Getting blood pressure down...
Discussion
Alcohol and exercise.
I quit drinking (albeit temporarily) after Xmas and at the time the top number on the blood pressure was anywhere between 125 and 145 and the bottom 75 to 85
Done a lot of walking recently, with a run probably once a week.
Eating whatever I fancy.
Been checking it each week this year and its been gradually decreasing. Last weekend saw it read 107/68 first thing in the morning, so realistically it would have crept up a bit throughout the day, but the doc would have been more than happy with that at 40 years old.
Had I gone to the doctor 3 months ago my guess is he would have put my on medication for life, or at least started the discussion.
I quit drinking (albeit temporarily) after Xmas and at the time the top number on the blood pressure was anywhere between 125 and 145 and the bottom 75 to 85
Done a lot of walking recently, with a run probably once a week.
Eating whatever I fancy.
Been checking it each week this year and its been gradually decreasing. Last weekend saw it read 107/68 first thing in the morning, so realistically it would have crept up a bit throughout the day, but the doc would have been more than happy with that at 40 years old.
Had I gone to the doctor 3 months ago my guess is he would have put my on medication for life, or at least started the discussion.
I'm 49, normally fit but over last 6 weeks done sod all, not overweight, don't drink or smoke. diet could be a lot better. Very stressful job.
Last night was 152/79, this morning 140/90 (i think).
Cutting all heavy salt and caffeine out and going for a walk each evening. Also starting to take flaxseed. Not sure how much of a difference it'll make!
Last night was 152/79, this morning 140/90 (i think).
Cutting all heavy salt and caffeine out and going for a walk each evening. Also starting to take flaxseed. Not sure how much of a difference it'll make!
(I'm not a doctor.)
Your numbers sound a little high, but stress and anxiety, time of day, last meal, can all raise an otherwise normal bp to become elevated to that kind of level.
How many readings did you take? You should take at least 3 readings, and if it's coming down after each keep going until it stablises.
If you're feeling perfectly relaxed and the numbers are still in the 140s/90s then worth a chat with your GP over the phone, even if you are doing your own thing to reduce it, the GP might still be useful.
Your numbers sound a little high, but stress and anxiety, time of day, last meal, can all raise an otherwise normal bp to become elevated to that kind of level.
How many readings did you take? You should take at least 3 readings, and if it's coming down after each keep going until it stablises.
If you're feeling perfectly relaxed and the numbers are still in the 140s/90s then worth a chat with your GP over the phone, even if you are doing your own thing to reduce it, the GP might still be useful.
Whatever you do don’t let them bung you straight onto the pills. They should put you on a monitor that you wear for 24 hours that checks it regularly to see if it’s stress, caffeine, children or just high all the time. I’ve had the above as when I tested my bp at how it’s usually fine when I go to the docs it’s through the roof! When I had the 24 hr test it was fine.
V1nce Fox said:
I'm 49, normally fit but over last 6 weeks done sod all, not overweight, don't drink or smoke. diet could be a lot better. Very stressful job.
Last night was 152/79, this morning 140/90 (i think).
Cutting all heavy salt and caffeine out and going for a walk each evening. Also starting to take flaxseed. Not sure how much of a difference it'll make!
Cutting down on caffeine and salt definately helped my bp. Walking the dog is normally a good stress reliever after a busy day too. Also, I walk to my blood test appointments, as it's not too far and the stress of day time drivers and trying to find a parking place probably bumps my bp up a bit too.Last night was 152/79, this morning 140/90 (i think).
Cutting all heavy salt and caffeine out and going for a walk each evening. Also starting to take flaxseed. Not sure how much of a difference it'll make!
Pre-Covid, when we were allowed in the waiting room, our surgery moved to playing generic lift music, supposedly as it was calming, more likely to avoid the PRS fees. I, and a few others, pointed out that it was so annoying it probably raised bp more than calmed them
I'm down from 150/95 to 115/75 in around 9 months along with a resting HR of 55 from about 85. Also from 500+ triglycerides to 117.
No tablets for either achievement but it takes commitment:
- Lost weight (down 80 lbs)
- Quit alcohol
- 5x my water intake (100+oz per day)
- Macro diet (200g protein, 100g fat, 100g carb.. never hungry by the way)
- High Omega3 (Fish!)
- No red meat
- 4 sessions of strength training a week +10k steps a day... but zero cardio.
I actually drink more caffeine than ever (I got into fancy coffee instead of wine / beer).
Doctor thinks I added around 15 years to my life overall.
I don't miss a thing about my old lifestyle and much prefer the healthier me than the overweight, grumpy, unhealthy, bad skin, stressed, anxious me
Lock down has been a blessing as it kept me out of the pub and frankly away from friends that led me down the wrong path.
No tablets for either achievement but it takes commitment:
- Lost weight (down 80 lbs)
- Quit alcohol
- 5x my water intake (100+oz per day)
- Macro diet (200g protein, 100g fat, 100g carb.. never hungry by the way)
- High Omega3 (Fish!)
- No red meat
- 4 sessions of strength training a week +10k steps a day... but zero cardio.
I actually drink more caffeine than ever (I got into fancy coffee instead of wine / beer).
Doctor thinks I added around 15 years to my life overall.
I don't miss a thing about my old lifestyle and much prefer the healthier me than the overweight, grumpy, unhealthy, bad skin, stressed, anxious me
Lock down has been a blessing as it kept me out of the pub and frankly away from friends that led me down the wrong path.
For me it was exercise and dropping from 18st to 16st(ish), I also now drink quite a lot of green tea which I find helps. Blood pressure has been normal for the past 8 years along with my cholesterol which was also worrying my GP previously. Tipping point for me was suffering a 3 day migraine over a Christmas period and ending up in hospital with black eyes where the blood vessels in my eye lids as ruptured.
As has been said, it is critical you do not decide you have BP problems until an average is taken over 24 hours.
Add to that many who, like me, do not go to the doctors much can see their BP go through the roof at so-called 'white coat' syndrome (fear the doc is going to give bad news as we know we have not been checked on for ages).
I was getting 150 over 90 odd when at the docs, they wired me to an armbelt monitor which took readings every 30 mins daily, every 60 as I slept and lo and behold, my average was 115 over 75, putting me in Usain Bolt category
Otherwise as has been said, more exercise and particularly losing weight will help, as will ditching ready made meals (tons of salt) and eating a few hippy foods. Check out the listed benefits of chia seeds, for example.
Add to that many who, like me, do not go to the doctors much can see their BP go through the roof at so-called 'white coat' syndrome (fear the doc is going to give bad news as we know we have not been checked on for ages).
I was getting 150 over 90 odd when at the docs, they wired me to an armbelt monitor which took readings every 30 mins daily, every 60 as I slept and lo and behold, my average was 115 over 75, putting me in Usain Bolt category
Otherwise as has been said, more exercise and particularly losing weight will help, as will ditching ready made meals (tons of salt) and eating a few hippy foods. Check out the listed benefits of chia seeds, for example.
Losing weight has a major impact.
I was on amlodopine for a year, and my blood pressure was still creeping up, until my Dr mentioned that each Kg of excess weight upped your BP by 2-3 points.
I lost 10Kg, and was able to come off of the drugs. Weight has now risen with lockdown and this has pushed my BP up again, so now working on weight loss again....
I was on amlodopine for a year, and my blood pressure was still creeping up, until my Dr mentioned that each Kg of excess weight upped your BP by 2-3 points.
I lost 10Kg, and was able to come off of the drugs. Weight has now risen with lockdown and this has pushed my BP up again, so now working on weight loss again....
ReallyReallyGood said:
That just sounds like anxiety, but sure get checked. The numbers are not especially high.
Are you finding the urge to take your BP frequently, or when stressed or worried?
No i only got the monitor a few days ago because of the symptoms. Are you finding the urge to take your BP frequently, or when stressed or worried?
Edited by ReallyReallyGood on Wednesday 10th March 13:22
Call with doc, more likely than not stress but booking me an ecg and bloods to rule out.
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