Reducing Blood Pressure - Timescales

I have just been put on Ramipril 5 mg to help reduce my bp which peaked at 185/115. It scared me, and I have over this past seven days of treatment completely changed my eating habits and have lost nearly 6 pounds. I am considered to be overweight and aim to lose another 1 and a half stones over time. My BP is now around 140/91 (after 8 days meds) and can vary between 125/81 and 150/98. Is this sufficient progress in a week or so? How long does it take with life changes and meds to get down to a stable 120/80 ish level? Am I expecting too much too soon? I'm a 54 year old male. Any views or helpful advice at what is quite a scary journey I've started.

[Motorman]

I have had hypertension for over 20 years, modern drugs will bring it down to reasonable figures. Ask your GP what is your target, do regular home testing, keep a record on a proper chart, you can download one, be prepared to ask for GP follow ups and blood tests, (if your GP wants them), cut out all salt, it should make a useful difference, cut caffiene intake to one cup of real coffee or tea a day, alcohol will push your BP up so cut it down to just the odd drink. Your readings are not that bad, they need to come down and no doubt your GP will be adding something to make that happen. It takes time, months not weeks, for treatment to make a diffrence. Be ready in a couple of months to go and see your GP with a series of BP readings over a couple of days. It is to easy to let things slide. I have mostly managed my medication myself in consultation with my GP and my BP is mostly fine but I still get quite high readings at times, my GP says thats OK!

[Hidden in reply to Motorman]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. It makes a big difference to me as it helps me understand and cuts my anxiety.

[Chappychap]

You should give yourself a pat on the back, you're off to an excellent start.

I found three things brought my blood pressure down, all three seemed to contribute roughly the same amount. First was medication (also Ramipril), second was exercise and weight loss, and third was a lower salt diet. You can read more about the impact of salt here,

bloodpressureuk.org/your-bl...

Good luck getting to your target, sounds like you're well on your way, I've absolutely no doubt that you'll soon be there!

[Hidden in reply to Chappychap]

Thank you. Your reply really has helped.

[VickyHK72]

Hi there, I found I had high BP out of the blue last Xmas. It was a big shock and like you, scared me a lot (I have a strong family history of Heart attacks and early death but thought as a non smoking woman I would be immune...wrong!)I also changed my diet, have lost 2 stone (over 6 months) and cut out salt (I used to add a lot!) and have reduced my previous 4-5 bottles of wine a week to the occasional glass. I am also on ramipril 2.5mg. My BP is now fine (I don’t have a home monitor as initially my anxiety was so intense that even the cardiologist said he thought it would be a bad idea for me to get one!)

Like others have said, it takes months rather than weeks but you’ve made some excellent changes already, keep it up! A friend bought me a cook book called the doctors kitchen which I love and even my husband who is quite a traditional eater, enjoys dishes like black bean chilli. One thing I learnt is try not to change everything overnight, change one thing a week - otherwise it can feel really alien and overwhelming in my experience. I’ve started doing the nhs couch to 5k which I’m finding really helpful and surprisingly enjoyable! Good luck

[Hidden in reply to VickyHK72]

Thank you for replying. I was prescribed BP meds without even seeing my GP. It was due to a check at a hospital procedure and then by my own BP readings. Strange times with Covid restrictions and a lot of home diagnosing going on. 10 days on tonight's reading was 133/93 so I guess it seems to be helping, but I still worry each time a get a figure nearer 160/ 95 (Which happens sometimes). I get a blood test tomorrow for kidney function and then see the GP in around 18 days time to review. It is just so scary to be given medication and not have an opportunity to ask questions to allay fears. So it has been so helpful to hear from peers. I now realise that I have to give it time and stop stressing. I'm pleased to hear you have got your BP in check and hope it will inspire me to make the changes I need such as quitting alcohol and losing weight. Thank you and take care.

[jaywolff]

I was about the same age as you when I was diagnosed with hypertension out of the blue at the end of 2019 (I’d gone to the GP about tonsillitis 😀). I was 190 sys, who knows how long I’d been walking round like that. Immediately put on meds and had similar results to you. I started eating better, drinking less, and walking more. Now my BP is almost always below 140, averaging about 125. I am feeling healthier than ever. I did have anxiety to start with, but I don’t worry now - I just acknowledge that I have a condition that I need to keep on top of. I know it’s easy to say, but worrying too much can be counterproductive. As others have said, you’re making good progress - you’re going in the right direction 👍. Mindfulness can help with the anxiety, as well as the hypertension itself. Try and cut out any other stress you can too. I now regularly go for 5-10 mile walks, which is good for both health and mind, and I feel great. You’ll get there - just stay positive and don’t let it beat you 🙂