Yup, you read that correctly. Though most people want to find ways to lower their blood pressure (because, as we all know from the commercials, diet and exercise are not enough), I have found a foolproof method to raise it. Simply tell the person to “relax.”
For the past year or so I’ve been on medications that affect my blood pressure, I couldn’t count how many times and by how many nurses I’ve been told that in various ways. Among some of my favorites are: “think relaxing thoughts”; “imagine yourself on a sandy beach”; “take a deep breath”; and the ever-popular “try to calm down.” As if I see them coming at me with the blood pressure cuff and purposely try to get myself riled up?? I know better than anyone the dangers of high blood pressure while at the hospital, the worst of which being them not letting you leave until it lowers to an “acceptable” level. First of all, for some *strange* reason, my blood pressure is always higher at the hospital. Second of all, the nurse probably just raised my blood pressure several points by telling me three times to take a deep breath and calm myself down. And finally, this would all go away if you just let me go home and take my dang blood pressure medication!
Ironically, as I’m writing this post in my hospital bed after an nine-hour day that included multiple blood draws and doctor’s appointments, a platelet transfusion, and a blood transfusion, not to mention hours of waiting, the nurse is taking my blood pressure. She just told me to “think good blood pressure thoughts.” How does one do that exactly? It’s 132/92, but that might be because I’m biting my tongue to keep from laughing. She just cleared me to leave. I’m busting out of here before they can stop me or, heaven forbid, force me to relax!
For the past year or so I’ve been on medications that affect my blood pressure, I couldn’t count how many times and by how many nurses I’ve been told that in various ways. Among some of my favorites are: “think relaxing thoughts”; “imagine yourself on a sandy beach”; “take a deep breath”; and the ever-popular “try to calm down.” As if I see them coming at me with the blood pressure cuff and purposely try to get myself riled up?? I know better than anyone the dangers of high blood pressure while at the hospital, the worst of which being them not letting you leave until it lowers to an “acceptable” level. First of all, for some *strange* reason, my blood pressure is always higher at the hospital. Second of all, the nurse probably just raised my blood pressure several points by telling me three times to take a deep breath and calm myself down. And finally, this would all go away if you just let me go home and take my dang blood pressure medication!
Ironically, as I’m writing this post in my hospital bed after an nine-hour day that included multiple blood draws and doctor’s appointments, a platelet transfusion, and a blood transfusion, not to mention hours of waiting, the nurse is taking my blood pressure. She just told me to “think good blood pressure thoughts.” How does one do that exactly? It’s 132/92, but that might be because I’m biting my tongue to keep from laughing. She just cleared me to leave. I’m busting out of here before they can stop me or, heaven forbid, force me to relax!
If you need to escape...I know all the exits. Promise this RN won't use the "R" word :-) Thinking of you
ReplyDeleteHaha! :) I feel the need to express my love, gratitude, and deep respect for the Bass Center and LPCH Day Hospital nurses. No matter how much I may complain about and/or make fun of their mishaps, they are amazing and I could never do their job.
ReplyDeleteI've actually tried to increase my blood pressure!! haha, one time when i went to donate blood it was too low, so now when i go in if I'm not already amped up by something i try to mentally get my adrenaline going. :] not sure if it's necessarily thanks to that, but it hasn't happened again!
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