24 hr BP monitor gave me 160/??. Am 70... - Cholesterol Support
24 hr BP monitor gave me 160/??. Am 70yr fit and active female, don't smoke or drink, eat healthily. What are my risks if I do nothing?
just feel so shocked at the diagnosis and angry that my body is letting me down. Never before taken much notice of numbers but this has focused me. Been told it's far too high but not totally sure, wonder if dr is being too cautious. Have to have more tests and ecg then see dr. next wk for results. Feel sure she will just put me on pills and hate idea of being on them for life and just losing control. Am sure I use too much salt and am trying to reduce it, could lose some weight but bmi is within range. Of course I drink 
but keep alcohol down to OK levels, and no coalas. Plenty of tea, coffee and water mainly. Wonder how much I can reduce bp by natural means - more walking perhaps but what else to do, already a very active gardener, snow and ice permitting ! Just feel thoroughly sickened about it.
170 over what is the important point as that tells us so,much more and when did you have it checked last do you know if you have always been on the high side or is this a sudden change - both these points can make any answer very different.
August 2011 it was 140/70. Feb 2013 as a result of routine health check it was 163/96 and nurse arranged for 24hr ampb which gave average at 160/90, not sure about diastolic no though. Will it have risen suddenly or over 18mths I wonder. Only spoken to dr on phone so far, he says I will need medication but needs more tests and have to visit him next week for results. Deep down know I should be grateful for having had the check up but I've never been ill and feel I lead a healthy lifestyle though I'm sure it could be improved but not drastically. Hate the idea of permanent meds. How much could I improve matters by doing more exercise, would it be enough?
If you were the slightest bit anxious about going to the Doctors for your health check which many of us are that could have given a higher reading/or any other anxiety! It is not dangerously high but obviously your August reading was ideal! Be sure when you go for your next tests to be calm, don't worry as that will send it higher and if you need one small tablet a day to correct it you just be joining many more fit 70 year olds and are lucky to have got away with not needing them for so long. Don't worry!
This might help: bloodbeat.org/blood-pressur...
Thanks guys, will have to go with what the dr orders I guess. 1 or 2 pills a day is no big deal of course in theory. My son in law was discovered by chance to have hbp and it has taken 2 yrs to get him sorted. The first things didn't work then the next lot gave him mood swings, finally got him settled and his attitude is be thankful it was discovered when it was. Then his much younger and seemingly healthy brother [44yrs] had a massive stroke and died and this has shocked all the family and scared me rigid. So although I'm reluctant to hand my body over to the dr I know deep down I'm being irrational. Perhaps I should buy a dog that needs walking !
