I've read that if the 1st BP reading is significantly higher than the 2nd taken within few minutes gap then that first reading should be discarded.
In my case, the first reading was hypertensive (160/105) but the second was dramatically lower (120/70) which is taken within few minutes of gap and came perfectly normal. I was quite more tense and anxious during the second reading, upon hearing the 1st reading. The second reading was closer to what I usually get when a BP reading is done.
The doctor said the 2nd reading was the one to go by.
My questions are:
1) Why is the 1st reading discarded in favor of the 2nd? Is it unknown problem of the BP measurement itself?
2) Would this still be considered as: White Coat Hypertension?
I've read that some medical practitioners regard White Coat hypertension as a milder type of hypertension or as pre-hypertension (prognosticator of future hypertension).
One day I went to the doctor and my BP reading was 155/100. My doc is late on that particular date by 2 hours so I was pretty agitated. I saw the BP reading and requested the nurse for the second. I did 30 seconds of deep breathing and relaxation then said to go for the second. The Second reading was 127/79 which is closer to my average at home.
How amazing these 30 seconds of relaxation can make?