Would you be satisfied?

Hi all

My BP with meds has come down from over 200/112 eight weeks ago. I am delighted. However whilst it is around 110/72 during the daytime and into evening, when I wake it is consistently around 133/90. It then comes down after meds and is normal by 10 am. Would you still be concerned? Or would you now accept that on average it is within normal range? I think more meds would just risk lowering me too much during the day.

I notice that although NHS say is should be below 120/80 the BHF state -

What is a healthy or normal blood pressure?

Your blood pressure should be under 140/90 mmHg.

Any views please to help this anxious 54 year old?

Thank you

Andrew

[gilreid1]

Can I have your blood pressure please. I am no expert but for what I know and I am on BP meds since my bypass yours look spit on. If in doubt speak with your GP. Did they not advise what your target Bp should be ?

[Hidden in reply to gilreid1]

Hi, my BP initial target was - according to first GP under 140/90. Second GP said under 140/80. My BP now seems to be around 130 to 135/90 morning before meds, around 110/75 by lunchtime and then around 125/86 in the evening. I am 54 so I reccon that is pretty much it for me. More lifestyle changes I hope will improve the morning readings and easier said than done, but perhaps I should just stop worrying and start living!.

Thanks for your reply.

[Blackcatsooty]

Andrew, that’s fabulous. You have done so well toget the BP to such a decent level.

I live in rural Essex and they gauge 140/70 is perfectly ok

I also have a house in suburban north west London and doctors there want 130/70.

I find that my BP rises whenever I take a reading, so I don’t read very often. Say once a week.

My Bp does seem higher first thing. Which is odd, I would expect the pressures of the day would raise the BP.

I do get horrid dreams.

I am on regulation small dose of bisoprolol and a massive 10mg Ramipril.

I am lead to believe that these drugs take weeks to fully titrate through my body.

So I can’t see any difference before/after taking my daily cocktail.

I am very keen to get drugs down, especially the Ramipril.

You are 20 years younger than me, so it’s more relevant that you settle in to an appropriate regime.

Good luck

Colin

[Hidden in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Thanks Colin, your wise words over this last few weeks have really meant a lot to me. I assume though you mean 140/90 and 130/90 ! Sending you my very best wishes and a tickle for your cat.

I am on Ramipril and Amlodipine and like you would love to get off the dreaded Ramipril, but needs must I think for now.

Keep well Colin.

Regards

Andrew

[Blackcatsooty in reply to Hidden]

No it wasn’t a typo. I mean over 70 and not over 90. I have no useful info for diastolic, so just refer to my own figure. I have no medical training, apart from how to deal with nhs accounts and maybe one of the several knowledgable guys on this site might come to your assistance.

I am so pleased you get a little comfort from my postings.

I have had so many really excellent words from others online. I like to pass on the help that I got.

Sooty has just come in to the conservatory and is keeping me company. Never had a pet, he is the first. He has helped me through a stroke then through AVR. Gives me a reason to get up each day

Colin

[gilreid1]

The higher readings I think will be down to your meds wearing off. And as the day goes on the are doing there job by reducing BP. Assume you take your meds in the morning

[Hidden in reply to gilreid1]

Hi, yes my GP advises Ramipril in the morning and Amlodipine in the evening which is opposite to many. I think I will keep a note and see how it it all unfolds and at my next review ask if they should be swapped around. Thanks for your reply. I also think my first reading of the day are when I am most anxious about taking a BP reading. Think as they are fairly consistent I am going to only take my readings once a week from now on and then perhaps a weeks worth before I submit to the GP. How I wish you could just speak to your GP rather than endless e consults with no chance of responding! Keep well. Andrew

[gilreid1 in reply to Hidden]

👍👌

[Retirement65]

Hi bp120 so glad you are responding well to the treatment like you I’ve had issues with bp I’m currently ok with mine 🤞but I just wanted to mention your BP is always higher in the mornings it’s the natural way of the body responding to waking etc this is what I was told by my gp the fact that your bp drops later on with medication suggests it’s working well just wanted to let you know that’s what I was told of course there are all different views i.e what’s acceptable levels in one area is different in another I think you will find the longer your on the meds they will start to make it go lower over time - I was very anxious about it all in the beginning but have realised this has done me no favours take care you sound like your doing well which the main thing 😊

[Hidden in reply to Retirement65]

Thank you, I agree and am intending to stop this obsessive BP checking as it is doing me no good! 11.23 here and last reading of the day for me 120/80 exactly with a heart rate of 68. That's me done... now to calm down and breathe! Thank you Retirement65 and everyone else who has responded.. it is so nice to be able to interact with another human being who is experiencing all of this. Take care. Andrew

[Retirement65]

That’s what I did eventually too obsessive about taking my bp you send yourself daft in the end and as one of our followers said ‘start living’ but so glad your on the right track we all try to help one another on this forum and it does help us all so much take care enjoy your day and best wishes 😊

[Hidden]

Hello

BP has been a problem for me for years it drives me mad

Mine was quite high and now my meds have been changed I worry it gets to ow I have readings of 92 over 65 sometimes during the day

Not sure if mine is going to low now but I have spoken to my Rehab Nurse and will speak with my Doctor but so far no one seems to be worried other than me

I have to watch myself now as I have started getting obsessed taking it all day which I know is stupid

I think you have done well getting yours down and if they stay like that sounds to me like good readings , I am sure your Doctor will check up on you again and reassure you x

[Retirement65 in reply to Hidden]

Hi BeKind take my advice put the bp monitor in a cupboard before it takes over your life it’s fine say checking it once a week the problem is these days the medical world has made us obsessive we don’t think we are looking after ourselves unless we are monitoring ourselves constantly be sensible by all means but it can take over your life I should know take care 🙂

[Hidden in reply to Retirement65]

Hello

You are right and I will as I have made myself quite poorly today

Thank You x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi BeKind28. I think 92/65 is in the normal banding and lower blood pressure can be good as long as your not having dizziness or other effects. Like you I was checking mine too often sometimes 20 to 30 times a day and it was driving me crazy. I have been assured my BP has averaged into a normal range and stop worrying. I have also been told to put the monitor away and in three weeks time take it once a day at different times and submit my readings just for extra reassurance if I need it. Let's have faith in our medical practitioners and as someone has said on here - start living again. Keep safe and my very best wishes to you and all. Andrew

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hello Andrew

I got in such a state not only did I give my readings to my Rehab nurse I also gave them to my Doctor , neither of which were concerned other than me going sill taking it all the time

Because I am on different BP meds all my Doctor has said is to take it once in a Morning , once in the afternoon for a week and then tell her what the readings were and the only thing if any which she doubts would be my meds might and she said only a might need tweaking but she also tried to get through to me she was not concerned at all and like you say we have to have faith in what they say

It is so easy though to start getting obsessed with it but I am going to listen to what they say

Thank you for replying x

[Jack2019]

I would not be concerned, especially since you are mid fifties, I believe a slightly higher bp is a good thing when getting older.

[richard_jw]

I would not worry about it. The reason MIGHT be associated with what they call the half life of the relevant drugs you are taking to lower the BP.Pharmacists are good at this sort of stuff, and it might be worth talking to one.

I had a (different) issue to do with the combination of drugs I take.

In our area, there is a "go to" pharmacy in a Hospital. Anyone can talk to them and I found them helpful.

I'm not a doctor, or a pharmacist so get advice if you are concerned.

[firstlight40]

Looks good to me to be honest. My BP average is around 116/80 when I measure it in the morning with 1.25mg ramipril. But I can raise it to 140/100 just by thinking stressful thoughts or by having BP taken by a medical professional (White coat syndrome). I'd like it to be closer to 70 diastolic but that would need a higher dose of ramipril and in fact the cardiac nurse suggested coming off ramipril next Feb on the one year anniversary of my HA

[Ruby40]

Don't worry. It's normal to have higher BP when you get up in the morning.

[Hidden in reply to Ruby40]

Thanks Ruby. Out of the blue my GP's nurse contacted me for my last weeks readings and responded two hours later to say my average reading for the last three weeks is 120/83 and is "normal". Nothing to worry about if under 130/90. This was part of the NHS know your numbers initiative. So touch wood, I shall stop worrying about the odd peak in the morning. Thanks again.

[Carpbait]

Hi BP120 my cardiologist and GP maintain 140/80 is the minimum target, however with the meds I am on my Heart Rate is hovering between 53 -56 beats per minute, with 50 beasts being in the danger zone, yet I am supposed to maintain the blood pressure recommended, it feels like being on a roundabout, 1 med for this, another for that, and it goes on, 9 meds a day every day.

[Hidden in reply to Carpbait]

Hi Carpbait,

I understand what you say.. It can be a real battle, but I take a little confidence from Bloodpressure (UK) (Know your numbers) who say -

What do the readings mean?

As a general guide:

• 140/90mmHg or over – you may have high blood pressure

Most doctors use 140/90mmHg as the cut off for point for diagnosing high blood pressure (hypertension). This is the point where your risk of serious health problems goes up. They might prescribe medications and advise you to make changes to your lifestyle to bring your blood pressure down.

• 120/80mmHg up to 140/90mmHg – pre-high blood pressure

Also called high-normal blood pressure. This is not high blood pressure, but it is a little higher than it should be and means you could go on to develop high blood pressure. See how you can make healthy changes to your lifestyle to lower it.

• 90/60mmHg up to 120/80mmHg – ideal blood pressure

Also called normal blood pressure. Your blood pressure reading is healthy. At this level you have a much lower risk of heart disease and stroke. Following a healthy lifestyle will help you to keep it in the healthy range.

• 90/60mmHg or lower – you may have low blood pressure

Low blood pressure usually isn’t a problem, but it can sometimes make you feel faint or dizzy or could be a sign of another health problem.

Indeed the BHF say

What is a healthy or normal blood pressure?

Your blood pressure should be under 140/90 mmHg.

Obviously we would all like to be under 120/80 all the time but I think we are all different. Indeed as I understand it 140/90 was acceptable fours years ago before they revised the advice. However, I think we should all be guided by our Gp and especially Cardiologist as they will take into account our personal medical needs and conditions. What might be right for one person might not be right for another. Main thing is keep the faith and keep battling.

I am working on my diet and exercise to help keep mine lower now as I'm not sure I could take anymore drugs!

Keep well.