How should I go about finding whose numbers are correct?

[mikeemily]

My blood pressure was always pretty normal until my last doctors visit.  They measured 153 and 83, high.  I got myself a cuff and started playing around.  I found that by breathing very deeply before and during the test I could lower my systolic to 120.  If I exercised vigorously half hour before the test I could lower it to 105.  Strange it was so easily manipulated. I also discovered I could lower the diastolic from 83 to 65 by letting myself become very dehydrated.  I could also raise my diastolic by saturating with lots of water.  I could make it read 90 something.  What good is a measure so easily manipulated?  Before my last doctors visit I'd fasted for blood work and tried to still my grumbling stomach with 3X12 oz waters.  My arms are fairly muscular and I noticed they used a small cuff anyway.  I read that this usual results in higher reading.  To top it all off I'd been dieting and exercising strenuously for months.  The scale at the gym said I'd lost 18 pounds from a high of 268.  The scale at the drug store said I'd lost 15.  The scale at the doctors said I'd lost nothing.  I was still 268 by their scale. Eighteen pounds is a big difference.  Whose right? Doctors are making decision based on these numbers. They are prescribing drugs with dangerous side effects.

[specialmom]

I'm sure your doctor took into account 'white coat syndrome.'  This is where you have a high bp reading in the doctors office due to nerves.  Or maybe you took an ibuprofen which can push your bp up, etc.  You should not have to manipulate things to lower your bp.  When I checked bp at home, I was told to do it first thing in the morning in a resting position.  

It sounds like your BP is one that will respond to certain things so make some significant life style changes without all of this number to number analysis.  Work out 5 times a week at a moderate, brisk to vigorous pace.  30 minutes is the recommendation and you CAN break it up if need be into 10 minute increments.  But do it religiously.  Also, you sound over weight.  What is your BMI.?  Eat a healthier diet lower on fatty foods, processed foods, less sugar, more vegetables and fruits.  The DASH diet is one that is touted as vey successful.  It's not a fad diet but more a way of eating for healthy blood pressure.  Quit smoking if you smoke.  (you don't mention).  

A doctor's office will always be more accurate than an at home cuff.  They've identified you as having hyper tension from ONE reading?  I do doubt that.  But they would probably like to you to follow up.  Don't mess around with it.  If you are going to take the approach to see what you can do on your own, give yourself 3 months to lose weight and work out 5 x a day.  I would not try to argue this or that based on you lowered it after exercise or your arm is too muscular, etc.  The doctors are not trying to hurt you---  they want to help.  If you doubt, get a second opinion.  good luck