Has quitting smoking and not eating sugar and salt snacks fixed my High Blood pressure?

[crispy1970]

Hi, I am a 50 year old male. I have been on ramipril 5mg for 7 years. I quit smoking a year ago, and I recently stopped eating any sugar or salt snacks. I have noticed my BP has been been alot lower as of late , such as 116/64 to 128/74. The other thing I have noticed is my Heart rate seems to have gone lower also, like seems to stay around 55 at rest. Even as low as 49. Is this from stopping eating sugar and salt and quitting smoking??? Or can there be a more negative thing here ? Should I stop taking the BP meds? A year ago was normally right around 120/80 and HR of 70 at rest when I smoked.

[Happyrosie]

May I congratulate you on your lifestyle changes.

The short answer is “YES”!!

But do not stop taking your meds without professional advice. If you live in the UK your best bet at the moment is to have a chat with your pharmacist to start with, and get his or her professional view. If this fits in with your working life. Otherwise, get a nurse or appointment sooner rather than later. If you are being over medicated now, as is very likely, you might get dizzy and have trouble driving.

Well done!

[springcross in reply to Happyrosie]

Well said. x

[crispy1970 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you for your response, I hope it is my changes that have done this!

[Hidden in reply to crispy1970]

I have to agree with the others, I wish I could change things as I take 3 different tablets for BP. But other health problems make it difficult to lose weight. I'm crippled with pain due to arthritis and Osteoporosis.

[Maxyz3]

I would stop the bp med. With the numbers staying that low i dont see any reason to be on a med. Good for you! I would love to have your numbers!

[crispy1970 in reply to Maxyz3]

Well I have cut the meds in half, still lowish 110/62 I am a bit worried, CAN IT BE something negative? I am a bigger person width wise, 96kg I am not one for exercise, buy I use to eat 2 or 3 whole bags of chips a week, have not for 4 months, no sugar and no smoking for one year now, also no nicotine gum. I also lost about 4 kg. So you all think it was enough that did this? Its a bit scary, I do have anxiety, I also wonder why my pulse seems to have gone to 55 bpm seems its the new speed at rest, even hit 49. So you all think I can just relax?

[Maxyz3 in reply to crispy1970]

Feel good about your numbers..yes, relax.

[Brisk61]

Fantastic outcome, I really hope u can ditch the meds. But do get professional advice first. 🍀

[crispy1970]

Well I have cut the meds in half, still lowish 110/62 I am a bit worried, CAN IT BE something negative? I am a bigger person width wise, 96kg I am not one for exercise, buy I use to eat 2 or 3 whole bags of chips a week, have not for 4 months, no sugar and no smoking for one year now, also no nicotine gum. I also lost about 4 kg. So you all think it was enough that did this? Its a bit scary, I do have anxiety, I also wonder why my pulse seems to have gone to 55 bpm seems its the new speed at rest, even hit 49. So you all think I can just relax?