Blood pressure. Upper number is always significantly higher than lower number

[Derek1987]

So my specialist believes I have hyperpots. I just took my blood pressure laying down. 150/78. I took carvedilol 6.25mg this morning. Is this a typical symptom of hyperpots? 

[jklass44]

It definitely can be a symptom. I have high blood pressure also and the only thing that (mostly) works for me is Clonidine. 

What does your doctor suggest? Have you tried other beta blockers or calcium channel blockers to bring your numbers down?

[Pistol]

HyperPOTS runs in my family and we all have high BP upon standing or with activity. Other symptoms that I have found typical for hyperadrenergic POTS ( in addition to the typical POTS related symptoms )  are: headaches, chest pains when BP is up, cold hands and feet,  tremors, feeling like having a fever, old sweats, … there is more but I can't list them all. I have found some relief from a combination of BB and calcium channel blockers ( fine-tuned over 2 years - no quick fix ) and IV fluids. 

 

[Derek1987]

6 minutes ago, Pistol said:

HyperPOTS runs in my family and we all have high BP upon standing or with activity. Other symptoms that I have found typical for hyperadrenergic POTS ( in addition to the typical POTS related symptoms )  are: headaches, chest pains when BP is up, cold hands and feet,  tremors, feeling like having a fever, old sweats, … there is more but I can't list them all. I have found some relief from a combination of BB and calcium channel blockers ( fine-tuned over 2 years - no quick fix ) and IV fluids. 

 

I understand all of that. My blood pressure always shoots up when I stand up. But my question really is why is my lower number normal and my upper number so high in comparison. That was a reading laying down. Now if I stand up my lower number will rise to the high blood pressure range as well. I was just curious why my upper number is bad but my lower number is good while lying down. It's always the case when laying down. 

[jklass44]

The top number is your systolic blood pressure and it measures the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats. The bottom number is your diastolic blood pressure and it measures the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart rests between beats.

I know that doesn’t really answer your question but maybe it can help you to pinpoint why your BP is the way it is. It sounds like your vessels were resting well in between beats, but were having a harder time keeping up with the blood flow AS it’s beating. 

[Pistol]

@Derek1987 - many people with hyperPOTS have diastolic hypertension, meaning the lower number is high ( above 80 ). In my case both numbers go up when I am active - for example 156/100. If the BP is 150/80 it is still hypertension but the increase in the LOWER number is more serious. It means the heart is working really hard without relaxing in between beats ( just as @jklass44 explained ).  This has a greater risk of heart attack and stroke. 

[Derek1987]

20 hours ago, Pistol said:

@Derek1987 - many people with hyperPOTS have diastolic hypertension, meaning the lower number is high ( above 80 ). In my case both numbers go up when I am active - for example 156/100. If the BP is 150/80 it is still hypertension but the increase in the LOWER number is more serious. It means the heart is working really hard without relaxing in between beats ( just as @jklass44 explained ).  This has a greater risk of heart attack and stroke. 

The lower number is always in a good range when I'm laying down. My upper number can still be high. But when I stand up, both numbers go up. If I'm up for a few minutes, my bottom number will raise over 100. 100-110 usually and then I lay back down. 

[Pistol]

Oh boy @Derek1987 - that is not OK!!! No wonder you are in bed all day!!!! What does your doc say about these readings? My sister and I both have high BP like that but we are much better since on Carvelidol and diltiazem. I know you are taking Carvelidol as well but if your BP is that high you should try another med in addition to the BB. Just increasing the Dosage was not enough in my case but adding the calcium channel blocker was key. Before this combo my sister was on 3 BP meds and none of them helped.   

[Derek1987]

7 hours ago, Pistol said:

Oh boy @Derek1987 - that is not OK!!! No wonder you are in bed all day!!!! What does your doc say about these readings? My sister and I both have high BP like that but we are much better since on Carvelidol and diltiazem. I know you are taking Carvelidol as well but if your BP is that high you should try another med in addition to the BB. Just increasing the Dosage was not enough in my case but adding the calcium channel blocker was key. Before this combo my sister was on 3 BP meds and none of them helped.   

The crazy thing is sometimes my BP is too low. At least according to the internet. Like 104/68 area. I think it's the increase in carvedilol. But then again sometimes it's still mostly high. Still talking about lying down readings. I do have Lisinopril as well. I was taking half a pill when I was on the lower dose of carvedilol.now i When my BP was creeping low, and I stood up my BP would be in the standard good range but my heart rate still increases to 130s/40s if I stand longer than 5-10 mins. As if I'm not taking carvedilol at all. I messaged my specialist on the portal. She really didn't comment on it but she wants me to see a specialist who deals with the adrenal glands I think. An endocrinologist. My body just doesn't want to work right.