# My BP must be as low as I can get it by tomorrow afternoon. Help. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 16, 2017, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bp-must-be-as-low-as-i-can-get-it-by-tomorrow-afternoon-help/782358 "2017-03-16T23:21:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2017, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bp-must-be-as-low-as-i-can-get-it-by-tomorrow-afternoon-help/782358/41 "2017-03-18T20:56:56Z")
Came in here to say propranolol, but it’s looks like that’s been covered, LOL. Don’t smoke or drink anything to ‘relax’ 24 hours prior, it’s counterproductive. No caffeine. Loose fitting clothing, and some nice relaxation exercises throughout the morning of the test. Can’t say they’ll work, but they’ll all help. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2017, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bp-must-be-as-low-as-i-can-get-it-by-tomorrow-afternoon-help/782358/42 "2017-03-18T23:00:39Z")
I gotta say…I’m finding the valium to be a bit of a let-down, in a recreational sense. ---
**Author:** ![DeptfordX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DeptfordX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeptfordX)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2017, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bp-must-be-as-low-as-i-can-get-it-by-tomorrow-afternoon-help/782358/43 "2017-03-18T23:37:29Z")
Can you get a machine to do it? My BP always spikes 20 points when a doctor takes it, but they have a machine in their surgerys waiting room. I just pop in once a month and check it with that and it’s automatically sent to my records, and I never get the spike when I’m using that. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2017, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bp-must-be-as-low-as-i-can-get-it-by-tomorrow-afternoon-help/782358/44 "2017-03-19T00:09:32Z")
> [@DeptfordX](#): > > Can you get a machine to do it? My BP always spikes 20 points when a doctor takes it, but they have a machine in their surgerys waiting room. I just pop in once a month and check it with that and it’s automatically sent to my records, and I never get the spike when I’m using that. Yep, I have a decent one I got at CVS. Seems to be pretty accurate…throws me something really goofy now and then, but I trust it more or less. Unfortunately for this situation, it must be a reading taken in the clinic office, with no regard for nerves etc. Kind of bullshit if you ask me…even a regular DOT physical the Dr. can certify you provisionally with hypertension…for this job, it’s a flat over or under. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2017, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bp-must-be-as-low-as-i-can-get-it-by-tomorrow-afternoon-help/782358/45 "2017-03-19T06:31:18Z")
A benzo just to get your blood pressure artificially lowered for the sake of a test? I mean, when my doctor was considering Valium, one of the main things I was told was that I should not drive with it–that, even if I felt fine, my reaction times would be slowed. So it really does seem they’re just giving you that to get you past the test–which suggests the test is too rigid. Heck, they actually know at my doctor’s office that my BP is going to be higher than it really is, and go by my home readings. There’s just no way that having to walk all the way back there and then sit down immediately will not produce bad results. You must be resting for at least 5 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2017, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bp-must-be-as-low-as-i-can-get-it-by-tomorrow-afternoon-help/782358/46 "2017-03-19T14:52:01Z")
One time when a physician’s assistant was due to come over to our house for a life insurance mini-physical, I employed the Bubba technique to ensure my blood pressure was within normal limits. Bubba was a low-key and affectionate small spaniel, and I spent about 20 minutes communing with him just before the representative showed up. I felt calmer and my BP stayed low. If the OP has access to a similar type of dog, the results could be beneficial. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2017, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bp-must-be-as-low-as-i-can-get-it-by-tomorrow-afternoon-help/782358/47 "2017-03-19T14:56:43Z")
I think I’m going to be good, guys. Pretty consistent high one-teens/low seventies this morning. I don’t recall EVER having a reading that low. I don’t plan on doing any yard work or anything stressful today…maybe putter around tidying up the garage, doing a jigsaw or playing video games. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2017, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bp-must-be-as-low-as-i-can-get-it-by-tomorrow-afternoon-help/782358/48 "2017-03-19T18:07:02Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > A benzo just to get your blood pressure artificially lowered for the sake of a test? > > I mean, when my doctor was considering Valium, one of the main things I was told was that I should not drive with it–that, even if I felt fine, my reaction times would be slowed. > > So it really does seem they’re just giving you that to get you past the test–which suggests the test is too rigid. > > Heck, they actually know at my doctor’s office that my BP is going to be higher than it really is, and go by my home readings. There’s just no way that having to walk all the way back there and then sit down immediately will not produce bad results. You must be resting for at least 5 minutes. The propanalol should be what’s helping with the blood pressure. It’s prescribed for that, as well as anxiety and migraines. The valium is just something extra, to really cover the bases on the stress. Good luck tomorrow **Sicks Ate**! ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bp-must-be-as-low-as-i-can-get-it-by-tomorrow-afternoon-help/782358/49 "2017-03-20T03:06:12Z")
I find it makes a difference how I sit. Try sitting straight up but relaxed. If you stoop over then you’re squishing various veins/arteries. Close your eyes and go to your happy place or pick a [mantra](http://selfhelprobot.com/51-meditation-mantras-list)to focus on. Practice at home and see what works. Switch off arms to see if you do better with one. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bp-must-be-as-low-as-i-can-get-it-by-tomorrow-afternoon-help/782358/50 "2017-03-20T13:44:32Z")
Holy shit that was close. 136/78, but that’s good enough. Thanks everyone for the ideas and support. Gotta go to work and submit a resignation! ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bp-must-be-as-low-as-i-can-get-it-by-tomorrow-afternoon-help/782358/51 "2017-03-20T15:11:47Z")
You made it? Cool! ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bp-must-be-as-low-as-i-can-get-it-by-tomorrow-afternoon-help/782358/52 "2017-03-20T17:37:39Z")
Congrats! ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bp-must-be-as-low-as-i-can-get-it-by-tomorrow-afternoon-help/782358/53 "2017-03-20T21:20:36Z")
Woot! Happy Dance! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-bp-must-be-as-low-as-i-can-get-it-by-tomorrow-afternoon-help/782358.md?page=2)