Daily blood pressure fluctuations

Dear Ask The Doctor: My blood presure was 201 over 87 and we walked around and it dropped to 171 over 57. And today when I went in to was 171 over 54, then I relaxed and it was 145 over 71. And I feel dizzy and lightheaded .. Why?

Dear Mary:It is normal for blood pressure to fluctuate during the day, in response to activities of daily living. If blood pressure is consistently high or associated with symptoms of headache, visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting and confusion, further investigation is necessary. High blood pressure (BP) is usually diagnosed by a consistent elevation of BP readings, usually on three separate occasions greater than one week apart. If your blood pressure is not consistently elevated, or wide variations are present, a 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor may be useful, to determine if medication is required to control your blood pressure levels.