I'm confused re: which number is high for "high blood pressure"

Re: I'm confused re: which number is high for "high blood pressure"

• inluv4life2 member

  January 2014

  I'd say that counts. Call!

  I hope to create a real siggy but first I need some sleep!
  
  Mom to Lily and Colin!
  

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• Rbfdac1 member

  January 2014

  I would call just to be on the safe side if I were you.
  
  But for reference- I delivered at 37 weeks due to elevated bp. My OB was mostly concerned with the lower number- he did not want it over 90. The top number he was not very concerned about and it varied from 120 to the 140s. If I had the 135/75 reading that you had they would have been very pleased.
  
  But that's my situation- give your doc a call.

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• kak808 member

  January 2014

  I just took it again and it's dropped to 117/72. Maybe the first one was a fluke?  I'll wait and few minutes and then do a tie breaker...

  

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• eg214 member

  January 2014 edited January 2014

  I would call. I've struggled with BP issues for weeks, but have no symptoms like you do. When any number reaches more than 140/90 (142/82, 137/94, etc) you need to notify your MW/DR. Given that you have the other symptoms, don't play and call right away. It could be nothing, it could be something. Not worth it.

  
  

  Also should note that since your DR gave you the "anything over 120/80" marker...you should call. From what I understand, Pre-E/E can come on very rapidly.

  
  

  PCOS // Loss 3/2010 // Single Mom // Natural Birth // DC Metro // Baby Girl Born 2/2/2014
  

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• cattuccino member

  January 2014 edited January 2014

  This thread makes me even more confused about what would constitute as high BP. 
  120/80 isn't considered high, in fact, I was always lead to believe that was perfectly normal/ideal for everyone. Given pregnancy a bit higher I figured was tolerable. 

  
  

  However, I suppose since your pre-pregnancy baseline is significantly lower, your Dr must be taking that into consideration - and if you were instructed to call if it goes higher than 120/80, then yes, I'd go ahead and call
  
  

  Anytime you're worried - call. Worrying is going to affect your BP too, so peace of mind is worth a call  

  
  

  Edited to fix numbers. 120/8 blood pressure would be dead x_X

    

   

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• kak808 member

  January 2014

  I've checked again and my BP has continued to go down, but I did still leave a msg with the dr. Honestly, it's a bit awkward because I don't think he's ever really concerned about my BP, but the nurse is *always* on me about it because my pre-preg baseline is pretty low and she's the one who set the 120/80 cut-off. Therefore, I think it's likely the dr will call back and be like 'meh.'

  
  

  But yeah, as you all mentioned, I think for most people 120/80 would be totally fine! 

  

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• sdlaura member

  January 2014

  I was told 140/90

  BFP #1 9/2010 (lost our baby at 21 weeks) BFP #2 8/2011 (ectopic pregnancy) BFP #3 10/2011 (chemical pregnancy) BFP #4 12/2011 (Abigail born 8/15/12) BFP #5 5/2013 (Griffin born 1/23/14 with heart defects, now repaired!)

  
  

   

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• cattuccino member

  January 2014

  Glad it's going down - and glad you called!
  If/when you hear back you should ask what numbers you should be worried about, so no more confusion?

    

   

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• magentawarped member

  January 2014

  I just asked my doc about this the other day. My "call immediately" number is 160/110, but I have high blood pressure normally. He said that the lower number is the more important one to watch for, but I would call anyway if just the top were concerningly high. Since your baseline is lower, he may just want to keep an eye on it.

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• kak808 member

  January 2014

  I didn't hear back from my dr (he says to call his cell first), so I talked to the on-call OB. She said she's not too concerned since my BP is now down, but that I should rest for the remainder of the night and lay on my left side to try to reduce fluid and get my BP to stay low. She also said to call first thing tomorrow morning and come in to get checked out.  

  
  

  I'm glad I don't have to go to the hospital tonight -- I'm only 35w5d. I didn't want my baby girl to be forced into making an appearance already!

  
  

  

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• shellbell3845 member

  January 2014

  I was sent to L&D Monday because my doctor said the bottom number was too high. She gave a range where the number should be, and by the time I was sent home, it was way lower.

  F14 January Siggy Challenge: Gym/Fitness Fails

  
  

      

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• mdr619 member

  January 2014

  L12541 said:

  I was told 140/90

  Mine was 140/94 at my last appointment.  Doc acknowledged it but didn't seem too concerned.
  

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• kak808 member

  January 2014

  Just to follow up, I saw the dr today. Apparently my OB is out of town so I saw a different one. My BP was nice and low this morning and I didn't have any protein in my urine, so he said he's not concerned at this time, but I could be "heading towards preeclampsia." Great. So, I'm supposed to continue to keep an eye on things.  It could have been much worse, so I am relieved, but I really wish I didn't have to deal with this continual pre-e scare issue!

  

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