37 yo with stage 1 High Blood Pressure

[David321]

Summary:

Average home readings: 140/88

Health Check reading: 149/105

Take escitalapram for anxiety.

Health check nurse said worth taking a tablet to reduce BP, as lifestyle healthy already.

Pharmacist and doctors have since overruled Health Check and now saying don't need treatment and to ignore it.

Long version:

I've always seemed to have high blood pressure at random blood donations and doctor visits etc. So I was keen to take part in the NHS My Future Health study, BP recorded there was 149/105, so they advised me to do twice daily home reads for 7 days and to get checked at GP.Average read: 140/88.

Referred from Triage Nurse to a Health Check.

Health Check was fab, she was logical in our conversations and we agreed that a tablet would be good to get the high readings down a bit. As was concerned about them.

Referred to pharmacist to choose tablet.

Call with pharmacist went like this "you don't need a tablet, ok?"

No discussion or anything.

So contacted GP again, doctor left message with receptionist "BP is normal, no treatment needed."

So I'm left feeling like GP and Pharmacist are being very dismissive and that's where I am now, anyone in the same boat? Any advice?

[Happyrosie]

my random thoughts, David

1. Go to Blood Pressure UK website and check that you are doing everything they say as far as lifestyle and diet is concerned (e.g. salt and hydration, exercise and so forth ).

2. On this forum we don’t know enough about your past medical and family history, height/weight ratio etc to be specific.

3. But I entirely agree that the pressure is too high for your age 37, should be 120ish.

4. Lots of people on this forum report adverse reactions to BP meds, so it isn’t necessarily in your interest to take pills if you can do without.

[Happyrosie]

David, I’ve already replied but since then I’ve read an article in a newspaper. Basically, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Evidence) said a few weeks ago that far more people should have BP and cholesterol medication if they want it. Your doc not aware of NICE guidance!

[Tiggger in reply to Happyrosie]

‘Guidance’

[devonian186]

Always a difficult one when someone says they have a healthy lifestyle, but higher than expected blood pressure can often be traced back to weight.

Are you well within the BMI guidelines? Although not perfect they are a good general indicator

[Noodlesalad]

Opposite opinions really do have a negative effect on our 'what do I do' scenario.I personally would make an appointment with the team who advised you to take the medication and explained how bewildering this has all been.

I was on Bisoprolol for permanent high pulse rate yet at my Pharmacists yearly meds review he decided I didn't need to take them anymore because they had originally been prescribed by my cardiologist to be taken before my CT heart scan but my GP didn't get the request till after the CT and its worth noting that they couldn't do the CT scan for three hours because my heart rate was so high despite them giving me medication at the clinic I ended up having to have an injection to slow it down.

I was glad not to continue the Biso because I really didn't feel good on it.

I have my yearly CHD checks this week and will mention it in case it's important to take Biso.

I hope you're original nurse who advised you to take it can help you further.

[AuntyEdna]

Hi David understand your dilemma my husband has had the same reaction to the levels you are recording from the Drs ! He then had a couple of dizzy spells went to talk with the dr - that morning BP 180/70 ! So reluctantly put him on BP pills - very low dose though. Keep going back if you need to, only you know how you feel. ( He goes to the gym everyday and is not over weight - very fit for a 65yr old)

Lots of luck 😊

[Qualipop]

I have white coat syndrome. Every time I have BP taken at doctor's or hospital it's through the roof. Went for some tests last week and it was 1 70/110. The nurse just laughed it off- she knew exactly what it was.