big blood pressure changes?

[mousebandit]

Hi ladies! I'm wondering about things that can rapidly impact blood pressure readings. Specifically, I'm 23 wks pregnant, have been running a bp of about 102/60 throughout the pregnancy, and work very diligently at eating mostly raw, live foods, with my cooked foods usually being proteins, and avoiding sugar and processed foods like the plague. Two days ago we had a very sad event here on our ranch, and I hit the cooked foods, white bread, pasteurized milk, and cupcakes. Yesterday evening, I took my bp (same portable electric machine that I always use), and was shocked to find that it was 118/71 - that seemed like a big jump to me, but I attributed it to the sugar intake, and vowed to get my rear in line! SO, I drank another quart of water, and took a long, warm bath to relax. When I got out, I relaxed in bed, reading a book for about 45 minutes, and took another bp (at least 2 hours in between readings, maybe 3) - this one was 129/69!!! That really worried me, because I could tell that I was feeling much more relaxed and my heart had stopped racing (my pulse did come down during that time from 94 to 74!), so I was surprised to see such a high reading.

Today it is still elevated, 118/69, despite an excellent nights sleep, and no sugar today.

Am I right thinking that the diet changes and maybe the hot bath is what was impacting it last night, or could this be the start of a trend that I need to be cautious about? Of course, I will keep monitoring it daily for the next week or so, but I'm just so surprised by this!

Thanks!!
Tracey Mouse

[Alison Cole]

Blood pressure can change so much in such a short time, and is so dependent on so many factors. The good news is that the bottom numbers have not at any point been outside of normal range. The top number is the one most effected by stress/emotion, and I'd almost be more likely to attribute the higher readings first to trauma from the "very sad event," and second, to the stress about the initial higher (though still well within the range of normal) reading. The catch 22 is that every time you sit down to check the BP the stress over what the reading will be could itself shoot the reading up. So, I'd start by taking stock -- are you getting enough protein? Calories? It sounds like you're conscious of getting enough fluids...are you salting food to taste? Do you feel well? If you know that you're eating enough and getting enough salt and protein, and you feel well, try to reassure yourself about the blood pressure situation, considering the stress you've been under, and then see if you notice it coming back down once you're not so concerned about it anymore.

Good luck and blessings.