What causes the ups and downs in the blood pressure readings?
Patient: i am 52 year old woman, overweight and trying to lose the weight but in the mean time i am racked with up and down readings from my brand new bp machine....i took a reading before exercising and it read 122/57 then after a 10 minute walk (a bunch of stair outside) and it was 152/75.  that is quite a jump, isn't it.  granted i did take it the second time right after the exercise...after a full 15 minutes later it is now 119/60.  is this all normal?  is there a place or slot i should fit into for women in their 50's ? Doctor: HiActually a reading of 152/75 after being active like walking isn't that much of a jump and really is fairly predictable.On the whole, your optimal blood pressure should average in the 110-120/70's range