Re. these NHS health check-ups being run out over the country: i was called for cholesterol test in Dec 2012.

An earlier one, which I requested about 3 or so yrs ago, was borderline I think, but I didn't take much notice of the numbers back then. I do remember being given a diet sheet and tossing it in the bin! The latest results also came back as 'OK' but then after Xmas I was called for a health check up and the nurse told me my BP was 163/96 and arranged for a 24 hr monitor which said 160/90 - not a lot better. Have had numerous blood tests, urine tests, ecg and all fine. Decided to change life style although as a non smoker, low drinker, healthy eater it was limited what I could do. Have eliminated SALT as much as possible, taken up brisk walking, 2 or 3 miles daily, deep breathing exercises, and now have to await visit to dr in a weeks time for results. Really hope I've managed to make enough difference to avoid pills but only time will tell.I'm 70 and have always had really good health and I feel depressed about this and frankly my efforts have become an obsession which must be bad? I am wishing I'd never gone for the checkup - do the doctors get paid a bonus for every person they drag into the net, because what I am feeling is they are saying "You have had good health for 70 years - it can't go on for ever and we are going to drag you into visiting us regularly. Your blood pressure is too high".Tell me I'm being ridiculous ???

[Aliwally]

You are absolutely not being ridiculous, it must be really hard after 70 years of good health to be told you need medication. There are some complicated arrangements for GP's to "reach targets" or drag you into the net as you more honestly phrase it.

The only thing I would say is that my husband had 24 hour monitoring for his high BP and his GP explained that it was high even during sleep when he had no control over it, so it does give a realistic picture without the emotion of having it taken at the surgery.

It's sometimes a mixture of age (sorry!) and genetics and I know that taking regular medication is a huge barrier to overcome when you're not used to it. Maybe try it for a while if you have to, at least then you won't be nagged so much. Watch out for a cough if you are prescribed ACE inhibitors which is anything ending in il, like ramapril and don't put up with it.

[Hidden in reply to Aliwally]

Did your husband go on pills without screaming and shouting? I know a lot of people say what's the big deal, my son-in-law for one. Of course being younger [he's in his late 40s] it's more serious and also his brother died of a stroke suddenly recently. That focussed his mind. But in a sense it's the principle of the thing - I've just never done doctors and have always preferred to treat the cause rather than the symptom. What scares me about giving in to pills is that you are trapped for life. I take your point about the Ace inhibitors, I'd heard about this cough you can get, then with calcium channel blockers you can't eat grapefruit and that would be a real blow for me. I feel really resentful about the whole issue. The practice nurse just flatly said the bp was high, both numbers, and I'd have to have pills - end of story. I almost had the feeling she punched the air after I'd left saying "Yes - I've got another one in the net" !!

[Aliwally]

I've just asked him and he said it was either that or die! He is a very practical person, plus his BP was extremely high, something like 220 over 160 and he was not feeling well either. His dad also had very high blood pressure and died of heart failure....mind you he was 84 and died during a very complicated operation for a strangulated hernia.

At the end of the day it is your decision, as Dr Kendrick says, there are no medication police out there forcing you to take them .

[Hidden]

Oh gosh that is high, what am I complaining about. I hope he's fine now. I would have described myself as a practical person too so I do still wonder at my reluctance. Scared and fed up in equal measure I suppose.

[patch14]

Hi gardengnome42 - what a splendid nom de plume - I have a wonderful mental picture of you with red hat sitting in the garden!! BP - a subject that my husband knows well. He had been suffering for years with horrendous headaches and finally went to the Dr to only find that his BP was well up. He went on to tablets with terrible side effects, cramps, vomiting, dizziness, stomach cramps etc., He went back, after several years of all this (he assumed the Dr knew best) and his GP ( a new chap) took him OFF all medication and sent him for tests. He was one of the first to have the camera travelling through his "tubes" (he had to swallow it) and carry a computer pack for 8 hours before returning to the hospital to turn all the electronics in. The camera was "passed" via normal channels! This proved that he has torn his throat with all the vomiting and now has to take tablets for his throat, a tablet for his BP (albeit a very low doze) and one for his tummy to prevent vomiting!!!!

He does say that he feels a lot better than he has ever done and has, at 65, a good energy level and is still working. The morning ritual of tablet taking takes only seconds and although they are for damage done he is well. He takes iron tablets occasionally if he gets tired, and quinine for leg cramps if they are bad (very rarely) . He became horrendously anaemic during the initial tablet taking for BP due to the vomiting and was not at all well, but now all is good.

At the weekend he is doing the "Maldon Mud Race" at Maldon in Essex. A yearly ritual that he has done for several years. He gets absolutely plastered in mud, totally exhausted and loves it!! He must be one of the oldest (and maddest) but he .feels well enough to do it!

You may find that the initial tablet taking does cause some problems but don't do what my husband did and let it continue too long. If you do have any problems go back to your GP and keep him informed of any troubles. There are several tablets on the market to choose from and one will be right for you. Go well and good health.

[Hidden in reply to patch14]

Thank you for your reply - I'm not really very gnome like but I am a keen gardener and I wear a red hat but rarely sit down - too much to do!

Your poor husband, sounds like he has really been through the mill, how did he manage to put up with all that trauma wihout going back to the GP. I've heard plenty of horror stories about tablet taking but vomiting and ending up with a torn throat as a result is horrific. Glad he's

My own husband has had a winter of really bad health, 2 hospital stays with intensive care hrown in and another near miss, all for the same bladder infection. However a checkup at the GP today revealed no problems with his blood pressure. He smokes though not much, piles salt on everything, says he enjoys the 'crunch' ...eats loads of butter and cream and isn't overweight.and hardly ever takes exercise. I'm the one who exercises, doesn't smoke and eats more healthily and yet I'm the one with high blood pressure. Life really isn't fair is it?

Next week is my moment of truth at the GP and I suppose I will have to do as I'm told re the pills but it will be interesting to see whether my efforts will have made any difference. More than likely the white coat syndrome will send the bp through the roof.

Hope the Maldon Mud Race goes well, sounds fun.

[DakCB-UK]

Not ridiculous, but I doubt that you're so charming and fun that the medics want to see more of you for their own sake! No, they're probably doing this because they think it's your best chance of long-term survival.

There doesn't seem to be much support for the psychological effects of chronic illnesses. It is an intimidating thing to be told that medics want you to take pills indefinitely. Asking about what you feel is a good step towards making peace with it, though. I wish you the best in that.

[Hidden in reply to DakCB-UK]

Thank you for your reply.I really do dread being told that I will have to take pills for ever. We all have to depart this world at some point, I'd prefer to go out with a bang, pills or no pills!

[patch14]

My husband, being stubborn, has this "the Dr knows best" attitude, and despite my best efforts refused to let him know the side effects and kept taking the pills saying that "it should settle down eventually"!!!!! My nagging got him back to the GP who was furious with him for letting it get so bad!! The GP was very good at getting to the root of the problem and changing his medication and getting what he needed to solve the troubles he had. (Wouldn't have been necessary if he had listened to me!!!!!!) MEN!!!! Anyway, all's well that ends well.

[whynot]

Taking medication is always a balance of risks. I speak as someone who should have dies 3 x from different conditions. I still take medication for 2 of them. Have taken medication since I was 29 - now 57. I have always led what I consider a healthy liefstyle.and have no side effects from the drugs I am taking - I stopped other drugs that gave me side-effects. I 've takewould say take the tablets and weigh up the risksonce you've taken them for a while. If they don't agree with you go back and see if you can get an alternative.