Hope you are all well and safe - I found this forum whilst searching for ways to improve my condition and to hopefully come off meds at some point.
I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hypertension in January 2020 having recorded very high results with a 24 hour ambulatory BP monitor, I then had all of the usual tests e.g bloods, urine, ECG and echocardiogram. No underlying cause was found and I was told to start on 2.5mg Ramipril per day, which will be for the rest of my life. After going back for a check RE the medication, 2 weeks later, they decided 2.5mg will suffice for me as it brought my BP down to 122/73 in that particular instance. So you know, my average during the ambulatory monitoring was 156/109 and seemed to increase during the night where it would normally decrease for someone healthy.
I feel slightly neglected since then, but of course this is due to the pandemic. I have now decided to subscribe to quarterly blood tests to check my overall body function.
Has anyone been able to remove the need for medication? I really don't want to be taking these medications at such a young age and feel there must have been more to the reason why I was diagnosed. If so, what steps have you taken?
So you know, my BMI is 28, however I do go to the gym, hiking and cycling, and have above average muscle mass. 182cm and 94kg.
Written by
DreamOfTangerine
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hello DreamOfTangerine.I believe that at your age you will be able to get off BP meds - but it will, as you know already, be down to you!
Your BMI is a tiny bit on the high side but isn’t always a good indication as to whether your weight is really right for your height. But you know whether your shape is right.
Are you familiar with Blood Pressure UK? If not, have a good read of their website to see whether there’s tips and tricks that will help you. For instance, is your diet mainly vegetable-based with a broad range of fruit and veg, and including ‘good’ carbs and ‘good’ fats?
Once you’ve researched, using reputable websites, you’ll have a better idea of what might have caused your raised BP and how you can keep it down.
dont wory, i was playing semi pro football at younger age than you bp always around 140 to 159 /90 and im still here at 73 and put on pills at 72, worst year of my life, off them now, diet,exercise, meditate and its been said thousands of time dont worry it goes up/down like a brides nighty lol, no idea what mine is now i dont take it i go now on how i feel on pills like a zombie and thats no life,
It must have been a shock to be diagnosed with high B/P at such a young age but at least the small dose of Ramipril has it under control now. It’s important that your kidneys are protected from any B/P damage at this young age. It’s been a really difficult year for everyone and it may be part of the reason your B/P has risen. I think a lot of us have a low level anxiety this year hopefully we are out the other side of this now. A recent study reported that woman have been more affected than men during the pandemic.Look at your diet, alcohol consumption ,exercise and relationship/work stress for clues. Try not to worry too much( easier said than done) . You are young and I’m sure u can come safely off the meds when it is lower. Lots of us have been taking medications for over 20 years and we are still living fulfilled active lives. Lots of good wishes for the future.
You're only 28 and otherwise seem normal. have you tried less stressful exercises? For example qigong, yoga or daily meditation? These have powerful effects on the body.
Every cell in your body has only a proportion of its DNA turned on, and specific DNA are turned on according to your body's circumstances. So appropiate exercise, diet and stress reduction eventually can change you.
Whoever told you that you are going to be on 2.5mg Rampril for life don't believe them. What a gloomy prognosis to give a 28 year old healthy, energetic, active person. You have been given some good advice on this thread. I will add check your diet that it does not contain too much sugar which is a great culprit for high blood pressure in addition to controlling your stress level. You might also want to try alternative medicine such as consulting a naturopath for a diet regime.
Rather than slap you with pills which are bandaids with big side effects, try to get to the root cause of what is triggering your blood pressure spikes. You might want to watch some Dr Sanjay Gupta , York cardiologist, you tube videos who has done a number of presentations on blood pressure. In one you tube he even says don't get hung up on the numbers.
Blood pressure pills do have their place but to condemn you to them without trying alternate methods is a tragedy because your Rampril dose is really low and you are really young. Don't accept it. Fight back.
Thank you very much for all of your comments, it's very relieving to hear your opinions and positivity that I can change this. I will look up all of the things suggested and keep reading and learning.
I've bought a new Omron smart BP monitor this weekend. I've taken 3 readings so far - 135/89/hr68 at 6.30pm last night - 132/77/hr46 at 6.50am this morning just after waking up - 112/74/hr47 45 7.30am this morning. I'm going to start monitoring it multiple times a day and keep notes of activity and stress/anxiety, I also have a NutraCheck app for logging my diet and nutrition.
I aim to now get in the habit of tracking and then by the summer I want to try to come off my meds and continue tracking to check the effects.
One other potential factor I have found, is that my Grandad was also diagnosed with High Blood Pressure in his late 20's and was on medication for it as far as my nan remembers. He lived until his mid-70's before dying of a heart attack, and my other Grandad also died of a heart attack around the same age. I did say this to the doctor at the time, they tended to shy away from potential hereditary links.
When I try to look at myself objectively, I find things like long distance cycling at fair speeds between 25-28kmh and hiking relatively easy too (did Scafell Pike, Helvellyn, and others last summer). I also like sprinting short distances, however for some reason I can't jog for more that 10 minutes without my heart rate becoming extremely elevated and getting out of breath making it very uncomfortable for me to push through it. Has anyone had any similar experience with certain exercises?
Hi, I was diagnosed at the same age as you. I run 5-10km most days and have a BMI of 21. I'm 52 now and have never been able to get off the meds, I just think I have rubbish genes as have type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol too. It's always good to be the healthiest you can be anyway and hopefully you might be able to come off them. Good luck ♥️
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Felodipine and chest pain
High Blood Pressure in 20 year old Girl
Ramipril - does it get better? 
Not alone 
Ramipril or/and lack of sleep causing higher BP? 
