This is a non-public (confidential) poll.

Your most recent 50+ BP reading is closest to

Systolic - upper number
Diastolic - lower number

Do you monitor your BP regularly?

Why or why not?

https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pulse-pressure/AN00968

The numeric difference between your systolic and diastolic blood pressure is called your pulse pressure . . .

A high pulse pressure may be a strong predictor of heart problems, especially for older adults. Generally, a pulse pressure greater than 40 mm Hg is abnormal. A pulse pressure lower than 40 may mean you have poor heart function, while a higher pulse pressure may mean your heart's valves are leaky (valve regurgitation).

I'm normally at 110/70 or so when I see a doctor. Don't monitor it, since it's stable.

104/64

Don't monitor it

See the doc often enough that it gets measured several times/year.

I apparently have white coat fever. When I go to the doc, it always measures high when first taken, then settles down to normal or below over time.

The doc wanted me to measure it frequently at home, so I kept a record. At home, it measures a little lower than normal. No medication for now, I guess.

I used to measure mine before and after each ride until my digital manometer went kaput. Pre-ride, it normally ran between 100-110 over 68 to 74. I now take it when I go to the doctor's office and it hasn't changed enough to be concerned about.

I use to take 3 medications for my BP until I began to seriously diet, run and ride--all good now and the only med I take is for my hayfever!! and that may never go away

Just three weeks ago, I was diagnosed with hypertension. The physician put me on a low dose of some type of heart medicine. I can't imagine what my blood pressure would be without my riding. There is a history of hypertension on both sides of my family tree, so it is not totally unexpected. However, in my case, I figured my physical activity would take care of it and it would be something that I'd never have to worry about. Nope! Only good news about my heart is that my resting pulse rate is right at 50 bpm. Doc says I need to lose a few pounds, and I think I need to bump up the mileage.

Don't know what my numbers are. Started doing research the other day on finding a good home blood pressure monitor to purchase.

I went to the doctor Monday and the dentist Tuesday and I measured 121/81 and 115/80.

Don't monitor all the time, but from the pre-checkup logs I keep (to offset white coat syndrome craziness) it averages in the low/mid 120s over low/mid 70s. Lately, it's trending lower as I ride more. Doc says I'm OK and nothing to be concerned about. No real history of heart disease, EKG/ECG check out OK.

I voted 120/80 but generally I am 130/90. Doctors are not concerned that I am mildly hypertension - they chalk it up to my weight (I need to lose some). I tried BP meds but we have never been able to find a combination that works - they all plunge me down too far and I had fainting spells (during cycling mind you) so I told doctors, no more meds and they didn't argue.

Mine is typically 120 something/60 something (no BP meds) yet when I see my doctor its 140-155/70+. "White coat syndrome".
So he has me check it at home. Not sure why.

I've been dealing with primary hypertension for many years. Been on and off many, many different meds. Another case of Lab Coat Syndrome, here, though my GP doesn't buy it. I measure fine at home and off the charts in his office. He finally admitted defeat (a wise man) and sent me to a Cardiologist specializing in hypertension. Over the past few years of continuing, ramped up cycling he's grown happier and happier. Now, between that and a small change in meds I measured 122/86 the last I saw him a week ago. At home, it's low enough at times to get me a little light headed.

Usually about 115/70 or lower. Never been an issue for me. Cholesterol on the other hand

Had this problem. My faint spells usually came after comming off a hard pull and stopping at a light, or topping a hill.

Had a MI in 2008 and "protocol" dictated beta blockers. Hypertension was not a problem for me, even at 290 as I was then. they have cut my dosage on that way back, and my bp is fine. I have a genetic predisposition to unhealthy cholesterol levels. Meds and diet have gotten that under control, to where my statin has now been cut in half

about 8"

120/80, way down in the past two years since I started riding regularly. Took off 80 lbs, and got off of the bp medications which had some, umm, embarassing side affects. Someone quotes The Byrds "I was so much older then, I'm younger then than now" in their sig, exactly how I feel.

I am the one so far way up there at 160/79.

Yea I know it is high and I have been telling the Nurse that it is not normal and with the amount of exercise- diet -weight and everything else I am doing to correct it--I am in trouble.

Finally got put on Ramipril a couple of months ago and it I am no longer getting the 170+ readings. Just got to get the dosage upped but even trying to get an appointment to see the doc is almost impossible. Reckon I may have to change docs.

You might want to learn the types of BP meds you are on - e.g., going to an emergency room for another problem, they are going to want to know. Also, there are different side effects and interplay with other meds.

Also, for anyone not "in the know" - current med thought on BP - anything over 130/90 is of concern. Years ago - many years, 100+ your age was considered an OK systolic pressure. I understand that European medicine has a different viewpoint on BP. Anyone have any insight on that?

In the UK you're unlikely to be treated unless it is above 140/90 for a while. Maybe advised to lose some weight, take some exercise, eat less salt in the pre-hypertensive stage.

I check mine from time to time and it is amazingly sensitive to my weight. If I'm under 200lbs (BMI c.25) it is usually around 120 or 125/70. If my weight rises towards 210 the BP follows, tending to be 130/80. As things stand I am about 195 lbs and sure enough, the BP is fine.

Interestingly, volume of exercise doesn't seem to matter nearly as much, in my case. I rode just as much at 210lbs as at 195lbs.

Last week, 118/72, check BP about once a week. Now that I'm exercising regularly, the BP is improving.

Which is why the doctor decided to put me on BP med. I told the doctor my BP had been this (130/90) for years with no problems (no spikes or increases) and prior doctors were not concerned. Finding the right medication was a nightmare... no dose was low enough. I was cutting 5 mg tabs in half and then quarters and still having fainting spells - and yes CommuteCommando - same situations as you although several times climbing a long hill on dirt, I just fainted off the bike. Friends found me landing out cold in the dirt. Thanks goodness I was not riding along side a steep dropoff!

It got to either I stopped riding so I could take meds or I stopped taking meds so I could keep riding...

One thing in my favor is that my bad cholestrol is very low and good high so don't have that risk factor. Other than bad joints, I'm pretty healthy.

I haven't been to the doctor since I started riding this spring. Before that It was a little low the doctor said but nothing to be concerned about. So I wasn't concerned enough to remember the numbers.

Same. Severe white coat syndrome.. I normally run 120/68 but that jumps to 150/85 as soon as I walk into the docs office. Maybe because my livelihood depends on passing medicals every 6 months.

I keep a log at home for the doc to keep him happy.

I take low dose HCTZ (diuretic) and Lisinopril. Last time I was at the doctor's office BP was 117 over 73.