Grandma's Blood Pressure Low but getting bp meds?

[sampaperplay]

Hi All,

I am a third year nursing student. My grandma calls me over to her house regularly to take her blood pressure because she is always worried about it. Every time I take it it is on the lower side-- 100-110/60-70. She also always go to shoppers drug mart to take it herself, and the readings are similar to my own.

She recently went to her doctor and she prescribed her rampiril for high blood pressure (the reading she told me the doctor got was 150/100). I asked her if this happened multiple time or if the doctor only took her bp once. She said that that was the only time she took her bp (she goes to a clinic, no family doctor) and that she gave her the prescription and told her to take it as soon as she got home. I thought this was quiet strange considering I take her bp often and it has never been that high. I also asked her if she did anything out of the ordinary before she went to the clinic. The only thing was that she walked there. And even that is not out of the ordinary. She is 72 years old. Fully independent and she walks a lot everyday. She also has no other health problems other them possible some mild arthritis. She is on crestor aas well as vitamin supplements and 81mg aspirin.

I am really puzzled by this and am wondering if anyone has any thought on the subject.

Thanks a lot!!

[roser13, ASN, RN]

I'm sorry, but we are really not allowed to give any medical opinions or advice on this forum. Your grandmother should speak to her doctor about her blood pressure concerns.

[vhern246]

My grandmother had the same issues. I can't tell you to not give her her meds, but I can say that you should take a full record of her bp's taken at least twice a day and give them to her doctor.

The anxiety and excitement of seeing the doctor could be attributed to her high bp.

She really needs a primary care physician. It could really benefit her to setting up a roper with a doctor that knows her history and what usually happens to her.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Maybe you could go with her next time... see if the Doc takes her BP. Or, watch the MA (or whomever). I've seen staff be lazy and try it thru my mom's sweatshirt, all rumpled and folded up under the cuff Nope, guess what? You are going to do it right and while I watch you.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I'm sorry, but this is something you and/or your grandmother needs to discuss with her care provider, as it is beyond the scope of nursing practice to offer medical advice.

Good luck to both of you, and bless you for being so concerned about her. I hope when I'm 72 that my grandkids will be just as concerned about my health. :)