Quick medical question: what does it mean when the two figures of a blood-pressure reading (systolic and diastolic) are the same? For example, if I have a BP of 94/94?
Disclaimer: I have NO medical qualifications whatsoever and the very thought of going to the doctor makes me feel faint, but my initial reaction (let's call it an "engineering reaction to pressure systems" to avoid any queasiness) would be that having the numbers the same would not be a good thing - I would have thought that you'd want the heart to be able to deliver higher pressure if you're in an adrenaline rush situation (running for a train, after a cat, from a smelly creep). Having both numbers the same seems unusal, which is why I'd check the machine or get a second reading. The nurse usually has to take mine twice since the first time I'm usually stressed about leaving my car in a ticket-prone street and being at the doctor's office, and this causes her to frown in a "28 year olds should not have a BP of seven zillion over 157" sort of way. Second time it's usually more reasonable.
OK, several hours and several cups of coffee after previous reading: it is now 112/103. Still horribly similar. Would go to doctor, but reaction seems to depend on some arcane factor unconnected with reading or medical history: last time I was told there was nothing wrong with me, maybe coming down with a cold; time before that it was 'dangerously high, not sure you should be flying to Denmark tomorrow'. And there's the long wait, and / or fight with receptionist ...
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