I just had a bluecrest health screening and it showed my BP was high. Does anyone know of any foods that can lower BP?

[VinG]

[grachap]

If your blood pressure is high, I think it's worth seeing your doctor as medication can reduce your risks. High blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke, so I'd take your bluecrest health screening results to your doctor so he or she can give you the right advice. I know there are certain foods that help with cholesterol (eg avoid butter and I have special spread myself which is meant to help reduce levels) but I am not so sure about blood pressure - am sure there must be some good tips...

[VinG in reply to grachap]

Thanks for your reply, but my BP was not raised to the level at which I would require a visit to my GP - I know how busy they are. I know exercise it good and I have started walking three times a week. I just wondered if any particular foods could help too.

[florence5]

Hi The nitrates in beetroot juice are helpful in reducing blood pressure. What were your readings? Your GP would want to know if your blood pressure is raised at all. Even if it does not require treatment at present, it is a warning sign and should be recorded so that regular checks are triggered. From experience, it can be borderline then suddenly shoot up to dangerous levels. Take care. PS Forgot to say to cut right back on your salt intake.

[Hidden in reply to florence5]

Yes, the GPs would want to know of course - because then they can qualify for another financial bonus by putting you on their hypertension register. If you do go to the GP, make sure they let you sit for a bit before doing your BP, as GPs seem to like to take it when you've been rushing around - which of course is NOT a RESTING blood pressure reading. A rushing around reading means nothing, except that you're alive! But hey, what the heck, if it gives them a bit more cash.

[Textech]

As an initial step, change over to low sodium salt for cooking and adding to salads.

[VinG]

Some really great advice on here thank you very much. My BP was 146 over 94 which I believe is High Blood pressure Stage 1. I want to try to get this down naturally through diet and exercise. I think the advice about monitoring my BP regularly was a good point. I have seen a small home monitoring blood pressure machine which I think I will purchase and I am definitely going to continue to have regular health screens - so much better to get ahead of any potential problems and try to prevent them through diet and exercise. I know many friends who are on all manor of medications and once you start I think its something you have to do for the rest of your life.

[LindyW in reply to VinG]

I eat beetroot 5 or 6 days a week with a salad. The best is fresh beetroot, but the stuff in a jar is OK as long as it isn't the sweetened beet. Also porridge oats for breakfast a few times a week is good. It has worked for me. My BP was about the same as yours; it is now 115/76.

[vizrodge in reply to VinG]

Don't buy the monitor!!!! Apparently they aren't conclusive and not accurate enough for guidance. Even GP's hate them. Buy some beetroot with the money I've just saved you!!

[Hidden in reply to vizrodge]

GPs probably hate them because they give proper readings of when people are resting, instead of the rushed job they do in the surgery. GPs WANT to find high BPs - it's good for business. They get bonuses.

[JimJones2]

I’m not sure if raised blood pressure is worth being too concerned about it can fluctuate at different times of the day etc.. You’re right that a healthy diet might be all you need + the odd bit of excercise!

[patch14]

Oat based foods and oat milk are very good and fibre rich. There is anecdotal evidence that it affects Cholesterol positively and may help with the lowering of blood pressure. Try a few searches on the web and see what advice on diet, exercise and blood pressure readings you can find.

[sandybrown]

All,

Blue crest screening report has many pages depending on how much money was spent. The screening gives, green amber and red to indicate issues. Some are marginal. BP monitor is not that expensive to buy and easy to use to check blood pressure. If you consider going to GP is wasting their time, may be you can check it your self.

How about other results, blood, PAD and ECG?

For me blue crest screening found BBB, I am seeing a cardiologist and to go a 12 lead ECG!!, I am glad the screening found this.

[Hidden in reply to sandybrown]

What's BBB?

[Hidden]

Recent medical research reported that pomegranate juice, just 1 fl oz a day lowers blood pressure by over 12%. POM is available from most supermarkets for around £3 and that will last you a couple of weeks...and it tastes nice too.

[stopgo]

I can only add that its not the type of food its the quantity and i am afraid its the deadly excersize thats needed. !!

[grachap]

agree that oats and fibre is good - never tried the juices suggested, but will do so now - thanks for the info!

[Doug_Hamilton]

Hi!

I just got my report from Bluecrest Health Screening and I too had high blood pressure!! I have found the posts on here helpful and will take on board all tips with regards to diet. I want to start exercising more, are there any particular things I can do that would specifically help with high blood pressure? Which is better, cardiovascular exercise or resistance training? Or a mixture of both? Could someone please advise...

[florence5 in reply to Doug_Hamilton]

Hi Doug, I think the answer to your question is contained in the wording - cardiovascular exercise raises the heart and breathing rates and is therefore most beneficial for any issues pertaining to the heart and vascular system. I don't know a lot about resistance training, but I would think that it might be risky to engage in this to any great extent, without proper medical or physiotherapy advice, especially for those with established heart disease and/or high blood pressure, as it will put an extra strain on the heart and vascular system.

[sandybrown in reply to Doug_Hamilton]

All,

This is very interesting!, BCHS give the report well written in a colour booklet!, How do we READ the findings that are given in Red, amber and green format. I am in the process to see a specialist for BBB. It was suggested that I do a 12 lead ECG check. Blood Pressure, above normal for me!, the other day my BP after 6 months was 120/70.

Please remember the calibration of test equipment and the person doing the test!

You can buy a home BP device, value for money.

Both my wife and I go to GYM in the morning, at starting point on a machine, my heart rate is 90 and my wife's is 115, she has no problems. My wife is in the medical field!. Her BP is also high!

Private screening, "Do we need it?"

[Hidden in reply to sandybrown]

I presume BBB is bundle branch block which presumably was shown on the ECG?

[sandybrown in reply to Hidden]

I have a private echo cardiogram and NHS 12-lead electro cardiogram to check for any heart problem. None found and I am not on any medication. Planning to go for another private health check next year.

[sandybrown in reply to Doug_Hamilton]

Hi,

Please read this weeks copy od The Daily Mail Health section!

[VinG in reply to Doug_Hamilton]

Hi Doug, I think florence5 is correct, cardiovascular exercise is going to be the best at lowering blood pressure. Flexibility and strengthening exercises such as lifting weights are an important part of an overall fitness plan, but it takes aerobic activity to control high blood pressure. And you don't need to spend hours in the gym every day to benefit. Simply adding moderate physical activities to your daily routine will help.

Any physical activity that increases your heart and breathing rates is considered aerobic exercise, including:

Household chores, such as mowing the lawn, raking leaves or scrubbing the floor

Active sports, such as basketball or tennis

Climbing stairs

Walking

Jogging

Bicycling

Swimming

[sandybrown]

All,

This is very interesting!, BCHS give the report well written in a colour booklet!, How do we READ the findings that are given in Red, amber and green format. I am in the process to see a specialist for BBB. It was suggested that I do a 12 lead ECG check. Blood Pressure, above normal for me!, the other day my BP after 6 months was 120/70.

Please remember the calibration of test equipment and the person doing the test!

You can buy a home BP device, value for money.

Both my wife and I go to GYM in the morning, at starting point on a machine, my heart rate is 90 and my wife's is 115, she has no problems. My wife is in the medical field!. Her BP is also high!

Private screening, "Do we need it?"

[Hidden]

Yes, do you remember the huge Atenolol trial a few years ago which showed that, after Atenolol had been widely prescribed for years and years, it did not decrease mortality (despite lowering the BP reading).