Blood pressure

[Sulli]

I had a quick search on here trying to find an answer and sadly couldn't. I have a job in the pipeline for track maintenance operative and had my medical today. Aced everything apart from blood pressure, my lowest reading was 146/80. I believe the nerves got to me. And the caffeine i always have in my system.

Does anybody know what the next stage is? Am i out? the BUPA nurse said that she needs to book an appointment for a years time.

Any help would be muchly appreciated.

 

[Johncleesefan]

Its fairly common. They will just monitor it for a bit. Try cut back the caffeine

 

[Crossover]

There's almost certainly an element of 'white coat' syndrome - I don't work in the railway industry but have been having BP challenge lately and my reading is usually higher at the doctors whereas at home it is fairly normal

 

[alxndr]

I know someone who struggles with his BP, he's on medication and currently being sent to BUPA every few months, and possibly still has a "must be accompanied" restriction on his PTS due to it, I know he did at one point. Off the top of my head I think he was told if it rose above 170 then he'd be sent home, not even allowed to do light duties.

However, this is all anecdotal and I may have got the numbers slightly wrong. I tend to zone out after hearing the same story ten times a week!

 

[Crossover]

170 over something is plausible, and not good I think the bottom figure is the one they tend to watch though

 

[alxndr]

170 over something is plausible, and not good I think the bottom figure is the one they tend to watch though

The guy I know never mentioned the diastolic (bottom) figure, just kept harping on about the systolic. That said he has been 168/something, so that may have specifically been the relevant one for him.

Either is not good to have high, but generally a systolic (top) number is more indicative of potential strokes or heart attacks, so I'd imagine they'd be pretty concerned about that.

 

[Crossover]

The guy I know never mentioned the diastolic (bottom) figure, just kept harping on about the systolic. That said he has been 168/something, so that may have specifically been the relevant one for him.

Either is not good to have high, but generally a systolic (top) number is more indicative of potential strokes or heart attacks, so I'd imagine they'd be pretty concerned about that.

My doctor has recently being most interested in my bottom figure being below 90. I have been on medication for a few months but am currently off it for a trial period and monitoring it myself (I got picked up when I had headaches which appear to be actually being caused by my back/neck). Doctor has advised my top should be below 150 for now (I have recently being getting around the 'ideal' 120/80 so I'm hoping it'll stay so). It's usually a bit higher when I'm at the docs

 

[Bayum]

The guy I know never mentioned the diastolic (bottom) figure, just kept harping on about the systolic. That said he has been 168/something, so that may have specifically been the relevant one for him.

Either is not good to have high, but generally a systolic (top) number is more indicative of potential strokes or heart attacks, so I'd imagine they'd be pretty concerned about that.

The diastolic can become problematic if it's high.

The systolic will almost definitely be what they are concerned about - a systolic of 120 is considered 'normal'. The higher the systolic the harder the heart is having to pump to get blood around the body.

I should explain that the systolic pressure doesn't make the heart work harder - it is a measure of the pressure the heart exerts in the vessels when it pumps.

 

[Crossover]

The diastolic can become problematic if it's high.

The systolic will almost definitely be what they are concerned about - a systolic of 120 is considered 'normal'. The higher the systolic the harder the heart is having to pump to get blood around the body.

I should explain that the systolic pressure doesn't make the heart work harder - it is a measure of the pressure the heart exerts in the vessels when it pumps.

Thanks for that Bayum - an easy to understand summary that I've been after a while

 

[Bayum]

Thanks for that Bayum - an easy to understand summary that I've been after a while

Glad to help.

Blood pressure can be very confusing, but it's never explained enough to people why it's such an issue.

If you were going to get really technical, you'd actually say it was the pressure exerted by the blood pressing against the vessels as it is being pushed around the body - but again, using a definition like this you lose the significance of high blood pressure as it doesn't explain the stress the heart is under.

 

[Sulli]

Thanks for the quick responses guys. It really put a downer on my day when i got that result. Glad to hear it shouldn't have too much of an effect on my job.

I hoped when the nurse said book an appointment with a gp and go back for a checkup in a year that it didn't mean i was going to be put on hold from the job for a year and it was just going to be a more regular checkup. It was all especially worrying as i left what was my current job on Thursday after getting so fed up with it i couldn't take it any more so the thought of leaving with this job in the pipeline to going to nothing was not a pleasant image.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Glad to help.

Blood pressure can be very confusing, but it's never explained enough to people why it's such an issue.

If you were going to get really technical, you'd actually say it was the pressure exerted by the blood pressing against the vessels as it is being pushed around the body - but again, using a definition like this you lose the significance of high blood pressure as it doesn't explain the stress the heart is under.

Cardiac Output = Systemic Vascular Resistance x Stroke Volume

 

[andylee7]

Just passed a medical for trainee train driver with a reading off 179/70
At home I normly get in the range of 115/60 to 122/60
Been on medication for a couple of weeks, I took evedidence of readings at home and note from own doctor about my white coat syndrome, it must of helped

 

[Diplodicus]

Ask your GP to provide 24 hr "ambulatory vp monitoring". This sorts out "white coat syndrome".

 

[Crossover]

The advice I was given was to get to the doctors in good time and do some breathing exercises to relax a bit. I did this last time and the reading was lower than previously
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Cardiac Output = Systemic Vascular Resistance x Stroke Volume

And now you've just made it more complicated

 

[47802]

I definitely have white coat syndrome when come to blood pressure as a 24 hour blood pressure monitor showed.

However I recently applied for Bus Driver Job with Arriva, I was provisionally offered a job and then had the medical.

The quack( I think calling him a doctor would be too generous) who gave me the medical told me my blood pressure was marginal 165/95 without white coat syndrome its normally about 150/85 ish. The limit for PSV/HGV is 180/100. I told him about my white coat syndrome but didn't seem interested. He asked me to get previous readings however my surgery told me it would be normal practice for him to contact my surgery directly, but they reluctantly gave me some past reading with I delivered to his surgery reception.

I enquired as to what was happening a number of times in the following weeks to be told they were still waiting for the doctor. The last phone call I had said that the doctor couldn't seem to find the readings I had sent. Eventually after about 3 months I got fed up and sent a letter of compliant to HR but got no response, not even a no you've failed the medical.

I hope things get handled a bit more professionally on Network Rail and the TOC's

 

[ralphchadkirk]

I'm not sure it's possible to have a blood pressure of 85/150!

 

[47802]

I'm not sure it's possible to have a blood pressure of 85/150!

yes sorry obviously that should have been 150/85