High BP

[beach_bum]

Hi again, Paroxymal for3 years, 3 episodes, the initial one needed a chemical conversion. The second resolved itself, and the third…last week, would not resolve chemically, and needed an electro. NSR since and in between episodes, but my BP is still too high 145/72/62

I’m on 240mg Diltiazem slow release and Xeralto

I tried Metolopol and it was not fun…I could barely walk 500m.

Of to the doc today for a visit, I’m hoping for and increase in dosage that wont make me feel like a zombie …sorry, bad Halloween pun 😆

My diet is better than most, and I have always been and am physically fit.

Any suggestions for new meds?

[mav7]

What is your average heart rate and blood pressure ?

Best to discuss with your doctor new meds since he is familiar with your overall condition.

[beach_bum in reply to mav7]

I always discuss all and any medical related issues with my doc 🙂

*update…Saw him yesterday, and he upped the dosage from 240 to 360 slow release.

My normal BP is 118-125

[jolian]

You should try different foods. I had a stroke - major aphasia then 4 years later its say 80% better. Then two ablations (AFIB and high PVCs) and worked well. I did have Paroxymal BP undiagnosed and not treated so I found that for me its a gut issue related to BP which of course there is no supposed connection. I think also my stroke was due to a collection of very bad foods. One of the largest was way too much oxalates and due too much Ox depletes many minerals and all of that probably messed up the B's as well. I check a lot with my BP meter cuff and the must is to chart all foods/fluids/BP then wade into the chart to try to find the culprits with the BP meter. I kicked my BP meds around 3 years ago and my average is around 125 systole. Very important is to check the BP 3 times --- (CONSECUTIVE each 1-2 minutes) ----and take the lowest level and almost all the time not the first reading. I found that idea from a Canadian cardiac group. A good example shortly after my stroke (2 months) I was eating quite a bit of tomato sauce in meatballs and then in just a few minutes I thought I was going to have another stroke. It was my first paroxymal BP up to 160 from probably 120. Then many other times and worse until I started to reduce oxalates and also related foods but mostly oxalates. Combinations like high acidic foods with oxalates is probably the worst ticket.

Doctors using BP meters when patients are arm holding on the "stand" is ludicrous. The cuff needs to be on the same height as your heart obviously. Maybe just get an adjustable height pad. My guess is there nothing like that yet. The other is when you go to a cardiac doctor my guess is the professional will hopefully meter with a "manual" cuff. Every time I do that its quite a bit lower (and of course more truthful) compared to a GP arm dangling on the meter stand. Obviously time is money - U.S. doctors won't wait for the 5 minutes to check on 3 BP readings. Maybe Canadians too.

[Ppiman]

Your BP is high systolic only, but normal to low diastolic. I am sure your doctor is better placed to work out how to cope with that combination. If your weight is not ideal, then losing some will reduce the systolic nicely - easier said than done!

Steve

[beach_bum in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks, I am 6’1” and 185lbs and cycle 35-40km 3 times a week, and strength training alternate days as well as hiking with my dog 3-4 every morning,so fitness and weight are not an issue. Could just be hereditary. My diet is low carb high protein (no supplements) water and zero Pepsi occasionally. No fast food or snacks for the last 20 years.

[Ppiman in reply to beach_bum]

Yes, hereditary sounds right. It's such an important thing to control it seems - topping most things in health importance. I have a friend with far higher BP than you and he struggles to control it. He gets tachycardia episodes now and again, but no AF. He wears a continuous BP monitor but struggles with finding a reliable one.

You do very well diet wise and exercise - it must be very frustrating indeed.

Steve

[beach_bum in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks for the reply 🙂 It Is frustrating watching friends and family who are far too heavy, eat what they want, drink lots (alcohol) sedentary yet have zero medical issues lol. AndI’ve never worked out to “stay healthy” it’s just what I enjoy. That’s it.

[WildIris]

Is the 145 systolic only at the doctors, or also at home when you're relaxed? My bp is low normal at home but always higher at the docs, even if I think I'm calm. ("White Coat Syndrome")

[beach_bum in reply to WildIris]

Thanks Wildres, it’s at both the office and home. We have a Very good professional quality unit at home that we calibrate with the Drs’.

It’s checked 3 times, 3 minutes apart, 3 times a day. It’s high.