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A member asked:
Can holding your breath or tensing up as the blood pressure cuff tightens make your reading higher than normal?
3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Increased BP: Yes. Even talking can affect the reading. When you hold your breath you are increasing intrathoracic pressure and tensing likely has muscle effects and autonomic repsonses. Taking caffeine ,sudaphed, pseudoephrine, high salt foods lots of motrin all have effects. If you have daytime sleepiness check for sleep apnea which is associated with high BP and overweight. Good luck
Answered 8/7/2014
3.8k views
Yes: Strong emotions and tightening up or tensing your muscles can increase arteriolar resistance leading to increase in blood pressure
Answered 8/6/2014
3.8k views
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