Should I go on meds?

[Reidel]

I think I might need to go on medication for hbp. 152/85 usually and never below 140/75. I’m 71 on Apixaban for PAF but no recent af episodes and otherwise healthy- good diet, don’t smoke or drink, active and healthy weight. Any thoughts from anybody? I’d rather not go on meds but I can’t see that there’s much more that I can do. There’s a family history of hbp. Last nurse prac measurement a few weeks ago was 140/75

[Madlegs1]

Probably for the best.

Have you had a 24 hrs test? That would give a better picture.

[Reidel in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks for your reply Madlegs1. I’ve haD the Holter monitor for AF but nothing specifically for BP.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Reidel]

I would look for that before deciding which med to go with.

[Happyrosie]

generally speaking, many people need two medications, each one tackling things from a different angle - information on the Blood Pressure UK website.

[Reidel in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I spoke to a cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation ( a free service apparently) and she was very helpful. I’ll also look at the Blood Pressure Uk site

[Coco51]

You can have a 24hr BP monitor. My husband did and it was very revealing. He had very low BP at night. The 24hr average BP is what you should go on. Have you got a home monitor? You could find you have "white coat" hypertension and your home results are lower which can be reassuring.

But if you've tried cutting out salt and taking loads more exercise without results, then, when all is said and done, why not take the meds? The long-term damage to your heart and body by high blood pressure can lead to many problems later on.

[Reidel in reply to Coco51]

Thanks Coco51. I think I will take everyone’s advice and I’ll ask at the surgery about the 24 hour monitoring to see what that says before going on meds.

[Happyrosie]

I had another look at this post, Reidel, to which I’ve already replied.

My doctors surgery is no longer handing out the machine that does the 24 hour test, for some unknown reason, so maybe you won’t be able to have this. I expect you are already doing all you can on the diet/lifestyle route.

[Reidel in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks Happyrosie. I’ve sent a record of my bp taken twice a day over 10 days to my surgery. Average is 145/80 so we’ll see what they say! I’m guessing that they won’t do 24 hour bp test but they do have Kardias which they give out to patients for AF monitoring so maybe they will.

[rosyG]

I started PAF at age 69 and cardiologist was happy with my BP being in 140s range Now just 80 , still PAF and apixaban, and have tried loads of different meds for BP recently but all disagreeing with me and upsetting heart- heart rates over 200, Systolic `bp dropping to 85 etc. I find walking lowers my BP and hot showers. If your BP is always in 150-160 then maybe consider meds but if in 140s usually I'm not so sure given my recent experience!! Is your AF only at night? Mine is and that's vagal AF and care needed with beta blockers which can worsen things

[Reidel in reply to rosyG]

Thanks RosyG for taking the time to reply to me. Much appreciated. My PAF seems to be in remission at the moment. Just getting lots of ectopics. Interesting to know that hot showers brings your bp down. I thought it might be the opposite! My heart rate is quite low usually about 53 overnight so I’m lucky with that. I’ve sent a record of my bp taken twice a day over 10 days to my surgery. Average is 145/80 so we’ll see what they say!