Is all high blood pressure hypertension?

Many people find themselves being told, “Your blood pressure is pretty high today.” You might be at the dentist’s office for a filling, in the emergency room getting stitches after an avocado mishap, or maybe you’re at your annual physical appointment. If you’ve never had high blood pressure, you might be surprised at this news Sometimes my own patients will call my office after such an event, “Doc, should I be on blood pressure medication?”

When we get these calls our typical answer is: maybe, but maybe not.

Blood pressure is a dynamic measurement, affected by many things, including adrenalin...