as everyone on here is on different pills for the same problem i wonder what causes the high bp in the first place,it cant be loads of different causes ie age,anxiety,to fat,no exercise,diet etc etc, i know they say as you age it goes up so thats natural you need more blood to your brain, anxiety that gets your heart racing and bp up,but most of you are not old or anxious so there must be a cause that a doctor could treat and not just treat the symptons and cause other problems, ie i could dye my grey hair black but it would not make me look 20 again just hiding the grey hair. im surprised they try to put us old ones on the bp pills as i personally no no one who is old and on them looks like death warmed up lol, the doc i no treat the high bp regardless of side effects one said to me his job was to get the numbers down,no regard to quality of life, i just now refuse to take them for the last 13 months as most regulars on here no,will i live longer off them i dont no but ill live feeling better for however long , i no its not for everyone ,it might cause more anxiety ,it did for me at first as i still got side effects of the amlodipine months after stopping,
cause of high bp: as everyone on here... - High Blood Pressu...
cause of high bp
Hello Peter. As far as I understand it there are very many causes of raised blood pressure. One of which is family history - which you can’t get away from.
Statistics tell us that if we manage to get our pressures down to whatever the medics decide is within acceptable limits, then the risk of early strokes and heart attacks is lowered. Which is a very good outcome.
And that is why, sadly, doctors’ practices are paid when blood pressures of certain percentage of their patients are, through medication or other interventions, kept within ‘normal’ limits.
Taking medication is only one way to keep your pressure within acceptable limits.
what i ment was they just treat the symptoms not the cause which would be better, now i read a lot i find that what you say about family members etc a lot of doctors disagree or its a easy way out, same with been overweight ,losing hair etc, my new doc thinks anyone over 70 etc 160/90 is fine no pb pills,see another one says everone should be 120/80 , now how can everyone be that, id fall over, i was 172/95 at 68 years of age doc said just keep fit. i was still playing football, it was only when reluctenly i got a virus bp went up and got stuck on pills .i now take metatone tonic as well as other things, that gives you a bit of oomph lol, feel great on that and dirt cheap,check it out
I do t know about the doctors you’ve seen, but the ones I have seen in the past have all, correctly, gone down the “lifestyle”route first, and have also recommended the websites where you get the best advice: such as Blood Pressure UK. And Blood Pressure UK give the lifestyle advice. As do other charity websites concerned with heart health, too.
Unfortunately Peter, it seems to me that doctors treat the symptoms and not the cause of many things wrong with us. Easier that way I guess. I'm 79, my doctor would like my blood pressure to be 120/80, I told her I would fall over all the time if it was. I'm on a diuretic my blood pressure was about 138/79 last time it was taken. And I think that's fine.
yes thats a nice number,what is it without meds, i wonder what say your bp 155/90 would you feel just as well and no pills, would it increase your chance of heart attack/stroke ordoes taking the pills cause side effects that harm your body in other ways,i drink tea as a diuretic one cup about 4 wees lol . i suppose if i got no side effects of pills id still be on them but i did,at one point on amlodipine etc i could not walk 50 yards just shuftle with a stick and felt like death,that lasted 1 year plus 1 to 2 hours sleep a night,who can blame me for ditching them, dont get me wrong i still worry about my health and the sleeping is now about 4/5 hours if im lucky but i live now walk about 9 miles every single day in 3 walks rain shine or snow, so for me no other choice ,ive even dyed my mustache.purple for a laugh,look good feel good,it brings a smile to peoples faces
I had this same argument with a doctor 14 years ago. Cause and effect. The reason why family history comes into it is that we (the family) all do the same. Myself and family members all have essential hypertension, but I have discovered certain things that I eat raise my bp as do certain drugs. When I fasted for 3 days my bp came right down and I had to stop taking my medication. Sugar in all forms raises my bp, that’s why wine also raises it. Obviously being overweight or diabetic can also raise it. Doctors do not investigate causes they just want to bring it down, hence the medication. You have to be your own test.
yes but most are scared to do anything when the tell you have high bp you panic and take anything they give you, they say you on them for life,well you would be if you dont change your lifestyle in a lot of cases,there are exceptions which i no as folk keep telling me on here god bless them.
I can blame my hypertension on my family ; I have also found that caffeine in any quantity has a huge effect on my BP, to a lesser extent alcohol has some effect.Since removing caffeine from my diet my BP has crashed to well within acceptable limits.
My DBP has never been an issue, my SBP with caffeine >170 without caffeine 124 despite the fact I am on Amlodopine 10mg and Ramipril 5mg.
Keep well all.
Hi there, I replied to your last post that was based on a similar theme.
I do worry you may be advocating for the readers that diet and life style change is the way for everyone because you feel it works for you.
This unfortunately is not true and can be a dangerous path to tread IMO.
You say your happy with your BP readings what ever they are and no longer have a problem. That's great to hear. But im interested to hear if you dont have a BP problem why are you a member of a BP forum. Just asking.
Anyone reading this I would strongly advise not to stop taking your BP med without speaking with your doctor first.
High BP is not known has the silent killer for nothing. You can look and feel fine untill it's too late. You do not always show signs of high BP. Take care everyone and do what you feel is right for you.
After 20 years on blood pressure medication I managed to get my numbers marginally below the optimal 120 80 and also half my medication dose, by adopting a whole food diet and a 30 mins daily brisk exercise routine. Unfortunately once your arteries become Inelastic as a result of age/metabolic syndrome /lack of exercise leading to the need for BP medication it is highly unlikely that you can ever get drug free. In short cause and effect. Personally I wish, 20 years ago, rather than my GP putting me on the meds he would have told me high BP wasn’t inevitability and is was my responsibility to get my BMI down from 28 to 24, stop eating processed foods and spend less time on the sofa 😞
Hello, while I totally agree with you about losing excess weight and adopting better life style habits would benifit our health overall. I don't think that alone would guarantee we would have an healthy BP.
There are so many into healthy eating and keep fitters. Not to mention well within weight range. But sadly they still suffer with very high BP.
I sometimes think we can forget how much damage stress an anxiety can to push up our BP. And all the other problems it can cause.
Even with a sensible diet, exercise and stress free living. Some of us will still need a little help with medication unfortunately xx
Absolutely! When I was first diagnosed I was indeed told to do all the things you’re supposed to - and I did! However my BP stayed too high (150ish at age 50) so I’ve been taking medication since.Sadly, for the last fifteen years doctors surgeries have been paid (under the Quality Outcomes Framework scheme) in that if 80% (I think) of their patients who have been diagnosed as hypertensive are, in fact, controlled by whatever means - could be diet and lifestyle, could be medication - they get paid extra. Some docs are too busy to bother about advice, possibly.
Hi I think my high blood pressure is due to thyroid problem but GP won't investigate. Easier to prescribe medication and tick the QOF box. I'm normal weight, healthy diet, non smoker, exercise regular but can't get GP to look into the cause.
GRRRRR ....!! Maybe another doc in your practice is more interested?Have you looked at the website of Blood Pressure UK? helpful stuff there.
Thanks for your reply, I have been trying for over a year now. No one interested, they. Just say depression or anxiety 😡 and keep taking the tablets!I have blood tests to show my thyroid is struggling but they dismiss me all the time.
I agree with you. But, my diet has always been almost identical to what the NHS now promotes as their Eatwell plate. I didn’t exercise much when I was working though. Probably only 8000 paces a day average and no ‘strength’ work. How that I’m 75 I do more exercise, joining Joe Wicks on UTube for ten minutes each morning and ten thousand paces a day average.
For the first time ever, I forgot my daily pills last Saturday. I swallowed them at 3 pm instead of 8 am when I remembered so I took my BP out of interest. It was 147/90 instead of my usual 120/80.
150 at 50 years of age would have been perfect 15 years ago it was always 100 plus age, if u look now for older folk it still is ok and from what i read no need to treat it at that, getting it down lower does not seem to improve health, but like everything else its your own choice how you get well,
Hi there peter, according to NHS guide line 150/90 or higher is thought to be a high BP if your 80 or older.
As a general guide:
high blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher (or 150/90mmHg or higher if you're over the age of 80)
ideal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg
Blood pressure readings between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg could mean you're at risk of developing high blood pressure if you do not take steps to keep your blood pressure under control.
Everyone's blood pressure will be slightly different. What's considered low or high for you may be normal for someone else.
While lowering BP may not help you feel better. It generally helps people live a little longer. Also Lower BP should make you feel better. Reducing headaches for example is just one way BP meds may help a person.
so if u are 145 you are on pills even if fit and well but someone who is not fit and well,smokes,drinks no exercise at 139 is fine,daft really, its not just about numbers its quality of life, if the pills make u feel bad thats no life,but its your choice what you take, a glass off beetroot juice a day lowers bp.i cant stand it. what works well for me was a baby asprin everyday but now most docs frown on it, but wife takes it and doc not likes her to but hospital consultant says its fine if not causing problems, who to believe. i have no side effects on asprin and most i no who took it in thereearly forties alive and thriving. my mates mum 94 been on it 50 years ,it use to be recomended, i use turmeric .
HI, I am struggling to understand what your problem is. If you are happy with your BP and your happy with how your controlling it. I don't see a problem or why you continue to stress yourself.
How others decide to deal with their BP that is up to them I'm sure you would agree with that. Even if you don't seem to agree with anyone's else opion on the subject.
With that I think my imput on this particular post has gone has far has is possible for me. I wish you well and hope you continue not to need the help of BP medication.
Daily aspirin gave me gastritis sadly. Awfil indigestion and so painful at night with risk of a stomach ulcer too. Doesn't affect everyone the same way though of course.
i dont stress myself just trying to help those that suffer side effects,it seems there use to be a few on here who went the alternative route but dont post now as it seems no one takes much notice ,they take a pill then another and so on. its up to you how you live your life,what you take etc, pity there is not a alternative to pills section lol , that would get some comments
Some of us have changed their lifestyle, diet etc. but still need medication as well. Taking medication is not a sign of weakness or due to laziness but a necessity in my case.Also I admit that the meds can cause some considerable side effects but that wears off if you stick with it. I wouldn't want my bp to be skyrocketing again.That would put even more strain on a heart thickened by too much pressure and I'm keen to avoid that.
I am 70 and my mother died from a stroke. I am also a cancer survivor (19 years). When I went through my cancer scare I lost 30 lbs and adopted a macrobiotic diet. My blood work including BP adjusted literally to perfect in a matter of weeks. As of a year ago, my BP was 140-150 over 90-100. I decided to lose weight (have dropped 30 lbs so far...I am 5'7" and am down to about 155 lbs., heading for 145). I also stopped drinking wine which I have discovered was causing my BP to rise. With the medication, it dropped to approx 120-80. I started walking twice a day for a total of 5 miles a day. I go at an easy pace (25-30 minute miles). As of 2 weeks ago, my BP was regularly in the 105/65 range and in fact dropped close to 95/60 a couple of times. So my doctor cut the medication in half. As of this morning, it is 117/75. My goal is to try to eliminate the medication altogether. Good luck...getting old sucks!!!! 
I think you hit the nail on the head with "They just treat the symptoms". If you look at statins (to reduce colesterol), It doesn't only attack colesterol but muscle tissues as well (along with other tissues). It may well be that a person feels no detrimental effects from colesterol problems, but as you mentioned, doctors are compelled to address it as orders from above dictate (Big pharma). Yet the treatment can now bring on problems the patient never had before, like muscle aches and pains. But so what, big pharma can sell you something else now. To be honest, from the pharmecutical point of view, a cure that brings on further problems is actually more profitable than a cure that doesn't, and big pharma is in it for money, you need look no further than the last two years to see that. This is not to suggest that they don't care at all, it's just they will more likely come up with something rather than let the profit slip by as long as it is seen to be safe.
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