Blood pressure shenanigans: Having been... - British Heart Fou...

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Blood pressure shenanigans

Japears profile image
27 Replies

Having been told by a top cardiologist 130/90 is UK and Europes set BP readings. I'm just 52, female.

Mine which had been OK upto and beyond March 2019 is now doing as it pleases. Having wanted a natural remedy and taken Alistrol for 2 months it hasn't overall settled down.

This am reading 148/102

My diet is very good, eating all the right food, weight is fine, cholesterol, kidneys, bloods all good, I drink well under the recommended, low salt, no smoking etc I practice yoga, row, run when dry... I've just started a weekly Thai massage that seemed to bring it down. 140/91 and taking chorella each day as there is some evidence of reducing high BP.

Has anyone else tried a natural remedy that works? I also believe there's very little research into the changes for women when starting menopause, I'm perimenpausal, has anyone noticed changes with their menopause.

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Japears
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27 Replies

Your playing with fire. Take the pills you're offered, they help. I know it'd be lovely to stick with your values and go natural for your treatment but if you're dead you won't get a second chance.

Japears profile image
Japears in reply to

I was prescribed ramapril last spring, they gave me severe heart palpitations, having gone to Stoke, they assured me my BP wasn't a concern, so the doctors say pills the hospital say differently. That's when I paid to go private to undergo a full investigation. Not one Dr can tell you what causes high BP so how can they prescribe drugs for a condition they don't understand the underlying cause?

My doctor was happy for me to try the natural treatment, because everthing else is fine. I'm not being foolish, my father died aged 63 of a massive heart attack, who was on medication. Having been checked over I'm confident in what the specialist said.

The next course of treatment is ARB's again once your on medication you can't come off.

So I'll explore all avenues first. The tip on cinnamon is a new one.

in reply to Japears

I'm at Stoke too. Dr Azam knows his stuff and I understand your desire to be pill free and go natural. It's your life and its up to you how you play your cards...

Japears profile image
Japears in reply to

Who is Dr Azam?

in reply to Japears

Cardiology consultant at Stoke. He does a lot of the stents

Japears profile image
Japears in reply to

I see, thank you.

What makes the remedy natural?

I agree with the previous reply, just take the tablets that have been subjected to rigorous trials and are known to save lives

Ianc2 profile image
Ianc2

how many litres of water do you drink?

Japears profile image
Japears in reply to Ianc2

Over 2 litres bottled every day all day, I have for years, I also take a tbs turmeric paste everyday, plus aged garlic, vit d, c, beetroot, krill, Q10, Magnesium. And have started to have regular Thai massages, and she recommended Chorella so I'm trying that aswell. After the Thai massage my reading that evening was 140/91. So something clearly helped.

I try to run 3 x a week, yoga class plus at home, plus indoor rowing. I also downloaded a breathing app along with an excellent BP app.

Having read the artical on BHF re research, there's a Dr looking at how the brain raises the BP it's an interesting read. As we all know no GP actually knows the answer as to what causes high BP.

Having had a through investigation with Dr Hadjloizou, cardiologist at Spire he assures me my heart valves etc all all very healthy and strong.

NationalistTiger profile image
NationalistTiger

I use cinnamon to keep my blood pressure and blood sugars at good levels. Google "cinnamon reduces blood pressure". (not sure if I can leave links here).

I put a rounded teaspoon on my muesli and the same in a yoghurt every day.

I use plain Sri Lankan or Indonesian organic cinnamon. There is also Cassia, but whilst Cassia (sweet cinnamon) helps with blood sugar levels, it can affect the liver in larger quantities.

I'm 59 next month and my pressure is usually around 127 over 80.

I too, have a reasonable diet - although I could improve it, as I drink some alcohol and eat some fatty foods, but it's pretty good, with plenty of fish, vegetables, poultry, berries, olive oil and garlic.

Also use a lot of ginger and honey as anti bacterial and anti nauseant.

Whilst mainstream medicine is imperative to some conditions, like you, I believe in natural alternatives where possible.

Japears profile image
Japears in reply to NationalistTiger

Hi

I purchased some cinnamon and started taking it yesterday.

How long have you been taking it for and do you take any other supplements. I'm taking vit d, beetroot, aged garlic, turmeric paste.

The feedback of those who are on medication, is that they start with one that leads to many and no one states whether their BP is now normal.

I've signed up to a spin class as my waist isn't half my height its not far off but there's room for improvement also to ensure I am doing 150mins a Wk of vigourous cardio.

127/80 is perfect. Do you do any exercise and is your weight correct.

NationalistTiger profile image
NationalistTiger in reply to Japears

I've been taking cinnamon for about five years now and I introduced Cassia in the last three.

I think you're doing better than me taking beetroot, aged garlic, turmeric paste - perhaps I should try beetroot.

I've never had high blood pressure, so I can't really say whether not taking cinnamon etc would increase it, but I'm serious about keeping it where it is or not lower.

I don't do any cardio exercise, as a year ago, I broke my femur in a work accident and have been disabled up until now (I've had two operations).

I do light physiotherapy exercises, mainly aimed at my bad leg.

I'm overweight, but my body mass index is 27, which is only a small amount over what it should be and, indeed, in the last month, I managed to lose 4kgs (8.8Lbs).

I also take tumeric capsules (2 a day) glucosamine, chrondroitin, MSM, Celadrin (all joint related). Vitamin B complex, Vitamin Ester C, Vitamin D3, Vitamin K2, Vitamin E, Zinc Picolinate, Ginko Biloba, Omega 3 as fish oil.

I also eat a lot of salmon filets, mostly eat white meat / poultry, very little red meat. I try to eat ť potions of fruit (mostly berries) and veg a day. I eat a lot of salad - cress, spinach and rocket.

I have two mugs of fresh coffee a day with added goat's milk. I eat very little cheese and restrict my egg intake to two per week. I eat two squares of very dark chocolate per day (85%+ cocoa).

My down fall is desserts - apple pie / crumble, trifle and sponge puddings, along with low fat custard.

tunybgur profile image
tunybgur

140/90 is not particularly high, but I think 120/80 is a better target to aim for.

BP goes up as we age and our arteries stiffen, nobody's found a way to turn the clock back yet, I've also tried all the lifestyle fixes with no success.

Keeping a watch on how much fluid you consume may help, but that can also affect other organs.

BP lowering meds are very effective and have been around for many decades so any side effects are well known, lowering your BP will help protect against future cardio vascular problems but at the end of the day it's your choice, mine was to take the advice of the professionals.

Good luck

Goldfish7 profile image
Goldfish7

I hate to say it but perimenopause to full menopause has been lousy - lots of weight put on (a fair bit bisoprolol related I feel), high blood pressure although a lot of the time lower than your suggested rate, Rapid Paroxysmal Atrial fibrillation, aches, pains, ectopics tachycardias - I should really see a vet and end it all!!!!

RE. blood pressure. Mine appears variable so I tend to take it quite regularly as particularly in warm conditions mine can get quite low on my meds. This has led to me not always taking all or any of my bp meds if my bp is below 100 over 70 as if I let it get much below this figure I can end up feeling very faint and my heart gets more tetchy. unfortunately I think I get a touch of white coat syndrome so GP will not reduce my dose.

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day

My BP did go from being 'shockingly low' (90/60 was my average, they always took several readings as they couldn't believe it was so low and I had no adverse reactions to it being so low) to 'normal' (120/90 usually) once perimenopause set in, and it went a little higher after the full change had taken place - it's now usually around 125/90. I am on a beta blocker (low dose 1.25mg Bisoprolol) which hasn't budged my new normal.

Auiron profile image
Auiron

Go and see your doctor or nurse at the surgery if you are always concerned about your blood pressure that will naturally vary throughout the day. My blood pressure reading is always highest on the first time of taking, wait calmly for 5 minutes, and it is always lower, sometimes markedly so.

9.20am - 137/75 P57

9.37am - 132/72 P56

1.00pm - 148/75 P67

1.05pm - 140/81 P60

5.27pm - 159/86 P81

5.32pm - 126/67 P61

8.05pm - 148/74 P56

8.11pm - 133/68 P56

9.40pm - 127/68 P59

9.45pm - 118/63 P58

These readings I'm told by the surgery Nurse are quite OK. Average first reading 144/76 P64, second reading average 130/70 P58. My age is 76 and bp controlled with Amlodopine and Bendroflumethiazide tablets.

Take care with bananas, sweet potato and ginger as eating too many can be bad for us - moderate amounts of course very good. All are high in potassium. It causes Hyperkalemia where the Kidneys are unable to remove the high level of potassium.

Japears profile image
Japears in reply to Auiron

Hi Aurion

I am under the doctors, I've been monitoring twice a day for 2 months now.

I eat few bananas, hardly any ginger and sweet potatos very rarely.

I do take magnesium plus other natural products.

You see your diastolic is low... Mine is fine it 90 ish as that's what Dr Hadjiloizou advised me, he specialises in BP and cardiology.

You see your on medication, I'm grateful for all the advise and never even thought I'd get a reply. It's such a common health issue 1/3 has high BP without knowing.

Auiron profile image
Auiron in reply to Japears

Blood Pressure Readings Explained

healthline.com/health/high-...

Blood pressure test

nhs.uk/conditions/blood-pre...

Japears profile image
Japears in reply to Auiron

Hi Aurion

Well the doc prescribed calcium channel blockers. Still having read a little which states for racing pulses plus over aged 55, my pulse is always around 72 mostly..

I'm going to read up on them before I start popping them.

I'm going to try and have my Thai massage once a Wk as that certainly made a difference.

I shall read the links sent to me, thank you so much. I'm very grateful for all the positive feedback.

Have you read about the the further research on the website its very interesting.

I am going to take it in a little while, having gone to my regular yoga class tonight.

Prada47 profile image
Prada47 in reply to Auiron

Hi Auiron

Just looking at the two highest readings, just wondering if they coincide with Meal Times ?

Regards

Japears profile image
Japears in reply to Prada47

Hi

No 1st thing usually and then few hours after my main evening meal.

I ran yesterday and did restorative yoga, this morning it read 152/102.

I honestly expected both to be lower, the previous morning it read 136/97 bottom too high but the top is OK.

I had drank 1 cup of tea 🙄 I'm going to see the doctor after college, I'm just conscious that it's not settling on either really.

Prada47 profile image
Prada47

Hello Japears

I have just taken my BP and it is 121/72 with a pulse of 65 now that is with Aspirin, Pravastatin, mid dose of Entresto along with Eplerenone and quite a biggish dose of Bisoprolol 7.5mg .

Just to say I am not Brave enough to stop them, to give a Natural remedy a try !!

The Cardiologist and Heart Nurse I see just say as long as your feeling OK keep taking the pills !!

Regards

Japears profile image
Japears in reply to Prada47

Hi Prada47

How long have you been on medication? How do you feel, do you have any side effects at all.

Prada47 profile image
Prada47 in reply to Japears

Been on this Medication since 2015 ish been up to10mg Bisoprolol but then reduced to 7.5 due to low pulse 33 bpm. That was the only side effect that could be attributed to Bisoprolol 10mg. I am pretty sure I do get other side effects but I have become very good at ignoring them and take them as a consequence of the Medication. Which I believe are helping my Heart to perform to the best of it's ability and hopefully going to prolong my Life.

Regards

Japears profile image
Japears in reply to Prada47

Thank you for sharing this with me.

It's never easy it seems.

Dancingdreams profile image
Dancingdreams

I took HRT for many years. As soon as I stopped taking it blood pressure shot up. Went back on it after a while, BP went down. Stopped again as progestrogen was making me ill. Same thing happened. Patches might solve the problem but haven't persuaded GP ( and there is a shortage)

Japears profile image
Japears in reply to Dancingdreams

Hi

My symptons are not many at all really re menopause, still regular cycle but the odd hot flush at night. Still 52 is the average age for peri/menopause to start.

I am seeing the doctor now, showing him my readings from my very clever BP app.

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