I have done everything from dieting to exercising but my blood pressure won't go down. Why?

[kpeters001]

Since the first of February when I got like a panic attack I felt my blood pounding. Since then I bought a blood pressure machine went on a DASH diet, cut out sugar, no salt, raw ingredients, lots of fruit and veg, exercise with HIIT routines at least 30 minutes per day. I went to the doctor's was put on amlodipine 10mg but my ankles swelled up. Went on ramipril 2.5 mg for a week until the lockdown happened and I couldn't get a blood test so went on Lercanidipine 20mg. For years I was always at 120/90 and never paid attention until last year when my 24 son died from an operation and of course my grief must have caused my blood pressure to rise. After all my hard work on changing my life habits, my blood pressure is stuck at 150/95 for the most part of the day. The lowest I can get my bp is 130/89.

[Inspiration25]

Hello my blood pressure was the same as yours until I started to have bad memories of the past about failing test. So i be so worried about trying to have good blood pressure and it goes up from the stress of worry and anxiety by stressing the number. However your blood pressure looks like its coming from your hidden emotion that you can not feel. My blood pressure readings was 127/80 123/80 to now 140/80 from emotional stress. I am on my way to healing my anxiety and emotions because that is the cause and that may can be causing yours to go up through emotional grief. I recommend for you to read this book called Healing Hypertension by Samuel j. Mann. God Bless!

[springcross in reply to Inspiration25]

Very thoughtful answer Inspiration. I am exactly the same but I think I'm probably a lot older than you. I always worry what my readings are going to be too and I try to relax but the words "I bet it's going to be high" are going round and round in my head just before I do the reading and more often than not, it usually is but much higher than yours. Take care. xx

[Inspiration25 in reply to springcross]

Im 27 those same thoughts goes around in my head as well. The thing that i also believe that we help us is by mediating on the word of God and casting down that false imagination that likes to creep in our minds. Its because we do not want to be disappointed by the number itself because Doctors tells us whats good blood pressure and whats not good blood pressure which can raise it by trying so hard to get that number. Im here to let you know that you are okay and I believe that your blood pressure will get better. God bless!

[springcross in reply to Inspiration25]

God bless you too. xx

[Chrissypops in reply to Inspiration25]

This makes sense. I’ve also found that my blood pressure is spiking due to emotional stress and trying to heal. My blood Pressure has always been borderline ( 130/85) since I was a teen due to high blood pressure running in the family. I’ve always had a good life, walked loads, cooked well and from scratch mostly. Emotionally intelligent and try and meditate. Don’t drink apart from the odd tipple and don’t smoke either.

I had a well women check up last autumn and everything was great. Although since Christmas I have felt bouts of overwhelming sadness like waves. At first I thought it was depression but after some soul searching. I realised that the correlation between my nearing 47 and my mums death at the same age ( I was 15 ) was slowly surfacing and I’m now currently in the throes of what feels like renewed grief.

Back in jan I came across my old blood pressure monitor, tested myself and it’s around 155/95 ( on average ) as I was told to monitor myself over 2 weeks. When I came back to the docs, my blood pressure was normal when she first took it and then it spiked to 155/97 second time, 30 seconds later. I was due to go and get a 24 hr cuff fitted to see why I’m spiking but we have been lockdown so that will have to wait. Sorry for the long post. I’ll definitely be looking into the book you have recommended x

[Inspiration25 in reply to Chrissypops]

Wow! Thanks for the reply, I know exactly what you are going through and I feel so much comfort to know that we are not alone in this. I have been asking God to deliver me from this fear of blood pressure. I can’t stand the feeling of fear and panic because it’s like by body is trying to save itself from something. However, our bodies is naturally reacting on what it’s supposed to do in a fearful situation called fight or fight. For example, think of a lion that is about to attack, my perception on the blood pressure cuff is the same way. I see the blood pressure machine as very judgmental rather than trying to see if I am healthy or not. I am getting counseling because I believe this is something from my child hood that I need to heal from and learning how to balance my family as being a married young man with a daughter. Sometimes, I get frustrated with God and say why me!

But there are people in the bible such as job who has got sick and lost his family just to see will Job remain faithful to him. In life we may not understanding everything but things happens for a reason because I will not be writing you right now if I was not going through this. Sometimes other people storms are meant to help someone else. From now on I am going to stop complaining about my blood pressure and start praising God, mediation, believing and not having self for filling prophecy that it’s going to be high. My blood pressure was as low as 123/80 not to long ago but it was 140/80 the other when I got off work from night shift but I am also going to try fasting spiritually as well with the leading of God’s spirit. I want to write a book about overcoming white coat syndrome soon. I an author of one book and I think that I have to write about this because I want to help people who are going through the same thing as me. This is a long post but thanks for reading!

[kpeters001 in reply to Chrissypops]

Thank you. It was not a long reply. I understand that stress, anxiety can really play havoc with your blood pressure. It's a crazy catch-22 cycle as I tell myself to calm down using yoga, mindfulness, exercise and yet it is still there BECAUSE I AM WORRIED ABOUT IT. I hate it. And then insomnia takes over maybe because I keep remembering I need a good night's sleep because it helps lower the blood pressure. I some times wonder had I not found out I had high bp I might be a lot more calm and could still fall aleep on command.

[kpeters001 in reply to Inspiration25]

Thank you! I will get the book.

[cimarosa in reply to Inspiration25]

3 YEARS AGO, I know but a lovely reply.

[springcross]

I'm so sorry to hear about your son kpeters and so young too. I can imagine the grief you feel. I'm not surprised your blood pressure has risen. Have you tried meditation? It may be worth giving it a go if you have never tried it. Failing that, have a word with your GP and suggest your reading may be due to grief. All the best to you. xx

[kpeters001 in reply to springcross]

I have tried mindfulness and therapy. I had been a very positive happy-go-lucky type of person all my life. But I do know that I am also the type of person whose body tells a different story than the mind. As my sister would get moody and quick temper when she approached her period, I was the one with no mood swings but had the bad cramps. When I went through menopause, I never had mood swings but I did get the heat flashes and itchy skin.

[lettingoffsteam]

Firstly I'm so sorry for your loss which must have been devastating.Feeling anxious after a sudden bereavement is very common and leads to raised bp.Have you received any counselling for your loss? You can receive free bereavement counselling (by phone at the moment) from CRUSE bereavement care.Otherwise give the new meds chance to work which can take a few weeks.

[kpeters001 in reply to lettingoffsteam]

Last year, I tired to get Cruse as I was told that they would come by the house, but they were not doing that service and anymore and they were only seeing children due to backlog.

[lettingoffsteam in reply to kpeters001]

Oh dear, sorry to hear CRUSE weren't able to help.I work as a bereavement volunteer for CRUSE but luckily we have a lot of people on the team in my area. You could ask your GP about counselling once this Covid19 nightmare is over.I had CBT after my diagnosis last year which really helped with my anxiety.There might be counselling available for your loss as well although there may be a small charge.

[kpeters001 in reply to lettingoffsteam]

Thank you.

[jsamess]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss . My daughter is 31 . Whilst we are not close I cannot imagine what is would be like for something to happen to her .

I think it is very important to remember the ideal B.P of 120/80 is achieved by very few people over the age of 40 without medical help . All medicines have side effects and try hard to find some with the least as possible . My own advice would be don't be too concerned at the moment . Look to having a healthier lifestyle . Work at achieving your ideal weight and cholesterol ( avoiding statins ). Look at getting your alcohol consumption down and if you smoke stop if you can . It used to be acceptable to have blood pressure with the first reading of your age plus 100 and the lower reading under 100 . Good Luck James

[kpeters001 in reply to jsamess]

Thank you. That takes load off my mind. I guess in a way felt 'grief' over a loss of my old life. I want my son back along with how life was and that includes my health. I know it is not realistic and ridiculous, but it's like 'oh and another thing went' frustration.

[jsamess]

Thank you for your reply . My life is a real mess but when you step back from things you can see them a bit clearer . Try not to worry . Live your life as best you can but don't be obsessed about blood pressure . Good luck james

[peter999999999 in reply to jsamess]

very good advice, dont worry about trying to get it perfect im fine running at 170/90 at 60 years age it was 161/90 now at 73nearly i dont worry if its a bit higher,mind you i dont check it now and dropping bp meds and doing it naturally,