tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29640480.post2108302849351493558..comments2024-03-21T18:54:06.548-07:00Comments on Old Enough to Know Better: Getting a Physical?Steve Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079658447270792228noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29640480.post-25397310252747753992007-12-23T23:08:00.000-08:002007-12-23T23:08:00.000-08:00Normal blood pressure varies for a number of reaso...Normal blood pressure varies for a number of reasons. Women are usually lower than men, and size matters. <BR/>Check it at home and see if it is lower than it is in the doctor's office. If it isn't, you don't have white coat syndrome. <BR/><BR/>Hypertension has a plethora of causes, and I won't list them so people fall prey to Intern's Disease. Probably the most common is due to athero- or arteriosclerosis, due to ageing or cholesterol build-up in the blood vessels. The lumens narrow, the pressure goes up because its the same amount of blood going through smaller pipes. This is bad for a lot of reasons.<BR/><BR/>People with very low pressure -- hypotension -- can sometimes pass out if they stand up in a hurry. Even normal BP can fall precipitously if you dilate the vessels by, say, drinking a couple glasses of wine and then sitting in a hot tub for half an hour. <BR/><BR/>On the other hand, low BP is easier on the kidneys, liver, and less likely to result in strokes. <BR/><BR/>Come out of a dead sleep, leap up, and hurry to the bathroom, you might pass out.<BR/><BR/>It's a weird system. Generally speaking, I'd rather have it be a bit too low than a bit too high.Steve Perryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12079658447270792228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29640480.post-39029213280643444532007-12-23T20:14:00.000-08:002007-12-23T20:14:00.000-08:00If I have it...then the 110/74 reading I got last ...If I have it...then the 110/74 reading I got last week at the doc means my BP has gotten really low.Kai Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13319136737099550784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29640480.post-1830890721354972702007-12-22T08:11:00.000-08:002007-12-22T08:11:00.000-08:00Forgot to mention I kind of wish I had white-coat ...Forgot to mention I kind of wish I had white-coat syndrome: it might make giving blood easier. They wouldn't have to dig so damn hard to find the veins.Tiel Aisha Ansarihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03994169558252043919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29640480.post-78101547156697440732007-12-22T08:10:00.000-08:002007-12-22T08:10:00.000-08:00hm, looks like Blogger fixed the weird header stuf...hm, looks like Blogger fixed the weird header stuff.Tiel Aisha Ansarihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03994169558252043919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29640480.post-81016517581872140082007-12-21T16:43:00.000-08:002007-12-21T16:43:00.000-08:00Hey, I worked in a doctor's office for five years,...Hey, I worked in a doctor's office for five years, and my BP would go up there. At home, using the same cuff, perfectly normal. Go figure.Steve Perryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12079658447270792228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29640480.post-46919065681713270872007-12-21T16:01:00.000-08:002007-12-21T16:01:00.000-08:00Several years ago I was surprised to learn that I ...Several years ago I was surprised to learn that I had "white-coat" syndrome. Even when I feel calm and relaxed in the doctors office, it still comes up high.<BR/><BR/>My doctor had me record some readings at one of those pharmacy blood pressure machines. Surprise surprise. Every time I checked my bp at one of those I came out fine.<BR/><BR/>The doctor kept a record of my out-of-office readings for my file. And every time I go in for a checkup I should have some outside readings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com