Anxious ,pending investigation why I have high blood pressure

[Hey1234567]

Today I have been put on rampiril for high blood pressure. I am awaiting a ecg, bloods and urine. No family history, non smoker and non drinker but I am maybe one or two stone over weight and worry a lot. I’m 37 .Do you think I could bring my bp down by healthy eating and more exercise?

[springcross]

I would think you could Hey1234567 as being overweight is not good for BP and also, if you practiced breathing exercises, it could lessen your stress so that you don't worry so much and that in itself could reduce your BP. Give it all a try and good luck. x

[Happyrosie]

The short answer, Hey, is YES! If you are not yet familiar with it, please read the website of Blood Pressure UK which might answer your worries.

As you will know, losing weight will take time if you approach it in a healthy way. Upping your exercise reinforces your healthy eating habits.

I don’t know what your pressures are and what your tests will reveal - I’m assuming nothing spectacular- but at your age you may well find you can get your pressures down without pills.

You say you worry a lot - that alone keeps your BP up as your body thinks it has to react to a perceived threat. So you could research relaxation techniques such as breathing, yoga and so on

Best of luck!

[Hey1234567 in reply to Happyrosie]

139/97. 153/114 is a couple of readings I have taken from home

[Happyrosie in reply to Hey1234567]

A bit high at your age and certainly warrants some kind of intervention - which might just be relaxation and exercise.When you take your BP at home think about the following:

Sit down and put the cuff on ready.

Pick up a book or something and relax for ten minutes.

After ten, concentrate on your breathing - not deep breaths but slow ones with eyes closed. No talking!!

Then hit the button to take a reading - still nice slow breaths.

Ignore the first reading, take an average of the next three and present the facts to the doctor.

I’ve found that just the slow breathing brings the BP down by at least ten, usually more, diastolic.

Hope this helps!

[Hey1234567]

I now have been referred to a hypertension clinic… and double the rampiril a day. The ECG showed that my heart had been working harder. The muscle is now larger… And waiting for an echo scan now…

[lettingoffsteam in reply to Hey1234567]

Try not to worry about it.You've been diagnosed now and they're keeping an eye on you.I was diagnosed with a thickened heart like you two years ago.The cardiologist said ramipril would help this not getting any worse .I'm sure the clinic will advise you.

[Hey1234567 in reply to lettingoffsteam]

Thank you so much for your reply. I’m still not sure what’s happening… how has life been for you the last two years may I ask? Really appreciate your reply.Thank you

[lettingoffsteam in reply to Hey1234567]

Well it was a very scary time initially as my bp was measured at 244/133 in hospital and I ended up in a resus bay having it brought down followed by a 5 day stay in hospital.Anyway tests showed mild left ventricular hypertrophy and a little bit of arrhythmia. Once I started googling that I was pretty alarmed and I was very anxious for a time. But I also decided to overhaul my diet, exercise etc. I changed to a mostly plant based diet and lost 5 1/2 stone and I walk a lot more. My medication has halved in dose.

I also got CBT for my anxiety and started meditation .I find getting outside really helps my mood.

Your bp isn't scarily high but higher so they've caught that early .A hypertension specialist should give you the right advice. As to the thickening wait and see what the echo says .Take care.

[Hey1234567 in reply to lettingoffsteam]

Wow, you have come a long way. Congratulations with the fantastic weight loss ! I’m too trying with better eating and walking an hour or two a day.

I am glad you are ok now . I will listen to you and wait my echo scan. I’m just wondering how long should the referral take?

Thank you for your support

[lettingoffsteam in reply to Hey1234567]

Not sure about that since we are in a pandemic now. I suppose it might be a bit delayed.