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330 points wglb | 1 comments | | HN request time: 0.202s | 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. running101 ◴[] No.41848319[source]
Try the 4-7-8 Breathing technique while you are traveling to and right before you take the reading. Also just focus on something else like counting things on the wall while they take it. Mine has been high when I take it at the Dr office. But at home fine. I think tried the 4-7-8 Breathing technique this last time and it read normal at the dr office.