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330 points wglb | 2 comments | | HN request time: 0.403s | source
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geye1234 ◴[] No.41842047[source]
Quite a few people here report getting anxious even when taking their BP themselves:

https://www.innerhealthstudio.com/phobia-taking-blood-pressu...

I'm one of them. I bought a device with memory and covered the screen with a piece of card. Then I take BP for two weeks and ignore the first few days' readings. I seem to get used to it after a few days. This gets me readings that are very close to 120/80.

I've had anxiety about blood pressure ever since running for an appointment, while being on the first day of a new job when I was really amped up, and so (of course) had a dangerously high reading. I still remember the guy's eyes widening as he looked at the screen. Ever since then I've hated having BP taken and I can feel my BP and pulse increasing the moment I step into a doctor's office. Fortunately my doctor understands and doesn't try to push pills on me.

I wish there were some way of measuring BP without knowing it's being done. The act of measurement can greatly affect the result, which is counter-productive in several ways (not the least of which is un-needed anxiety).

York Cardiologist on Youtube is good on BP, and why apparently high BP should not automatically mean pills, although undoubtedly it sometimes should. (Usual disclaimer: this is not medical advice, ask your doctor about your specific situation.)

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1. das_keyboard ◴[] No.41843496[source]
Yeah I'm one of them. I developed a full-on anxiety disorder after my diagnosis with high BP to the point where I would get panic attacks just sitting in front of the device.

At the same time I would became obsessed with measuring BP and pulse...

My current solution besides anti-depressants and therapy is just ignoring it and trust in the pills from the doctor.

Right now I'm thinking about trying something like the Aktiia wearable to get some measurements without me knowing...

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2. geye1234 ◴[] No.41843704[source]
> My current solution besides anti-depressants and therapy is just ignoring it and trust in the pills from the doctor.

Look up ERP (exposure and response prevention) therapy, then apply it to your fear of BP. I did that, it helped a lot.