blood pressure

[sharon1967]

hi everyone i'm a newbie,i have had my blood pressure done twice and both times it has been higher than normal, i know have to have a ECG, blood test and urine sample i dont add salt smoke or drink any one in the same boat if so how did you lower it thanks

[Zest]

Hi Sharon,

Welcome to the Healthy Eating forum. There's a page here in NHS Choices about Blood pressure, which might be a good starting point - it has some pointers on diet and exercise etc:

nhs.uk/Livewell/hypertensio...

Lowcal

[phillip107]

i HAVE BLOOD PRESSURE AND TAKE TABLETS.iT WAS A SHOCK TO FIND i HAD HIGH BP BECAUSE i WENT TO GYM REGULARLY AND AM NOT OVERWEIGHT.I AM NOW TRYING TO WALK 30 MINUTES A DAY ,QUITE BRISKLY,5 DAYS A WEEK AS i'M TOLD THIS WILL LOWER BP.I INTEND TO CHECK BP REGULARLY AND IF IMPROVING WILL EASE OF NUMBER OF TABLETS GRADUALLY

[kesh3681]

Juicing beets will definitely lower ur pressure along with carrots and celery. Search holistic ways to lower bp.

[McFarland_12]

I have those problems too. Recently I discovered an article which stated, if you drink a glass of tomato juice per day, it helps lower cholesterol and lose weight. I'm not a medical person, but, would have thought that in its self would reduce blood pressure.

[McFarland_12 in reply to McFarland_12]

Help reduce blood pressure.

[Annde70 in reply to McFarland_12]

Cholesterol levels and high blood pressure are not necessarily related

[Annde70]

Unfortunately there are some people who are genetically predisposed to certain medical conditions, one of which is high blood pressure. I have been on tablets to control my blood pressure for several years, I have regular blood tests to ensure all is well

I'm sorry Dottie but having had parents who had strokes I am putting my faith in my GP and following her advice. I am sure you are well meaning but unless you are medically qualified I will stick to my doctors advice

I know losing weight and eating a healthy diet can help a lot of people control their blood pressure but unfortunately not all

[elliebath in reply to Annde70]

I agree Annde70 , see my comment below

[HitenL]

I have found brisk walking for 30 minutes five times a week has helped me. It's better if you can control and lower it yourself and avoid being put on tablets. Reduce your caffeine intake and drink plenty of water. Introduce beetroot into your diet as this helps to lower BP.

All the best and good luck.

[Rainbow55]

Hi just browsing & read your post. If you eat porridge everyday for Breakfast in about 4 weeks time it will lower your cholesterol level & help to lower blood pressure. Good luck.

[PhilFreeToAsk]

Emotions can affect BP. You may need to look here as well as food and lifestyle for a solution.

[elliebath]

I say "go with your doctors advice".

Yes, a better diet, losing weight, more exercise, minimal alcohol, no smoking will all help reduce high blood pressure, but in many cases that may not be enough.

Like many women, I was diagnosed with high BP in my fifties and given medication. That normalised my BP to 125/70. However at that time I was 2st overweight and tended to drive everywhere.

A few years later I successfully lost that 2 stone, started walking 5-8 hours a week, and reduced my BMI to a healthy 22.5.

I really thought I'd then be ok without the tablets, and stopped taking them.... but my BP shot back up to 145/90 despite all my efforts. So for some of us, medication is still needed no matter what.

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to elliebath]

Yes @elliebath, same here. Lost weight and increased exercise but still need the tablets, just like my slim healthy sisters, brother and both my parents. . .

[Annde70]

So what do you think Doctors take blood tests for? Fun? They use them to monitor all of the chemicals in the body to ensure that the individual has the correct levels in their blood.

And I am sorry but you cannot cure yourself from any illness purely by eating the right diet. Do you really believe that we would have thousands of people suffering from a multitude of diseases if it was as simple as that.

I'm sorry but people like you who spout such nonsense having read a couple of books make me angry. Yes people should eat a healthy balance diet and if they are deemed to be lacking in any particular mineral or vitamin then yes supplements can be beneficial. I notice that you make no warning of the side effects of Magnesium which can be nausea, cramps and diarrhoea or of the fact that Magnesium supplements may be unsafe for people taking diuretics, heart medicine, or antibiotics. People with diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease should not take magnesium without consulting their health professional

Signs of a Magnesium overdose can include nausea, diarrhoea, low blood pressure, muscle weakness and Fatigue, at very high doses magnesium can be fatal

[Annde70]

Funny that, I actually don't believe and trust in everything that doctors say I believe in what I have studied and know about. I have studied Human nutrition and several other health related modules on the way to getting my PhD

And where is it that you have gained all your knowledge, oh! I believe it was from a book written by a Doctor,

And as for saying you can CURE your self of all illnesses and diseases by eating the right diet, you really are showing an ignorance beyond belief.

[Annde70]

I didn't intend to get nasty but it really makes me see red when statements like you can cure everything by diet are made. It's not only misleading but downright insulting to humanity, to all those poor souls living with incurable illnesses to be told if you ate better you would be fine. If only........

[LowFODMAPdiet]

Anyone on Low FODMAP diet here?

I'd just like to share this site - casadesante.com

A very good resource if you're into a Low FODMAP diet or with IBS