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What Causes Fluctuation In Blood Pressure Levels?
Question: My blood pressure ranges between 150/118 to 130/103 in the mornings but then by around 4 in the afternoon it goes down to 120/100 to 120/90. What could be causing thus. I have no insurance due to being laid off so going to the doctor is out of the question at this time. Should I really be concerned about this?
Brief Answer:
Hypertension
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I am sorry to see that you are having hypertension. The morning blood pressures are always the highest. This due to your bodies secretion or Cortisol in the morning to wake you. This surge of cortisol not only wakes you but increases blood pressure. As the day goes on the cortisol level drops and your blood pressure drops. So what you are experiencing with the high morning blood pressure is physiologic and normal.
The blood pressures though are high and should be reduced. I usually recommend lifestyle modifications to help reduce blood pressure. 1st lose weight if you are overweight. 2. reduce salt in your diet. Stop all processed foods, canned foods and fast foods. These are all high in sodium and will cause elevated blood pressure. 3. stop alcohol. 4 Exercise daily and I mean at that very least walking 30 -60 minutes daily. It would be better if you did vigorous exercise for 30 minutes. Do these things for the next month and see if you blood pressure reduces.
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Hypertension
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I am sorry to see that you are having hypertension. The morning blood pressures are always the highest. This due to your bodies secretion or Cortisol in the morning to wake you. This surge of cortisol not only wakes you but increases blood pressure. As the day goes on the cortisol level drops and your blood pressure drops. So what you are experiencing with the high morning blood pressure is physiologic and normal.
The blood pressures though are high and should be reduced. I usually recommend lifestyle modifications to help reduce blood pressure. 1st lose weight if you are overweight. 2. reduce salt in your diet. Stop all processed foods, canned foods and fast foods. These are all high in sodium and will cause elevated blood pressure. 3. stop alcohol. 4 Exercise daily and I mean at that very least walking 30 -60 minutes daily. It would be better if you did vigorous exercise for 30 minutes. Do these things for the next month and see if you blood pressure reduces.
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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