high blood pressure

[ArcheologyDonna]

does anyone else find these 3 words scary

[Tos92]

Hi ArcheologyDonna

I hope you’re well.

High blood pressure can be managed by making some lifestyle changes, such as improving your diet to lower blood pressure to include things like rice and pasta, followed by vegetables. Medications can also help to maintain and keep blood pressure low.

Have you been recently diagnosed?

What medications are you on?

I hope others come by to provide some reassurance.

All the best.

Tos

[ArcheologyDonna in reply to Tos92]

Hi, sorry I didn’t catch your name 😁. I was diagnosed about a year ago but I had another check up two days ago which shows even with medication it’s still high, so they have increased my medication, doubled the dose. 8 take that many tablets so what’s one more 😕. I’ve been prescribed losarton, I’m ow on 25mg a day and I have to start taking more readings in 3 weeks to see if this extra tablet helps. Hope your ok

[cappachina]

Hi Donna it is scary when you are first told but as Tos says you can make positives changes as he suggested cutting down on salt is another important one but you haven't said what your blood pressure is and if you have another illness going on. Meds are very good I have been on them for years plus recently had a heart valve replacement and I am76 and still going strong so DO NOT PANIC

[ArcheologyDonna in reply to cappachina]

Hi, thanks Uk will try not to and look at making some changes to my diet. I walk quiet a bit at weekends so I like to think I’m active but maybe I need more,

[Hazel1010]

hello , mine was always really high and recently I got the telling off at the doctors because my sugar level went up dramatically ( I’m not diabetic) so I started using the nutra check app to help me shed a few pounds , long story short it also shows you how much sugar , salt , fat etc you have eaten …there’s a free version if you wanted to look at it 👍and if you wanted to use it it’s about £1 a week no contracts for ten years etc and I’m by no way endorsing it , I just use it 😊

Since I’ve been keeping an eye on my intake in a casual way not only did my sugar come down for the first time in forever my blood pressure is normal , I’m not saying this is the cure all but I do think for me healthy eating and walking helped a lot …….I needed to shed a few pounds and it’s going slowly 😂 I’ll attach a couple of pic from mine , no judging on my crap diet 🤷🏻‍♀️😂😂😂😂 best of luck

Calculator

[ArcheologyDonna in reply to Hazel1010]

hi. Oh I hope yours has improved for you, I do need to lose some weight so I’ll take a look, thanks .

[Alison_L]

I was first diagnosed with high blood pressure aged 20 and given beta blockers. I asked the GP how long I would have to take them for, and he looked at me strangely and said "the rest of your life". I took the tablets for a week, then threw the rest in the bin and didn't look back. I had no long-term health problems until my heart attack 5 years ago aged 56, caused by furry arteries, smoking, drinking, bad diet, but not high BP. Now of course, I'm on a raft of tablets (including beta blockers!), although I do question everything the doctors throw at me.

[ArcheologyDonna in reply to Alison_L]

oh you have been through a lot, I hope your on the mend.

[Alison_L in reply to ArcheologyDonna]

Thank you, yes. Both my cardiologist and neuro consultant are very happy. I just need to lose all the extra weight I've put on since the heart attack!

[Smitty1956]

Hi, ArcheologyDonna,

YES!

I have had high blood pressure since I was in my 30s and taking medication. I say that easily, but I don’t think that I always took it seriously enough. I got that diagnosis prior to cell phones, personal computers and the internet, so I couldn’t easily look up information about BP. Plus, I didn’t ask many questions of my doctors then—so I don’t think that I understood the seriousness of the condition. Plus, I was young, busy, and I generally felt good, so I sometimes skipped taking my BP medication. By the way, you should always take your prescribed medications and discuss any issues with your doctor.

Anyway, in March 2022, I had a HA. It was following that event that I began to learn more about the connection between heart disease and high BP. I now take having high BP as seriously as a HA! I take my medications seriously and daily. I have tried to change my diet (still a work in progress) and to exercise more (still in progress). As others on this forum have stated to you, there is information available to read and use to help you in lowering your high BP.

I wish you much luck in your journey to get your BP under control. Read the information, talk with your doctor about any questions or concerns, and always take your prescribed medications. Making some changes in your diet and exercise habits may also help. Best wishes! 😊

[ArcheologyDonna in reply to Smitty1956]

Hi, thanks for your very informative message. The internet can be bad thing as well as good. I,going to do so reading on it as I am on soo much medication and who knows I may be able to reduce my BP meds again in a few years with other changes, TC

[1234_6]

Hi ArcheologyDonnaHow fortunate your eye test was good enough to pick up the burst blood vessel & that they understood the reason for it & got you to see your GP for meds for High BP as otherwise you might not have known they were needed.

I do hope that the blood vessel has healed, and has not left any permanent damage to your sight.

I don't know about the med that you are on, as it differs from the 4nr that I take for High BP, however I would advise that you ensure GP regularly checks your BP as they may need to amend the prescription or give a mixture of meds to get it balanced correctly. Some meds also need an annual blood test for kidney checks etc. but your GP should tell you if this is the case. Some may advise certain food / drink avoidance but this should be detailed on the information sheet.

Good luck & welcome to the Forum.

[ArcheologyDonna in reply to 1234_6]

Hi, thanks for your message. Yes thankfully my eye was fine as they can’t it in time, I was getting blurred vision a lot but I put it down to stress and other meds I am on, I wasn’t given any advice by the nurse but to be honest with our dr surgery at the moment you just feel like a number, in/out. I’ll do some research. Hope you’re ok. TC. Donna