Hello new to high BP

[Stamp112233]

Well probably not. Only found out during an over 40 health check. Basically on here to reach out to others. Looking for and to share advice on how you people are dealing with it.

[Hidden]

I continue to take the medication I was prescribed over 20 years ago when I was diagnosed with high BP, in my case 160/90 or more. Next I try to keep active. And importantly manage my body weight. I never was a fan of lots of salt so that contributes too. All that means my BP is under control and I rarely think about it.... except on times like this 😀

[Hidden]

Hello

It can be surprising how many people are walking around with high BP and do not know as most do not get any symptoms but if you have low BP you often do like been dizzy

I started with high BP in my 30's but it runs in the family

Cut out salt and did everything I could but it would not stop down so been taking BP meds ever since

Have they suggested to you what will be best ?

Good job you went for that check up and found out now so you can get it under control x

[Stamp112233 in reply to Hidden]

Generally a medical approach to high blood pressure which was a little disappointing but I suppose this would be the quickest and cheapest (though not for me) intervention.

[Hidden in reply to Stamp112233]

x

[jeanjeannie50]

My mind, or any worry can send my BP up sky high. Once thought I'd had a stroke when I looked in my bathroom mirror and saw a deep crease by my mouth. I'd also had a sharp pain in my head earlier when I'd tried to lift a very heavy door into my garage As I was driven by ambulance to hospital I could hear the high BP machine going off. Had lots of tests and sent home next day. I told a nurse friend about it and she said she'd done exactly the same thing. It's hard growing old and getting these new lines. I think it was just the way I caught myself in the mirror.

Have you bought yourself a BP machine, so that you keen keep an eye on what it's doing?

Are you taking pills now to bring it down? If not breathe deeply and that should reduce your BP. Take a big deep breath in through your nose, then then let it out quickly through your mouth with a huh sound. Do this a few times and then check your BP again.

Jean

[Stamp112233 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Ramipril. I bought a home BP monitor and it seems to have lowered.

[Mentdent]

I take the tablets and check my blood pressure once a week.

[peterjones105]

I commit all out war on my BP:Apart from my daily meds I walk hard at least 20 miles pw with a target of 30 miles which I achieve most weeks, sometimes even achieving 40 miles, I have an exercise bike that I use regularly

I have almost eliminated caffeine and alcohol from my diet along with anything else that may eause my BP.

I eat healthily minimising red meat with plenty of veg.

I also take as a supplement daily magnesium and kyolic garlic. I drink beet juice every morning.

Good luck

[Rainfern]

Hi Stamp, I know this sounds daft but I find regular contact with these forums has a calming effect on my mind, and therefore my heart. I guess it's the sense of community. I used to have a very stressful job and as a result found counselling helpful and then mindfulness meditation. I look at my mother in law who never did any keep fit as an adult, but who enjoyed leisurely walking and a relaxing evening with friends. She lived to 100 despite numerous medical conditions and remained bright as a button. I'm lucky to have low BP despite my AF, and put this down to the combination of genetics, healthy diet (no high processed carbs, very low sugar intake) walking half hour every day and setting time aside for controlled breathing and relaxation exercises plus getting out into nature.

[Smitty1956]

Hi, Stamp,

Like some others have shared, I have had high BP for over 30 years. I have been taking medications since the diagnosis.

The truth, though, is that I never truly understood how serious HBP could be to my overall health. I think that I didn’t really get serious about my BP until after my heart attack.

Some days, I feel that I still struggle with controlling my BP, but I think that I am doing somewhat better. Here are my top strategies:

1. Take your prescribed medicine each day as directed by your doctor. Don’t skip dosages.

I have skipped my medicine before for no real reason except that I thought that I felt okay. That ended with having a HA. I’m not saying that that caused my HA, but it surely didn’t help.

2. Limit salt as much as possible. I never add salt to anything.

We get so much salt in any packaged/processed foods that we eat. I like to use spices to flavor foods that I cook from scratch, but no salt.

3. As others have said on here—exercise.

Since my HA, I am trying to walk more and move more in general. I have worked up to 15-20 minute walks, and I hope to continue to increase my exercise times. I also want to add stationary bike.

4. As others have suggested—reducing stress.

Last week, my doctor recommended relaxation techniques such as box breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness techniques. Currently, I am using the mindfulness/breathing app on my Apple Watch. You Tube can also be a source for learning some of these strategies.

5. Getting enough sleep.

This one is tough for me because I am highly anxious and constantly worry. That tends to keep me awake. The last few weeks, I have started to use the sleep timer on my Apple Watch to force myself to go to sleep sooner.

As I mentioned, I still sometimes struggle in trying to control my HBP, but it is really important to make the effort. I wish you the best in your goal to control your BP. 😊

[Flimflab]

What has your gp advised? I was only slightly high and lifestyle changes were sufficient for me this includedUsing a blood pressure monitor at home my blood pressure always goes up at the surgery.

Diet reducing salt

More exercise

And periodically retest my bp to see this is a) working for me.

[scentedgardener]

I take my BP twice a day as mine can fluctuate wildly, but I don't worry if I miss the odd day.I rarely eat processed food and use the minimum in cooking. I'm losing weight and doing my utmost to exercise more.

The one thing that is guaranteed to send my BP up is being kept waiting, I'm aware I'm a little impatient at the time but my BP soars!

I feel much better with my BP controlled, I wish it had been picked up sooner.

[Swalecliffe88]

Welcome Stamp. We deal with it all with humour, empathy, and being supportive to new friends. To be serious for a moment though. Don’t fret and panic. I presume you have been prescribed some medication. Take it as directed, try and cut out any added salt in your cooking or meals. And if you are a little over weight try and lose a little by exercising a little more. All this will help to keep your blood pressure and health of your heart ticking over nicely. Take care and keep in touch.

[Flimflab]

You have probably seen this already but the British Heart Foundation has a program on blood pressure healthunlocked.com/programs... although I have not used it myself.

[Stamp112233]

Thanks for your replies. Have now been on the medication for about 10 days. Trying as much as I can to get proper exercise: cycling and walking. I was formerly quite a fit person and did a lot running from about age 30-39 before children came along. Family and work life can be very stressful - I have a desk job and I am now trying to work fitness around this but the demands of a plate spinning case management type job sometimes makes it difficult. To be honest I bought a second hand monitor. It seems that my BP is now lower but I will corroborate this with the monitor at the surgery when I go later this week.

[Windmill6 in reply to Stamp112233]

Hi, I was diagnosed with high Bp about 12 years ago like you I was very active and I thought ,fairly fit. I rarely drank alcohol,never smoked ate reasonably well and was of medium build not overweight.I also walked miles on my time off and had a busy hectic job in the hospital. I had some stress at home and in work.

Dr tried lots of different anti hypertensive drugs and different doses,but they barely made a difference.

I stepped up my exercise routine,went completely onto healthy food ,still no difference.

I started having low potassium levels,really low.

In and out of A/E with this for 2 years on and off.

GP no explanation, told me to eat potassium rich food ( I was already)

After I almost died of a ventricular heart rhythm ,turned out to be Conns disease.

Although I survived ,the complications from this awful disease are hard to live with every day.

I can't forgive my Dr for failing to recognise the signs.

Sometimes there are other reasons for high BP..........