Could doctor stress be causing hypertension?

I WENT to the GP a few times over the last couple of months and he said my blood pressure was high. I went to him about something else initially — my skin, as my eczema is bad — and I think I just get stressed when I get checked by the doctor. However, he says he thinks I might need to take medication. Any suggestions?

WHEN we measure blood pressure we measure one number ‘over’ another. Ideally we want it to be below 140/90. If you are over 65 or overweight this could be the cause.

High salt, caffeine or alcoholbased diets can adversely affect it. Poor sleep, stress, smoking or lack of exercise can all contribute. Doctors usually take the best reading of three to estimate your actual blood pressure and whether you have hyopertension or not. When you go to the surgery, I would suggest you do so on a day you aren’t stressed or rushed. Arrive early and settle in to your consultation for five minutes before being checked. Interestingly stress due to being in the doctors can push the top number of blood pressure up by as much as 30 points, so this is a real consideration.

So what can you do? You can have a 24-hour blood pressure monitor fitted to give a true picture of your blood pressure. This is a very simple process, and many surgeries have their own monitors that you can use.

You could also measure your blood pressure at home simply with a digital device. Either of these tests will usually decipher whether it’s you or the actual visit to the doctor which is pushing the numbers up.

If the diagnosis is ultimately one of high blood pressure it is something you can’t ignore. Treatment is initiated to prevent problems such as stroke and heart attack. Most patients can’t understand why they have to take tablets when they feel fine, and that’s the dangerous thing with blood pressure. Many patients don’t know they have it because of the absence of symptoms, until it is too late. I FEEL cold all the time. It annoys my partner as I’m always turning the heating up full blast. Is this something I should have checked by my GP?

FEELING cold when others feel fine isn’t in itself a medical issue. However if your cold feeling seems to be disproportionate to both your surroundings and that of others, then it does warrant a check.

Anaemia may be the cause. If you think of red blood cells as the petrol that keeps your engine ticking over, in anaemia you simply haven’t got sufficient amounts of high quality petrol.

It has numerous causes, including diet and heavy periods.

Other long terms conditions can contribute too, for example coeliac disease or rheumatoid arthritis.

At particular times in our lives, such as during the menopause, we are also more likely to be anaemic.

Symptoms include dizziness, fatigue and palpitations.

An underactive thyroid gland is another possibility. The thyroid sets the tone for your entire metabolism.

When it becomes under active, temperature can be affected with the patient feeling the cold more easily. Other symptoms include fatigue, constipation and weight gain.

Problems with circulation may also be a possible cause.

Raynaud’s disease is particularly common in women. When this occurs there is spasm in blood vessels to the hands and feet resulting in icy coldness. It frequently runs in families.

Losing weight can be another factor.

Fat is an insulator, so brisk or sudden weight loss will mean you have lost some of the fat that kept you warm.

Diabetes and artery disease are two other potential but less likely causes in someone of your age. Certain medications may also be contributing. Beta blockers are a case in point, as cold peripheries are a well known side effect.

Whilst your love of the electric blanket may simply be normal for you, it is still worth getting checked out. Arrange an appointment to see your GP.