A question from MEEEEEEEEE: Am I within normal blood pressure range?
I went to the doctors the nurse took my blood pressure two times,
first time it was
124/88
second time it was 112/78
and also on the blood pressure moniter, there was another number, 88 with a little heart next to it, is that my heart rate?
I’m 17. Is my blood pressure normal? And why did the nurse take my blood pressure two times?
Most detailed answer:
Answer by Alfredo Garcia
Yes, your BP is fine, and yes the 88 was your heart rate, or pulse. Technically 120/80 is normal, but if you were nervous it could have caused the 124/88 measurement. Also, if the BP cuff was too small, it would have falsely elevated your BP. In order to diagnose hypertension (High BP), you need to do multiple BP readings on different days.
You are fine and perfectly normal.
Agree or disagree? Leave your own thoughts below.
First time was a little (and I mean a little) high for someone your age…probably a little nervous were you? So she waited a little bit and did it again. Normal that time for your age. The 88 is your pulse rate.
A normal blood pressure reading is approximately 120 over 80, and some people may say 110/70. So your BP seems fine.
88 was very likely your heart rate.
She may have taken it twice to ensure that she had an accurate reading, or she may not have had the cuff in the proper place the first time.
your heart is fine…as long as you drink from the holly grail..
Per the American Heart Association, blood pressure should be under 120/80. Higher blood pressures indicate pre-hypertension and hypertension. A study was recently done that indicated that blood pressure should be under 115/70, although many people still consider 120/80 acceptable.
“White Coat Hypertension” occurs when you go to your doctor’s office and you have a higher blood pressure than you do at home. This is often caused by stress. If you blood pressure is high the first time it is taken, the nurse will typically retake it to find out if your blood pressure is truly high or if you were perhaps just nervous.
First of all, yes, you are in the normal range. Second of all, taking blood pressure is more of an art than a science. The way it works is that the nurse constricts the blood flow in your arm with that pump, then they stick the stethoscope in, and as the pressure falls, they watch the dial and listen for a pulse and when they hear it, that’s your blood pressure reading. Well if your nurse is a ditz, she might over-anticipate or under-anticipate the beat. So the fault is usually in the person reading your pressure. I had 2 doctors appointments within 2 hours of each other on the same day and my first appointment my bp was something like 140/90 and my second was like 100/70 — drastically different. If something is wrong with your blood pressure, which would be a rarity at age 17, your doc would discuss it with you. However, if you’re concerned, ask your doctor at your next visit.