Hi all.

Is there a way to say "how much" blood pressure changed between two readings?

Example:
Reading 1: 135/89
Reading 2: 141/91

Is there a number that represents how much higher (X times, or X percent) the 2nd reading is?

Is there a formula?

Thanks!

I was told that the small fluctuation isn't the main thing, and the RANGE is what's important.

What is a normal reading on a blood pressure chart? | Get.Smarter.com (http://get.smarter.com/qa/health/normal-reading-blood-pressure-chart-f455cddc516520af?qo=contentSimilarQuestions)

Your two examples seems kind of high.

How much time between readings? Did you rest 4 minutes before reading?

What was the activity level prior to the two readings?

Thanks, Tal, ma and J!

I'm really asking a "medical math" question. I gave example readings.

My BP was high at my bi annual physical- very unusual for me. The Dr said to come in every 3-4 days to have it tested. Bunk. I bought a good reader and am checking it twice a day to cover active and inactive times.

I'm really just asking if there is such a term (mathematically speaking) to say "how much" higher or lower one reading is from another. I know that many factors can influence the reading; I'm just looking for a number (the math geek in me) that will represent how much higher or lower one reading is from another.

Is there a formula that will fill in for x in
"reading 2 is x% higher than reading 1"?
or even
"reading 1 (or reading 2) is X above 120/80"

... haha, yeah I know:

OCD, PhD.

No Rick, we don't live in a perfect world and you will not find a mathematical formula to tell you that. Resting blood pressure reading is what you are supposed to go by because when you are physically more active through the day, your blood pressure will naturally go up but stay at a safe level. Of course if you live under a rock your blood pressure would be 120/40 until you exert yourself turning over, then it would go up.

Right. I have a medical background so know how it all works, I've just never tracked readings before so hoped there was a number to show the increase or decrease between readings.

Thanks, all.

In my area of expertise, pregnant women with pressure issues, we don't have the magic formula you are looking for. We simply watch the ebb and flow over a specific time period.

Makes sense. I'm bummed to find that I now have HBP. My Dr was shocked as I have a long history of textbook BP. No diet or lifestyle changes recently except for positive stuff: Quit smoking May 2012 and lost 25 pounds in the last year.

Maybe I should go back to smoking and a meat and potatoes diet :)