OK folks,

I am one who obsesses over my blood pressure. Every time I take it, my heart rate speeds up significantly. I guess out of fear of my BP being high, which it never is. Should I be concerned about that?

Are you taking your own blood pressure -- or do you mean when you have it taken at the doctor?
If you are taking it yourself, WHY are you doing that? You are just feeding your obsession.
You said that your BP has never been high, so why are you so worried about it?
If you keep working yourself up over your normal BP, you are going to raise your BP by having a racing pulse all the time.
Stop over monitoring yourself!!!
Even if its really hard, you need to let go of this one. It definitly falls under the "what if" category.
Stop the cycle now before you fret and worry yourself sick.
Take care and do the relaxation tape when you feel anxious or want to monitor your vitals.
-- Kim

TVgirl:
I have had a really fast pulse in the doctor's office many times (and at home). I was having over a 100 beats a minute (and my blood pressure would get rather high). But since taking antidepressants and learning different relaxation techniques, my blood pressure is low and my pulse is much slower.

I agree with klinville- put away your medical equipment !

I've been taking a beta-blocker to help control the heartrate and other symptoms typically associated with the "fight or flight" reaction in your body to panic. Its typical use is in high blood pressure, angina and heart failure. While it's not a magic pill for anxiety, it certainly does slow things down and make me less shaky in these situations. Some people I know take them before presentations to take the edge off. Ive taken them before presentations and I still get anxious, but not as noticable. I asked my therapist about it and he said other colleagues of his treat their patients with beta blockers. But he didn't feel comfortable since he had no experience. So I had my friend prescribe it and made sure I read the warnings/interactions/contraindications carefully. I don't think you can take with some CNS drugs like MAO Inhibitors. And the relaxation techniques are key. Because that's the only way you truly can overcome your symptoms.

All of you are exactly right. I'm putting the monitor away. I know i'm doing it to myself, & i need to stop.

Thanks for setting me straight!

I've had a rapid heartrate for years now. I've taken betablockers and I've just lived with it. I've even been to a heart specialist and had all kinds of special tests. They can't find anything so I guess it is anxiety. My heartrate is over 100 bpm 85% of the time. I haven't given blood in over 12 years because my pulse is always over 100 and they won't take my blood because of it. It isn't killing me. I'm used to it I guess. I'm hoping that going through the program will help.