Desperate

[Tammyann]

Hi - my first message. Just had dreadful bp reading (I'm off chart!). I'm 70 and still working - hard & physically, and love it. I hardly drink, love fruit & vegs - with a few convenience meals. But must lose at least 3 stones. So Feb 1 is D (Determination) Day 😊

[Finnberry]

Wow! To be still working at 70 is very impressive! I'm sure you can lose 3 stones. I did it last year and I'm still losing now, though at a much slower rate. Just count the calories and burn more than you consume.

The bp reading could have been a one-off. I had a really high reading last October when I was poorly. Before that and since, it's been normal. Losing weight should help though. Good luck!

[Tammyann]

Many thanks for words of encouragement. Had high bp before but not like this. But it certainly focuses the mind.

[CaptainRainbow 10 kg]

Hi there! Sounds like your life is generally in a good place, that's amazing

I had a borderline high BP reading about a year ago- not a dangerous reading, but certainly higher than it should be! It only took a couple of months of increasing my walking plus 3x per week gym sessions to get that back into the healthy range. I have an app on my phone that will also take your heart rate, and before I started exercising, my resting rate was usually between 80-90, now it's usually 65-75, so quite a change! So it seems to me that a little exercise can actually go a long way in terms of improving your health, although this is just my personal experience.

Best of luck with your goals

[Tammyann]

That's very encouraging. At the moment walking is going to have to be my main emphasis. So many thanks for your advice. And all the best with your efforts.

[Applebelly]

If your blood pressure is really high, give up salt. That will mean giving up convenience foods and bread. If you give up salt, you will store less fluid. Garlic is said to reduce blood pressure and you can take it in tablet form. This is in addition to your GP's advice, not instead.

[Tammyann]

You've hit it on nail there. I add a little salt when cooking veg but I LOVE bread. I have wholemeal but I have sinking feeling I should cut off bread for time being 😞 . Thank you for advice.