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Is A Blood Pressure Reading Of 187/106 A Cause For Concern?

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Posted on Wed, 17 Feb 2016
Twitter Wed, 17 Feb 2016 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 25 Apr 2016 Last reviewed on
Question : We just purchased a blood pressure cuff and My wife blood pressure is 187 over 106 what should I do
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
if having alarming symptoms, need to be seen as soon as possible

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

It is understandable to be concerned but in the absence of heart or stroke related symptoms, she can be seen by her doctor as soon as possible within the next few days and would not require emergency attention.

Heart symptoms- chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations or Stroke- numbness or altered sensation on one side, weakness, asymmetry of the face

If any of these are present , she would need be seen as soon as possible.

Have seen patients come in with blood pressures of 200/110 or more.

It is important however, to make sure that the cuff is appropriate and the reading is done accurately.
This means,(a) she should have been seated for at least 5 minutes,
(b) her arm fully extended and resting on something ,
(c) the arm should be at heart level or the reading will also be inaccurate if it is too low or too high
(d)the cuff should be the right size for her arm, if it is too small for the arm then the reading is going to be falsely high

If all of this is done and the reading is still high then she should make an appointment to see her doctor (once have no alarming symptoms).

There are no home treatment that can bring a blood pressure at this level to normal.
Exercise, diet changes can cause changes but not by enough to make it normal. Medication would be needed along with the diet changes and exercise.

She can take aspirin for the time being (once has no allergies or problems with aspirin) till her appointment.
This would reduce complication risk

Summary: (1) if having chest pain , shortness of breath, palpitations, weakness, numbness etc- need to seen as soon as possible by emergency services

(2) if none of these present, can make an appointment to see a doctor within the next few days

would need medication if still high when seen by doctor

This is combined with diet and exercise

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16845 Questions

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Is A Blood Pressure Reading Of 187/106 A Cause For Concern?

Brief Answer: if having alarming symptoms, need to be seen as soon as possible Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic It is understandable to be concerned but in the absence of heart or stroke related symptoms, she can be seen by her doctor as soon as possible within the next few days and would not require emergency attention. Heart symptoms- chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations or Stroke- numbness or altered sensation on one side, weakness, asymmetry of the face If any of these are present , she would need be seen as soon as possible. Have seen patients come in with blood pressures of 200/110 or more. It is important however, to make sure that the cuff is appropriate and the reading is done accurately. This means,(a) she should have been seated for at least 5 minutes, (b) her arm fully extended and resting on something , (c) the arm should be at heart level or the reading will also be inaccurate if it is too low or too high (d)the cuff should be the right size for her arm, if it is too small for the arm then the reading is going to be falsely high If all of this is done and the reading is still high then she should make an appointment to see her doctor (once have no alarming symptoms). There are no home treatment that can bring a blood pressure at this level to normal. Exercise, diet changes can cause changes but not by enough to make it normal. Medication would be needed along with the diet changes and exercise. She can take aspirin for the time being (once has no allergies or problems with aspirin) till her appointment. This would reduce complication risk Summary: (1) if having chest pain , shortness of breath, palpitations, weakness, numbness etc- need to seen as soon as possible by emergency services (2) if none of these present, can make an appointment to see a doctor within the next few days would need medication if still high when seen by doctor This is combined with diet and exercise I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions