli around us.  It is normal for your heartrate to fluctuate throughout the day.  When you are active, it will generally go up (unless you are on medication to keep it low); when you're sleeping it generally drops to it lowest point of the day.

I don't think that having some fluctuations in your BP is harmful. If you were to have a sustained, elevated BP, there would be more cause for concern.  Talk with your doctor about the increased stress and your concerns over the BP readings.  It will definitely help you to know better once you've had the cuff checked out.

Fever and illness can definitley have an effect on our vital signs.  It is my understanding that dehydration (fever) leads to an increase in HR.  

Let us know what you find out...Hope that helps a little : )