Kelly’s Story

The year is 2007. Kelly is a married woman age 35, a teacher, and the mother of four neat kids. She got a rude awakening one day about the importance of her blood numbers. Specifically, that shock was about her high blood pressure.

During all of her doctor visits between 1990 and 2007, Kelly’s doctors and nurses regularly checked her blood pressure and noticed it ran a little high. That was especially true with her higher (systolic) pressure, somewhere around 145-160. But, they figured it must be what doctors and nurses call “white coat hypertension.” That is the well-known tendency of some patients to show higher blood pressure in a doctor’s office simply because of nervousness. So, Kelly’s doctor did not think medications were needed, even though Kelly’s parents, grandparents, and other relatives had a history of blood pressure problems.  

Then one beautiful Saturday in 2007, Kelly was helping her friend Sarah sell Sarah’s delicious salsa at the farmers market. Kelly was very relaxed and was enjoying the day. But that Saturday turned out to be a significant turning point in her life. 

The local fire department had a fire truck and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) at the farmers’ market. They were doing free blood pressure checks, so Kelly decided to get tested. She got a HUGE surprise!!! Her blood pressure was WAY too high at 221/98, or 221 systolic (higher #) over 98 diastolic (lower #). So they checked a second time. Same result. NOT good!!! 

Normal healthy blood pressure runs about 120-130/70-80 or usually called 120-130 (systolic) over 70-80 (diastolic). Blood pressure over 150 systolic (the higher or first figure) can cause all kinds of heart and brain injuries and other damage.

The EMTs were very concerned and immediately asked Kelly if she felt OK. She said, “sure.” She felt relaxed. Not stressed, no chest pain or pain down her arms. But, again, this was a Saturday, and Kelly’s doctor’s office was not open.

The EMTs advised her that she should go to the emergency room right away if she ever felt any chest pain, arm pain, or other heart symptoms. They also said she should drink plenty of fluids and eat light foods for the next two days. Finally, they told her to call her doctor’s office first thing Monday morning. They advised her to share the results of her EMT blood pressure check (again 221/98) and to insist on being seen right away.

Kelly felt fine the rest of Saturday but was concerned. The next day, Sunday, she went to a family gathering. While there, she noticed she had “hot sweats,” a rapid heartbeat, no appetite, and felt “strange.” She also remembered the EMT warning about going to the emergency room. 

Kelly and her husband left for the ER right away. The ER doctor again found a high blood pressure of over 200, so he kept her for two hours for observation and gave her meds to reduce the blood pressure. When the pressure came down, they discharged her with orders to see her family doctor Monday, i.e., the very next morning.

On Monday morning, her family doctor got Kelly in right away. They ran a few tests, and quickly diagnosed her chronic high blood pressure. Kelly is now on permanent medication. Her pressure is under control and has been fine ever since. She also has a home blood pressure monitor, checks herself regularly, and always takes her medications. 

Kelly is now VERY aware of how important it is to know your blood numbers, including blood pressure. It was a close call, and Kelly knows she was lucky she didn’t have any severe problems that weekend. 

But, just like Kelly, all of us need to be aware of our important blood numbers. And when those numbers are running too high or too low, we need to take action.