Blood Pressure

[vRS19TD]

After moving to Surrey from the West Mids just over 2 years ago, i finally registered with a doctor and went for my check up yesterday. After taking my blood pressure readings 3 or 4 times, the lowest reading was 169/114.

Does anyone have any helpful tips on lowering it, apart from losing weight, which i know i need to do anyway??

[seboni121]

After moving to Surrey from the West Mids just over 2 years ago, i finally registered with a doctor and went for my check up yesterday. After taking my blood pressure readings 3 or 4 times, the lowest reading was 169/114.

Does anyone have any helpful tips on lowering it, apart from losing weight, which i know i need to do anyway??

Hi will be able to give you some pointers, firstly weight and height, secondly smoker or drinker these are the first to look at also family history oh and age , this will determine a lot

[seboni121]

169/114 is a little high but don't worry or that will just make it worse, do you excersice at all ?

[vRS19TD]

Hi will be able to give you some pointers, firstly weight and height, secondly smoker or drinker these are the first to look at also family history oh and age , this will determine a lot

I'm about 6 foot and 16 stone, so i know i need to lose weight. I've never smoked and drink very occasionally. No family history from what i know and i'm 31.

[vRS19TD]

169/114 is a little high but don't worry or that will just make it worse, do you excersice at all ?

I'm actually not worrying but SWMBO is but i keep telling her to stop worrying. I actually don't exercise, so i know i need to start that again. I had used to hit the gym 5 nights a week but stopped after i moved.

['daiking']

Stress? A friend of mine, same age as you was initially diagnosed with high (dangerously high) blood pressure after experiencing some symptoms like feeling faint and funny turns. It was work induced stress, he's since had a load of time off and treatment for depression (Meds & CBT). It's been very serious. Physically he is otherwise healthy but had been suffering a number of non-spefic physical ailments over the preceding months leading up to the "crunch". It wasn't a breakdown but certainly a timely intervention.

It's not just the physical things like your weight, diet, drinking, smoking etc. Trouble is it's harder to spot the things in your life doing this to you when it's not the obvious ones. don't be afraid to look at these areas of your life and ask your doctor for help in this respect, no need to share with us if not comfortable.

[VWD]

Could be one of those days. I'm about twice your age with Type 2 diabetes and last check up I got asked to return for more checks as mine was high on the day . Next time it was spot on ,as was the next time.Could well have been the stress of the visit.I suspect mine has been caused by this on more than one occasion, certainly on a few of the works medicals with BUPA.

[vRS19TD]

I don't feel stressed to be honest and just had a week off work, which was quite relaxing, even though i was redecorating the bathroom. Work does get to me sometimes, especially a couple of the people but i just forget about or ignore them and move on.

Maybe it's a sign that supporting Coventry City is bad for me!!

[D15VRS]

Stress you are not forced to know that you are suffering, eveybody handles things differently, could also be White Coat Syndrome.

[seboni121]

Stress you are not forced to know that you are suffering, eveybody handles things differently, could also be White Coat Syndrome.

Yes white coat syndrome, could be an issue a lot off people become elivated during appointments will medical types

[Kenny R]

You will probably get a blood pressure monitor to wear for 24 Hrs, this will monitor your blood pressure hourly and the results recorded. This rules out the " white coat syndrome" and sees if your pressures are high all the time. Once the readings are interpreted , the doctor will tell you what treatment is required. Could be as simple as a tablet to take daily.

[VWD]

I don't feel stressed to be honest and just had a week off work, which was quite relaxing, even though i was redecorating the bathroom. Work does get to me sometimes, especially a couple of the people but i just forget about or ignore them and move on.

Maybe it's a sign that supporting Coventry City is bad for me!!

Driving in Cov is more likely to cause that .Especially rounf the Ricoh area . Ai said ,could be one of those days/white coat syndrom etc . Can also depend on the atmosphere in the surgery/doctor nurse .As I mentioned ,most times I had works medicals mine was slightly high, except for a couple of times,and they stood out. Pleasant receptionist, easy going doctor, and my BP was low . Time to worry is when it's consistantly high . I try to go to the doctor before I visit Asda .That always puts mine up .

OH,and I meant to add - so your the supporter

Edited 10 March, 2012 by VWD

[vindaloo]

After moving to Surrey from the West Mids just over 2 years ago, i finally registered with a doctor and went for my check up yesterday. After taking my blood pressure readings 3 or 4 times, the lowest reading was 169/114.

Does anyone have any helpful tips on lowering it, apart from losing weight, which i know i need to do anyway??

Your GF is right. Now is the time to sort it out. Fast forward 10 years and you could have real problems. Diet, exercise and weight all play their part.

What's your diet like? If you don't know, I'd suggest finding out.

Exercise, here's a good place to start: http://www.squidoo.com/royal-canadian-air-force-exercises

IMO if you adjust your diet and exercise, over time the weight aspect should start sorting itself out.

HTH

J.

[sharkrider]

169/114 is a little high but don't worry or that will just make it worse, do you excersice at all ?

I'd say its more than a little high, and needs addressing... for your age, your blood pressure really shouldnt be anything over 130/90 ... the diastolic (lower number) certailny would want to be less than 100! for example you wouldn't be allowed to do my job (which requires driving) with a diastolic over 100, as you would be considered too much at risk of heart attack or stroke...

mine runs at about 125/85, and I take low doses of medication to control that, as I too had high blood pressure (I'm 41) , but my diet is good, my weight is good, and my colesterol levels are good, I also do enough exersise (mostly at work!) so the only option left to me was medication, I do however take less than half the dose of the available meds to keep mine under the required levels, as it was never too bad

blood pressure of 169/114 WILL put you at higher risk of heart attack or stroke, so I would suggest, if lifestyle changes dont bring it down, to think about medication...as you are quite young, if left unaddressed, I would suggest it would reach pretty dangerous levels within 10 years....

edit: vindaloo beat me to some points

[VWD]

One thing I meant to add was - get the weight down. I had no problems with health, till we got banned at work from outside activities ,by a new management regime.( HSE regs ,etc). In no time I had weight problems, and then diabetes.

Just seen Vindaloo's post . I'm on medication to keep mine down ,but I'm a lot older than both of you . But once you start that, you're on constant visits to the surgery, and even going on holiday costs a packet .Health insurance ( except specialists) love to ramp up the charges because you're on medication .And if you get diabetes, there's always the likleyhood of moving from tablets to insulin, which might mean stopping driving for a while to give DVLA proof that you're not a danger . For example ,my last test was something like 140/70 , suppossedly on the nail .So compare your's to that .Even just taking the dog out for a faster than normal walk for about half an hour will get it down .

Edited 10 March, 2012 by VWD

[Gwiz]

It's Surrey that's doing it! I've lived here all my life and it daily does my head in.

I'm pretty much the same build as you, 1" taller. Diagnosed with high BP 8 years ago and have to keep it under control with prescribed Losartin potassium.

Try a little weight loss, get a bit of excersise, eat your 5 a day, and most important of all, get a relaxing mind occupying hobby!

Good luck with it, I hope you manage to get the numbers down.

[JerryT]

Sorry to hear this and can concur with all of the above.

First things first, take more exercise, it doesent have to be strenuous, but a good brisk walk everday will help. Cut down on the things you shouldnt eat (if you do) and try and measure the amount of calories you are eating (can you cut down anywhere) you may be shocked at how caolrie rich some things are, i have been quite shocked in some instances. Eat more healthier, try fruit instead of biscuits/crisps if you do, its good for both your digestion and for you. But i think you already know all of this anyway.

Unfortunately i know exactly how you feel although mine was not as high as yours, but, it did stop me from continuing a pre deployment course and thus not being able to fly to Libya to do my job. What is your doctor doing about this? I have had an ECG and blood test run to check for liver and kidney function, diabetes and cholesterol. I also had the 24 hour blood pressure test which was a right pain with the hourly monitoring throughout the night however, this could be very important and will point to other underlying issues especially if your pressure does not drop at night. For me, the upshot of all the testing was that i am ok although my diastolic is slightly eleveated being in the low nineties and my 'medical hold' has been removed which now allows me to travel to some of the nastier places in the world. So far since January i have lost 8kg just by changing my eating habits and walking the perimiter of the site i work at which is 1.5 miles each day i am in the office. Also started cycling again which demonstrated to me just how bad i had allowed things to get.

All i can say now and i hope you take this in the spirit it is meant, is do something about it before it is too late.

[seboni121]

Well I had a cardiac arrest at 34 so I've got the t shirt, it's a little high but worry not you'll get it sorted, once sorted exercise and diet is key, one magic ingredient you can use if cholesterol is high is lecithin soya granules, nutty flavour stick in on cereal and it will work wonders, they will check now at 3 different times or holter pressure monitor for 24/48 hours and they will have a better idea, most of all try not to worry difficult I know but less stress the better

[GentleGiant]

In the summer, go for a long (1 hour or so), gentle walk in the evenings before bed; that will also help you sleep.

In the winter/bad weather, go swimming; you dont need to hair up and down the pool, but an hour of steady breast stroke, once or twice a week will improve you all around, not just BP, but also lung capacity, cholesterol and waistline, although if you over do it, you will find your chest size going up.

Alternatively, go live in China, my BP dropped from the high 160's to 118, and I lost 20KG; the BP drop and weight loss started even BEFORE I started doing 2-3 hours of Tai Chi every morning at dawn.

[mellyboy]

After moving to Surrey from the West Mids just over 2 years ago, i finally registered with a doctor and went for my check up yesterday. After taking my blood pressure readings 3 or 4 times, the lowest reading was 169/114.

Does anyone have any helpful tips on lowering it, apart from losing weight, which i know i need to do anyway??

I am on medication for blood pressure, I do not have my blood pressure taken at the doctors as many factors can affect the reading ,commonly known as" white coat syndrome" Once a year I have a monitor fitted at the surgery which monitors my blood pressure for fourteen hours then is downloaded at the surgery. I am guessing that you did not have have your blood pressure monitored by this method, if you didnt I would suggest you ask for it to be checked this way. My medication has my blood pressure well controlled with no side effects , best of all don't get to worried about your reading it will only put your blood pressure up!

[Fabia_19]

Simpilest thing to do is exercise at a moderate intensity.

This will help relax you and reduce blood pressure...

[alkip]

Reduce your saturated fat intake as well as perhaps reducing your calorie intake as well as exercising moderately and make sure you consult your GP before undertaking any exercise regime.

[Auric Goldfinger]

I take 4, yes, 4 tablets a day for HBP, also take medication for COPD due to excessive smoking, was on 60/80 a day plus cigars, yes I'm *uc*,ed

Not complaining though, I'm still alive

Just.

[Millstone]

I take 4, yes, 4 tablets a day for HBP, also take medication for COPD due to excessive smoking, was on 60/80 a day plus cigars, yes I'm *uc*,ed

Not complaining though, I'm still alive

Just.

And you drive a train ??? (I'll stick to the road in future).....

[vRS19TD]

Thanks for all the hints, tips and suggestions. I've decided to eat more heathily, walk rather than drive to the shops and just try to look after myself better, though this is just the first weekend.

I'm going to buy a blood pressure monitor for home use and just take a reading at random times, then i can see what it's like relaxing at home rather than sitting in a nurses office. I'm not a fan of doctors surgerys, family history of mis-diagnosis, etc, so i think the white coat thing has some bearing.

Follow on appointment with a doctor has been booked for Monday 26th March, so hopefully will have an improvement in that time but won't rush myself or panic too much about it.

Cheers again for the replies.