Reducing BP?
Author
Discussion

Pot Bellied Fool

Original Poster:

2,259 posts

266 months

Thursday 25th November 2010
quotequote all
'Lo all.

I popped into see my GP this morning to check something else out (which was fine) but as I'd not been into his surgery since registering there a year or so back he decided to take a BP reading.

At this point he made an unhappy face. 155/91.

I don't think it was that high when I went for a medical (for my Council taxi licence, now thankfully not needed) with my previous GP about 2 years ago as he would've said something. It might have been a touch high but this - according to my very quick Google - is heading into hypertension territory.

Anyway. I'm to pop back in a few weeks and get another reading from the practice nurse when I'm less stressed and we'll take it from there.

But I'm taking this as a shot across the bows regardless though and think I need to get to grips with it.

I'm 43, overweight & a non-smoker.

I know I need to look at losing some weight (3-4 stone would do nicely!) but what else should I be doing to get it down? Any particular foods that are good for lowering BP? Red wine? (He says hopefully)

Do eat fruit/veg and grill rather than fry.

But no - I'm not taking up bloody jogging! I'd cause earthquakes in China...

Any ideas on what I can be doing to help myself would be welcome.

Cheers - PBF

Lois

14,706 posts

281 months

Thursday 25th November 2010
quotequote all
Drink plenty of water, avoid salt and foods high in fat/cholesterol and do exercise. Simples.

ewenm

28,506 posts

274 months

Thursday 25th November 2010
quotequote all
No need to jog/run - just walk 30 mins a day.

Kudos

2,674 posts

203 months

Friday 26th November 2010
quotequote all
My dad has had high BP most of his life - seriosuly high and been on all the drugs available to bring it down.

Recently he went for an operation (hernia), but because of BP they couldn't give general anaesthetic. So, they kept him in and did regular checks. Strangely all readings were fine, but as soon as they said "ok, time for operation" it went up. Therefore appears that his was psychological - every time he went near the doc's it shot up!

Certainly, lose weight. Regardless of BP, you will feel better for it.

martinmac

536 posts

226 months

Friday 26th November 2010
quotequote all
If you can get it down by weight loss and diet do it. The tablets can be a real nuisance.

Pot Bellied Fool

Original Poster:

2,259 posts

266 months

Friday 26th November 2010
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
yikesweepingweeping

Actually to be honest, it's just one chippy meal a week max but will cut that down too.

anonymous said:
[redacted]
I do all the cooking in our house (perhaps my liking for food is part of the problem methinks) so already no nuke meals & no salt so I haven't got that quick fix as an option.

Kudos and Everyone said:
Certainly, lose weight. Regardless of BP, you will feel better for it.
Yup. This has been a bit of an early warning I think & certainly made me take stock. I want to still be around for my 9 month-old to make me a Grandad at some distant point in the future smile

Food habits aren't too bad, but I obviously need to down the quantity and up the exercise. Need to find something I find interesting & can fit around all the other time pressures.

martinmac

536 posts

226 months

Friday 26th November 2010
quotequote all
Just to give you a bit of motivation read the side effects on here, All three pages.

http://heart-disease.emedtv.com/amlodipine/amlodip...

turbolucy

3,473 posts

211 months

Friday 26th November 2010
quotequote all
Good on you for wanting to do something about it. Have a look at this

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/High-Blood-Pressur...

It is the information that doctors give to patients,about 2/3 the way down it has ways to lower your BP.

condor

8,837 posts

277 months

Friday 26th November 2010
quotequote all
The OP's reading isn't that big a deal.
Ideal B.P. reading is 140/90....so stop being a big girl's blouse tongue out

JumboBeef

3,772 posts

206 months

Friday 26th November 2010
quotequote all
condor said:
The OP's reading isn't that big a deal.
Ideal B.P. reading is 140/90....so stop being a big girl's blouse tongue out
'Normal' BP is 120/80.

condor

8,837 posts

277 months

Friday 26th November 2010
quotequote all
JumboBeef said:
condor said:
The OP's reading isn't that big a deal.
Ideal B.P. reading is 140/90....so stop being a big girl's blouse tongue out
'Normal' BP is 120/80.
Is it? I read on another site ( somewhere on the internet) that it was what I posted 140/90.

Luke.

11,966 posts

279 months

Friday 26th November 2010
quotequote all
condor said:
JumboBeef said:
condor said:
The OP's reading isn't that big a deal.
Ideal B.P. reading is 140/90....so stop being a big girl's blouse tongue out
'Normal' BP is 120/80.
Is it? I read on another site ( somewhere on the internet) that it was what I posted 140/90.
The 140 is at the top end of the 'normal' scale. I've been on BP meds for about 8 years and it doesn't really bother me to be honest. Pop a pill first thing, job done.

turbolucy

3,473 posts

211 months

Friday 26th November 2010
quotequote all
Textbook BP is 120/80.

Sticks.

9,682 posts

280 months

Saturday 27th November 2010
quotequote all
Iirc the 5 things which h influence BP most are:

Weight
Smoking
Salt
Exercise
Alcohol.

I once knew a chap who had slightly raised BP and got it back to normal by reducing his salt intake and using a salt substitute (most procesed foods are pretty high in salt).

Beetroot juice is thought to reduce BP, but limited evidence - and it's been thought to help you train longer, an aphrodisiac.... prob everything else.

It's worth having it checked regularly if it's a bit high imho as it can vary a bit.

JumboBeef

3,772 posts

206 months

Sunday 28th November 2010
quotequote all
Sticks. said:
Iirc the 5 things which h influence BP most are:

Weight
Smoking
Salt
Exercise
Alcohol.
6/ white coat syndrome (the most common cause).