What in the heck is going on?

[Bryan B]

I normally don't check my blood pressure in the morning. I usually check it a couple of times a day, maybe sometime after lunch and sometime in the evening. Well the last two mornings I've checked it right after getting up. Today it was 142/104 with a pulse of 65. Yesterday was something like 135/102 with a pulse in the 60's. I do take Toprol XL 25mg once a day in the morning, and I'm taking these readings before I take my dose. But those readings are bizarre...I thought my BP would be low if anything right after getting up. Any clues? Should I call my surgeon? It seems to settle down as the day progresses. Yesterday it was 120/80 with a pulse of 65 (looked like a sticker on the machine...lol), and 5 minutes after my 2mi walk it was 122/87 with a pulse of 72. I really don't feel like my BP is bothering me in the morning (especially with my pulse being normal). It's just plain weird!

 

[ShezaGirlie]

Hey Bryan...

Hey Bryan...

Shouldn't this post be on the 'sex thread?'

Sorreeeeeeeeeeee

 

[Bryan B]

Uh...I guess I should have clarified "getting up".

Well I called my surgeon and got the voicemail as usual, so I called my cardio in Nashville and talked to the nurse. She said that your BP is usually higher when you first WAKE up (not to be confused with getting up), and you should always wait until you have been up (awake) for a bit and had a chance to move around. I took it a little while ago and it was 122/86 with a pulse of 76. I guess I'm a bit paranoid since I'm getting ready to leave my surgeon here in NC and head back to Nashville (not to mention leaving my parents who have played such a big part in my recovery).

I guess it's time to return to being a responsible adult...DAMN!

 

[Ross]

Believe it or not (and this is not for sex reference) it's the sudden adrenaline rush from first waking up. Your brain sets off a huge chemical pep rally to all the other chemicals and your heart shows it. I go through the very same thing everyday.

 

[Granbonny]

Bryan

Bryan

I don't think high blood pressure has symptoms.I know low does...Maybe I am wrong ..So you leave tomorrow for Atlanta. Take it easy and stop often at Rest Stops on the Interstates...Walk around a little..Enjoy your friends in Atlanta..Then head home for Nashville..on good old I-75..Daughter lived in Dalton Ga. for several years..I love Chattanooga.Tenn..Let us know when you arrive home safely. Bonnie

 

[Raverlaw]

Bryan,

Be careful on the drive home and watch out for those crazy truckers on I-40!

Please tell Don and Alma thanks again for us - we really enjoyed dinner at their home and they are truly gracious people. And your. OK, yourself!
And did I remember to tell everyone that Bryan doesn't really look like a giant black poodle...much?

 

[Granbonny]

Bill

Bill

Don't think Bryan will be on I-40..probably I-95 I-26 into Atlanta and then I-75 from Atlanta to Nashville. I-40..I know too well. Hubby let me drive our new motorhome on it. from New Mexico, Okla, Ark..Ark was horrible. I was bouncing out of my seat and laughing. Ruts in road, ect..and Bill Clinton didn't do anything to fix it while he was Gov. of Ark?Our motorhome was new..first long trip and screws were falling out of dashboard... He finally made me pull over. said, we must have a flat tire. Nope. Just the road. Bonnie

 

[Mary]

Adrenaline rush

Adrenaline rush

Ross,
I'm so glad you answered Bryan's question, because I wake up, get up,and instantly find my heart racing. The other thing I'm experiencing is during the night, if I roll to my left or right, I feel a tremendous thump and have the sensation that my heart has rolled separately and is readjusting itself. Is that the valve playing games?
Mary

 

[Bryan B]

Mary,

I can relate. My heart has been acting up a bit as far as irregular beats as well as the blood pressure being up one hour and down the next. I think I have a major case of paranoia going, and it will probably be good for me to be in Atlanta NOT taking my blood pressure for a few days.

I am planning for frequent breaks. I'm giving myself 7-8 hours to get there when Mapquest says 6 & 1/2hrs. My drive to Nashville from Atlanta is only 4hrs or so. I'll check in with everyone when I get back to Music City! I'm also carrying my Mom's old cell phone (believe it or not I don't have one) so if something were to happen I would be able to call 911.

Bill, we thouroughly enjoyed the visit. I'll tell them you said thanks again!

 

[Abbanabba]

Believe it or not (and this is not for sex reference) it's the sudden adrenaline rush from first waking up. Your brain sets off a huge chemical pep rally to all the other chemicals and your heart shows it.

Hmmmmmm - clearly I'm being ripped off. Where can I get one of these adrenaline rushes..?? My brain just tells eveyone to "settle down and GO BACK TO SLEEP!!!: (..ha ha ha..).

A : )

 

[Ross]

Ross,
I'm so glad you answered Bryan's question, because I wake up, get up,and instantly find my heart racing. The other thing I'm experiencing is during the night, if I roll to my left or right, I feel a tremendous thump and have the sensation that my heart has rolled separately and is readjusting itself. Is that the valve playing games?
Mary

I don't have the answer for that one Mary, but I experience that also on occasion. I'm sure it's not the valve, but what exactly the feeling is or is caused by is beyond me. So long as you don't wake up and find your heart laying on the floor, I think your safe.

 

[epstns]

Bryan,
I'll reaffirm the notion that our blood pressure follows a normal cycle. I think Ross hit the reason -- the rush of starting all the day's activities, whatever they are.

I check my pressure about half an hour after waking, and usually find it in the range of 110-120/70-something, with a pulse rate in the high 40's to low 50's (30 years of jogging/running has its benefits, I guess). By early evening, the pressure drops to the 100-105/60-something, with a pulse rate in the mid-60's to low 70's. This is a couple of hours after my usual jog of 4 to 5 miles and light weight workout. I take Avalide once daily in the AM to manage blood pressure, usually taken after the morning reading.

That said, I would not worry about the pressure readings you have gotten, but if the average for the day creeps into the range over 130, they may choose to medicate.

 

[Raverlaw]

Mark-
Oops! It was wrong of me to have tarred all truckers with the same brush.

I'd just returned from a driving vacation, and I'll admit there were plenty of bad drivers who weren't in trucks!

I'm just generally frustrated with drivers in all vehicles who drive 10-15 miles above the speed limit, pass on the right, cut in front when you're trying to leave a safe distance between you and the car in front, etc.

Worst offenders were truckers and others who, traveling 75-80 in the #1 lane, roll right up on your tail ( I mean like 6 feet away ) when you clearly have traffic in front of you and no room to pull over so they can pass.

I don't drive below the speed limit (except when conditions make the limit unsafe) so I know I'm not going at an abnormally slow pace. It's just that in my business I've seen the unfortunate results of many accidents due to high speed, following too close and unsafe passing. I'm sure you truckers have seen it all, too. Talk about raising your blood pressure! (Had to keep on topic!)

 

[tobagotwo]

This thread may make things better for me. I used to take my blood pressure in the evening most of the time. During and just after the hospital, it was fabulous.

The last two mornings I decided to take it right after I woke up, and it was 120/80 and 126/82. I was starting to think the cardio was going to jam more pills down my throat with that diastolic leering at me from the machine.

I'll go back to taking my BP later, and maybe it will be more in line with what I was seeing before. If it works, I'll let you know.

Of course you realize that, if it does work, it means you should schedule all your cardio appointments for late afternoon and evening from now on (including Abbanabba, who can use it to help make her point).

 

[tobagotwo]

I was trying to figure out where Bryan got that special cuff he's been using to check his BP first thing in the morning. Might be a market for that.

 

[Granbonny]

Bill and Mark

Bill and Mark

I keep pencil and paper. in case some trucker does that to us..Running up behind us in our Motorhome. We are also driving a 37 ft. vehicle. Hubby always pulls the light to let the trucker passing us..He is free to go back into fast lane...Only once, have I had to call the number that Says . Safe Driver? If not call ????? Idolt in truck behind us..Grandson with us..and heavy traffic. He went around us and gave John the finger. I took name, time date and called the number. Never heard back ....Bonnie

 

[bvdr]

I just figure trucks are bigger than me so they automatically get the right-a-way..........especially on steep grades. I look at the emergency pull-offs with the tire tracks in the deep sand and think.......wow, someone came close.

 

[Ross]

Speaking of tailgating, speeding and general stupidity, lets not forget that no matter what vehicle you drive, it's being stopped by a man made mechanical braking system that is prone to failure whenever it feels like it. Any of you ever had a brake line break while driving? Lost air brakes going down hill? etc.

If not and you drive like an idiot, God help you!

 

[medtronic of borg]

just let them pass

just let them pass

I look at bad drivers as inpatient, selfish *&^&!!!. Who will eventually kill them-self. It is natural selection at it's finest. We humans need preditors too. And I see vehcles as being just that. Because of my slowed reflexes that I don't want to put to the test, I drive just under the limit.

On another note...How many of us wash our hands of taking care of ourselves? For example put the seat back a click or two could save your legs and or head. Stuff a soft pillow next to your hip under your elbow. If your around a lot of water keep a window punch in the glove compartment. I could go on and on.

Med

 

[Granbonny]

Buckle up. In Georgia. it's click it or ticket it. Son gets in drivers seat and says everyone buckle up. I say, we are just going down the road to eat and he says, Most accidents happen within 3 miles of your home. He says, Mom, if you could see some of the accidents I work..and I stop him and say. No thanks. I came across one of his picture scrapbooks from work.accidents and looked. Horrible.Never told him I peeked. Leaving Tuesday for another long drive on Interstates to beaches in S.C. and N. C. Will be my hubby's co=pilot. Bonnie