Blood pressure question (“hypertension = above 135/85” but what if only one is high?)

[Potatosareawesome]

Hi,

I’m on a 3 month lifestyle change journey to reduce my BP to hopefully avoid medication, after finding I had HBP

(For other newbies reading, there is nothing wrong with taking meds, upsides way better than bad, but specific reasons I want to avoid)

I’ve managed to reduce it quite a lot (and lost 14kg in the process), but I have a question about the recommended starting rate for medication, to give me an idea of where I am.

I’ve checked everywhere, including the latest NICE guidance, but couldn’t find the answer:

1.2.8 here: nice.org.uk/guidance/ng136/...

They all recommend drs start medications at home readings of 135/85, however I can’t find out what the recommendation is if only one of those readings is higher than 135/85?

My systolic is never this high anymore (usually mid 120s, never above 130), but my diastolic does fluctuate from around 82-89 (last night was 80 but think it was an anomaly)

Does anyone know if the recommendation is to start meds if either number is above 135/85 or only if both are (or something else)?

Thankyou

[Hidden]

Talk to the BHF Heart Helpline nurse, who will give you a professional opinion, or better your GP who has access to your medical records

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Chappychap]

Just wanted to say congratulations on your 14Kg weight loss. That's an amazing achievement that has significantly reduced your risks, not just of a heart attack or stroke, but also of various cancers, diabetes, and many other health problems.

I know weight loss is rarely easy, so I just wanted to take a moment to celebrate your fantastic result!

[Potatosareawesome in reply to Chappychap]

Thankyou I really appreciate that, I do feel a lot healthier and energetic too!

[Potatosareawesome]

Thanks. Unfortunately my GP is not particularly easy to get see, and I don’t think particularly knowledgable about CVD unfortunately (she told me you’re unlikely to significantly change your BP through lifestyle changes as they don’t stick, but lots of other people I talked to said this isn’t true)

The average 1 month back from today is 86 but I think it’s still going down (hopefully see photo of trend, each is an average of 3 readings)

I just can’t see what the guidance is if one item is higher than the 135/85 guidelines anywhere.

BP trends

[Potatosareawesome]

Thankyou

[Potatosareawesome]

thankyou

[Carercmb]

I would stop worrying and your doing great at the changes your making.

Harvard school of thought is 140/80 ok . I was over 150 for many years and considered “ borderline” for medication.

You could ask for a 24 hr monitor as BP changes all the time.

I found that the more I thought about it and checked the higher it went.

I am now on a low dose of medication and under control .Sometimes even low if I test different times of the day.

Good luck going forward. There will be a nurse at your medical centre that mainly deals with BP is it worth talking to her for reassurance?

[Potatosareawesome in reply to Carercmb]

Thankyou