BP just read at 216/164. seriously worried.......

[Tilly001]

Im 45 yo female.Never had BP like this before.Am seriously worried about my health...GP has immediately prescribed perinpopril.I suffer with migraines that go on for days....light sensitive/blurred vision. I dont drink alcohol,have changed onto lo salt, made an appointment to for a gym assesment. have cut roll ups down to 6 a day (less than half) cant quit totally just yet as a) work with psychiatric patients, and only thing that keeps me sane at times.... b) dont really want to c) i might as well join a convent as only vice i have left. What else is there that i can do to get this BP down?? Any advice greatly received. But please dont go on about my smoking! I know I have to give it up totally eventually but one step at a time! thank-you.P.s. Dont eat meat either, dont know if thats relevant.......

[Aliwally]

My husband tells you not to panic!

His blood pressure was as high as yours and he was immediately put on medication as you were. It took about 6-9 months to work out the right combination of drugs to keep It at an acceptable level

His GP tells him it is most certainly genetic as his dad had very high BP as well, but lived to 84.

I know there are a lot of self help books about lowering blood pressure by a good diet and exercise which all helps.

[Tilly001 in reply to Aliwally]

Thank-you.....your reply means a lot And yes I was panicking! Think it was the shock. have since found out mother has v high BP too. Shes 5 feet,body weight in proportion to height, has never smoked & doesnt drink except at Christmas, and is almost vegan. Bit of a stress head tho.....

I am seriously looking at changing my diet and getting into some regular cardio exercise routine.....Thank-you very much for your support & advice. Is your husband feeling better now?

[Tilly001]

No I havent...I am due a blood test after taking this medication for 2 weeks. Will this test be included in that?

I must admit Im not a regular taker of my B vits...how much do you suggest daily?

Which natural foods do you suggest? I cant taste anything without salt...probably years of smoking no doubt......and no my weight isnt ok....Im much heavier than I should be for my height...something I intend to change quite quickly....followed by giving up nicotine for good....I cant cope with it all at once tho....For my EFAs I do take a supplement....as well as ferrous sulphate.

Thank you very much for your reply. I appreciate all of your advice :0)

[2squirrels]

Other than a more balanced diet I really think there must be medical reason for the high blood pressure which is dangerously high and could play a big part in your migraines. Your doctor should have immediately made you an appointment to see a specialist not just be pill popping.

[Tilly001 in reply to 2squirrels]

Yes, I do feel that a little more explanation and investigation wouldn't of gone amiss! Im not one for pill popping, its a last resort for me.....which is why Im going to do as much as I can to investigate and research this to the best of my ability and get on top of it myself......its a shame that western medicine doesnt look at things holistically.....thanks for your reply

[2squirrels in reply to Tilly001]

By all means look into this but another trip to your own or a better doctor should be made sooner rather than later.

[Aliwally]

Yes, husband is fine, thank you. He is a very practical person who accepts that the medication is helping him and just gets on with his life.

I am not a medic and I don't know your medical history, so I don't know if your migranes and high BP are related, but it's certainly something that you should ask about. Perhaps keep a diary of when your migranes happen and get a specialist opinion as 2squirrels suggests. Although I have been a bit hard on GP's in some blogs, I think your GP was absolutely right to put you on medication straight away to get your BP down .

[RaffC]

Hi

I have been on vast amounts of medication for my BP for 16 years now from when I was in my mid 30s and would still get readings like yours until recently I had a medical and my reading was normal!! first time ever. Dont know if this is the reason but my family all went wheat free Oct/Nov of last year and I have lost almost 2 stone in weight and I started to have fresh beetroot about 3 times a week. Dont know if that will help but be patient and hopefully they will get you sorted. By the way my dad is the same with his BP, he is 85 soon and is fit and active. Good luck

[Tilly001]

Hi RaffC,

Well thats very interesting...wheat free and fresh beetroot...Im intrigued.......have other members of your family lost weight too? You must be chuffed to bits to have got your BP back to normal and with the weight loss. Well done you......I shall take your tips on board and thank-you for replying.

[patch14]

Hello Tilly - Your migraines could well be due to the high BP. My husband suffered from headaches (not migraines) for years until his high BP was diagnosed. Since medicating his BP is now within parameters and his headaches have gone.

I think you are well aware of the route you should consider going down within the next few months, but you are on the right track. Giving up smoking and working on your weight must be the priority, - but as you say, slowly but surely. You shouldn't do it all in one go as it will stress you out and that won't do the BP very much good.

How are you on the exercise front? Do you walk to work, or can you walk daily for half an hour or so? This sounds a bit crass, but walking does give you a sense of wellbeing and can work on the stress you get from work. Fresh air, perhaps a walking companion, (a dog?) or two legged friend, talking about everything except work can give the brain a rest and keep the worries of work at bay. It also becomes something to look forward to and the end of the day.

With the medication, advice from a health professional re your diet, exercise and the gradual reduction on the smoking front and in a few months you should be seeing some substantial reduction in your figures.

All the very best to you and keep us informed of your progress.

[Tilly001 in reply to patch14]

Hello patch 14,

I cant walk to work, too far away and start at 0700 most days....Im on a busy ward & am on my feet all day...i only sit down to write notes, sometimes standing.On a night shift its 12 hours,get a break of about 45 mins....I drive for half an hour each way. I have 2 dogs, young ones, full of beans so need plenty of exercise.I walk them for about 45 mins twice a day (plus they get more with the dog walker while Im at work) To be honest I feel pushed to the limit on the walking front.....i have to take tramadol daily for pain after an accident in 1998 which resulted in 22 ops,hip,knee and ankle all broke to peices...bones mended but cartilage didnt grow back....I take glucosamine sulphate daily which has proved to be an enormous help. i was told i wouldnt walk again, but was determined i would.....spent 9 months in a wheelchair but got there eventually....i couldnt do any more walking, its too painfull.I thought joining a gym would enable me to work on other areas of my body without putting too much strain on my ankle & the joints that cause the pain? Im starting swimming again too...My diet is terrible..its not what I eat but also the times i eat I think.... This is down to my job so cant do much about it......Im up at 0430 if i start at 0700. That gives me time to get the tramadol kicked in, and take the dogs out & try to get in the right frame of mind before work....I cant eat that early, Iv tried but it makes me physically sick before 0830, then I can manage some oatcakes and a banana.....I used to take sandwiches to work..as its the only thing you can really eat there...breaks are unheard of...so I have a sandwich in one hand and a pen in the other...its the only way...I tried taking a salad in but never had time to eat it....I thought I was eating too much bread so have now bought a smoothie maker and am staring to have nat yog with fruit in a drink form that I can sip slowly.... cutting out bread & as much processed crap as possible....its a start!

I am due to have my BP taken tomorrow after a fortnight on the medication....i'll see what that says then start really making the effort with my diet and gym and monitor it again and every 2 weeks thereafter....I'll put it on here as things start to improve! As they surely must!

Thank-you so much for your reply and your advice & concerns....I'll keep you posted :0)

[optom301]

Certainly try beetroot juice daily as I have found it helpful in lowering/stabilising BP in conjunction with perindropril. It can be difficult to get, but Morrisons have it in stock. I have found perindropril to be good without side-effects (I think!). My family history of hypertension + coronary artery disease is strong, so there's often nothing you can do about the genes, just manage the risk factors. Good luck to you.

[Tilly001 in reply to optom301]

Thank-you.

[Tilly001 in reply to optom301]

How much beetroot juice do you have daily?

[optom301 in reply to Tilly001]

I have a small glass/tumbler full (about 100g) - you don't need a large amount daily for it to be beneficial

[Penel]

Cutting out wheat is often a more effective way to lose weight than cutting out fat, and may help to control the migraine (which can be gluten related). blogs.independent.co.uk/201...

I lost just over a stone when I gave up wheat (and sugar), it took a few months. My BP and cholesterol are now lower than average. Might be coincidence, might be lucky genes...

Good luck Tilly.

[Tilly001 in reply to Penel]

thank-you very much appreciated.

[Tilly001]

Thank -you very much for your reply, you obviously really know what youre talking about.....I havent been asked to fast for the blood test but I shall ask about being tested for glucose levels....I dont crave salt, i just find food really bland without it....but ive always had a tolerance for really hot & spicy food, above average it would seem in comparrison...i wouldnt add salt to a curry for example as it already has lots of flavours...Yes there are lots of things to consider arent there? I agree with you to find out the underlying cause, and deal with that first and foremost....your response to my question has surpassed all expectations, and must of taken quite a bit of your time.I am truly appreciative of your knowledge & time.Thank-you very much.

[patch14]

i can fully understand from what you have written that you are a very busy woman, but whatever the day and whatever the challenges you are sent during that day it is important to have at least 30 minutes to yourself. Surely you are allowed 30 minutes to take a break, go to the loo, even if you are doing paperwork at your desk with your lunch in your hand you should be able to have some peace and quiet If only to keep you sane!! Perhaps a rethink of the work rota so that you and your workmates can have at least 30 minutes away from the pressures.

It is not difficult to see that eating regularly would be difficult. I have been told that eating too much carbohydrate can lead to weight gain. Could you cut this out in the evening or at the end of your shift when you have your last meal before sleep. Having done "nights" myself I can remember how easy it was to have just a couple of pieces of toast rather than say, tuna salad or something as it was so much easier to prepare!

With walking your dogs, watching the carbs., and gradually cutting out the cigarettes you should start to see some improvement. It won't happen overnight but any change for the good should be beneficial. All the best to you and I wish you good heath.

[Tilly001 in reply to patch14]

Half hour break?! Youre having a laugh!! I work for the NHS! I get a 20 min unpaid break (shifts 0700-1500 & 1200-2000 or 1930-0730, 45 min break)...work on a medium secure mental health unit..it takes 11 mins (minimum) to get through all the locked doors, hand in keys,alarms, radios etc & wait to be let out of an airlock. Your break starts the minute you step off the ward not out the hospital doors...Im used to it, maybe its why my BP is so high?? Its a very stressfull enviroment...my mental health has always took priority over my physical health...my physical health I can have more control over, my mental health is something that I will never take for granted...thats why I get up so early & mentally prep myself for the working day ahead, & whatever that may entail...no 2 days are the same...thats my 30 mins of peace & quiet...as I wont get any at work, thats the nature of the job.....but I have to change the priorities now, diet, exercise etc...i'll get there! Ive had a scare so I'll have to...thanks for your reply...by the way its down to 171/114 now without any dramatic lifestyle changes...I think thats down to the pills...which Im determined not to depend on .... Thanks very much for your concerns & advice, I'll keep coming back on here with more progress

[ashokbapu]

your stressful life,anxiety and tension seem to be the root cause of your high b.p.relax your mind as much as you can through yogic breathing, healthy diet,heart health friendly nutrients like coq10,acetyll carnitine, l arginine,magnesium,d ribose,jerbal capsules like hawthorn berries, arjuna, green tea etc can help you greatly.avoid high carb diets,sweets fatty foods esp bad fats.you can recover and revive.

[Tilly001 in reply to ashokbapu]

Your right! thats what working for the NHS as a mental health nurse does for you!! Thank you for your recomendations, I shall research these suggestions you have sent me....most a bit alien at the mo....but open minded.....have started yoga again...love it...diet on the mend....roll up intake ever shrinking...bp down to 171/114 so getting there slowly but surely....thanks for your advice :0)

[Hidden]

Don't have lo salt I used that and my potassium went sky high. Try and do without salt altogether. You can do it

[Tilly001 in reply to Hidden]

No I cant! Whats the point of eating food if you dont enjoy it once in a while? Why is potassium so bad? My friend has epilepsy & has been encouraged by his GP to increase his potassium.....am I missing something? Is potassium worse than regular salt? there must be an alternative to salt & lo salt ? I really dont think I can go without a teeny weeny bit once every so often...........thanks for replying

[Hidden]

I didn't think I could but I persevered its wasn't nice to start with but you will get there. My bp is always sky high when the gp or nurse do it when I test it normal.