Blood pressure issues...again....

[carole]

When i was on the way back from the dog pound today, i had to get my medication,i noticed the pharmacy were doing blood pressure checks for five dollars,as it has been five months since the last time and before i lost any weight, now having lost 20 pounds, i decided it was time to check it, it had previously been quite high and i was hoping the weight loss would have done the trick.

I was devastated to find not only was my BP sky high, it was worse than before the weight loss, i am totally gutted, a reading of 189/103 is not good, i was a little nervous and i know that can contribute to it, they call it white coat hypertension, when people get nervous at the doctors and there BP goes up, however i don't think it would be near that high, the lady who took it urged me to seek a doctors appt, that minute, however i just was not able to do that right there and at that moment.

I will of course go to the doctor, i guess much to my dismay i will need medication,i honestly came home and bawled my eyes out, i really thought i would have taken my BP down and i am really disappointed, not to mention i am so mad at having to take more meds.

Anyhow just wanted to share, and if you are taking meds, again refresh my memory,how are you doing, how are the side effects, and is there any more i can do to help myself, i know i could do more exercise and that has been my downfall, and reduce my salt intake, i am not heavy handed with salt, but i do have some on my meal at times,and i don't eat many snack foods containing high sodium levels, but still i want to reduce my intake anyhow.

Thanks for listening.

[joycenalex]

aw carole, i'm sorry that it was so high.....i'm not on BP meds, so i cannot offer any insight, but i hope that your DR finds one that works well for you and soon.

[happylabs]

I have been on BP meds for years. I take Diovan. It doesn't matter what I do to bring it down, it seems to be hereditary for me. It is upsetting when you first find out you have to take meds for it. I do understand that. I was told I shouldn't go off of it because I could have a heart attack. Sooo, I just take it and don't worry.

[Cataholic]

Carole, sorry to hear that. I would get in to a Md soon. HOWEVER I have heard that those machines CAN be inaccurate. Plus, having just come from the pound could explain an elevation, IMO. I also would nix ALL table salt from your meals. In time, you get used to it. I have not salted my food in years. I don't even have a filled salt shaker. I do pepper and season things, though.

Go drink some water and walk 2 miles...hey, I AM a doctor...you know, maybe not medical...he he he

[Grace]

Carole, that is high, but don't get too upset by one reading. You need to have it checked several times to get a pattern.

You should get your own BP monitor - and check it at home, $5 for one reading is a rip-off. Even down there in NZ you should be able to find one at your local pharmacy. Or order from Amazon.

I've been on BP meds for 15 years now, and I check mine every day here at home.

[Laura's Babies]

Yes, I would keep a check on it for several days to see what it runs over a period of time before I get TO alarmed. My ex also would get the white coat high BP, all he had to do was walk into a doctors office or hospital and his would shoot way up, even if he wasn't there for himself.

Watch what you are eating closer, read lables and keep a watch on it.

Mine tends to run low and it got TO low Tuesday when I had my colonscopy, Rie said my BP and oxygen levels dropped and they kept me there until it came back up, scared the B'gees out of Rie.... but in thinking back, during preadmit, the nurse kept pumping up the BP cup and after about the 5th time I asked her if it was running low and she said it was a machine error and kept trying... now I wonder. I am going to keep a closer eye on it from now on... wondering if my weight loss has effected it like that or maybe the cleaning out process?...

[moosmom]

Carole,

Have you had your cholesterol checked lately? I had high blood pressure in high school. As I got older, it went back to a normal reading. Don't know why but I'm glad.

Cholesterold, lipids, triglycerides and bp are all connected. I worry about ya, girl. Take care of yourself!!

[kokopup]

Carole, Grace is right, you can not judge your pressure from one reading, however being as high as it was is not good. You need your own monitor for sure and you also need to schedule an appointment with your Doctor. Unresolved high blood pressure can lead to heart problems and can do damage to other organs.

I have the opposite problem most of the time. I have baroreceptor reflex failure so my pressure goes both very high and then very low.

Here is a link for a monitor website. It has been my experience that medical supplys are cheaper in Australia. I buy all of my Pet meds from Australia and have them shipped to US cheaper than I can buy in US, Faster Too.

http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/elec...ory-functions/

[pomtzu]

I buy all of my Pet meds from Australia and have them shipped to US cheaper than I can buy in US, Faster Too.

Bill - not to change the subject of this thread, but you might want to check this out - vetshoponline.com - for pet meds. I get Advantix from them for $30 less than my vet charges, and considerably less than other on line pet med places that I've found.

[kokopup]

Sorry Carole don't want to hijack your thread, just wanted to respond to Ellie and thought others may find this interesting. This site is good for cat, dog and horse needs

The Austrailian site actually has supplies cheaper and shipping is less. They have a lot of combo deals like frontline and Heartgard at a reduced combined price. They also have some very good generic meds for less. There is no prescription required for heart meds or actually anything. I can order something online and 4 days later it is in my mailbox in Alabama. I never receive this kind of quick service from US suppliers.

http://www.equine-mega-store.com/

[slick]

Here's what I do.
1. I never trust those machines.
2. I always take my blood pressure at home after I've been sitting for at least 15 min.
3. I take it at a variety of times. Sometimes first thing in the morning, sometimes at work and sometimes in the evening. I never panic unless I get 3 consecutive high readings - which has not happened for years.
4. I do watch carefully what I eat now and always read the labels of what I buy. Where possible, I purchase low salt foods. Canned tomatoes and bottled spaghetti sauce are two things I don't buy anymore just to name a couple. Too much hidden salt.
5. I have also cut back on dairy. I cut out the milk and only drink soy milk now. I've cut way back on cheese (that was the hardest thing to do) and eggs too.
6. I only eat meat 3-4 times a month. My protein mainly comes from beans, legumes, tofu and fish.

I'm on two different blood pressure meds along with a water pill. The meds along with my modified lifestyle are doing the trick for me. Oh yes, and there really is something called the whitecoat syndrome - even my GP admits it. My BP is always higher in the doctor's office, but she's happy as long as it's normal at home.

[davidpizzica]

Oh, Carole! I'm so sorry to hear this. I've been on blood pressure meds for a long time now and I've never had any side effects from it. When I was in physical therapy, when I would finish one exercise, the girl would take my BP and it would usually be normal.I've cut way down on the salt and I avoid all caffeine too. {{{{HUGS}}}} to you,Carole!

[Karen]

Yes, Carol, sometimes high blood pressure has nothing to do with your weight. Someone I love who is completely of normal weight needs bp meds, I am quite overweight and do not. Sometimes it just is. Do you have a home bp measuring device? They are not very expensive, at least here, and once you get the hang of using them, it's not difficult.

As for taking more meds - I take a handful, every day, just so I have breathe without wheezing and sniffling. It's worth it, for me, so I just make it part of my routine. There a big disincentive to skipping, if I do, I am snuffly, get sinus infections that take days to clear, and am miserable.

With high blood pressure, the consequences are not immediately evident. That's why they call it "the Silent Killer" - but we want you around for a good long time, so go see the doctor! That's an order, young lady!

[pomtzu]

Carole - If your doc determines that you need meds to keep the BP down - please take them. It's not worth the risks you would take by not taking any.

High BP runs in my family, but I am fortunate that mine runs pretty normal, and even low at times. My brother had high BP but refused to take any meds - said he was just fine without them. He looked like the picture of health, but that silent killer was at work. He had a massive stroke at 59 - never worked or had another normal day in his life - and passed away from complications when he was only 64. In all probability, he would still be alive today, if only he hadn't been so stubborn.

Don't take chances - please - it's just not worth it. Even if you don't do it for yourself, then do it for all who love and care about you. I wish my brother had.

[kimlovescats]

I agree that high BP is not weight-related completely! It tends to be hereditary! My mother has always been teeny-tiny and she has very high BP! I have had high BP since in my early 20's too. I just now, at age 45, decided to buy my own cuff and I am checking it several times per day. I do take Lotensin for mine and it helps greatly with no side effects! Take care and keep the weight off because that DOES affect your health in many ways! I wish I could get myself in gear and drop some weight like you have!