Blood pressure issues...again....

[RICHARD]

Carole,


If it makes you feel better?

The last time I saw the doc the nurse took my BP once.

Shook her head, took it again, recoiled in her chair, took it the third time in from of a doctor!

I think for the first two readings I was dead.

I have a weird BP thing too, the first readings are always an adventure!

Here in the U.S. we have pharmacies with machines you stick your arm in and it automatically reads it for you, for free!


Hang tough, everything will check out OK.!

[carole]

Ok here's the thing, it is not a one off reading, it was high over five months ago, but i decided to loose the weight and see if it changed, i was going to wait until i reached my goal, but as i was there and i saw they were doing it, i decided to have it done, and i will get two more readings next week,if it was the first time to be so high i would think yeah it is the nerves, but honestly i don't think so, it might come down so much, but not that much, she did make me rest for five mins before taking it, as i had been rushing around a bit.

I do have hereditary links, my mother had it at about the same age as myself, and of course she is on meds.,my dad might be too, not sure have to ask him about that.

Donna my cholesterol was great last time i had it taken, i will of course get a whole stack of bloods done when i go see the doctor.

And you all know my diet is really low fat, and pretty healthy,not a smoker or drinker,but a highly stressed individual, lol, yep maybe that is the cause, well it does not cause it, but does not help does it?

I just wanted to avoid taking meds at all costs, that is why i was working so hard at my weight loss for health reasons, and i feel very depressed today, knowing now that i probably have no choice, either that or i will be six feet under.

I had very little sleep last night, worrying myself about it, i guess i am worried there is another cause for it, and they just have not found that yet,it is just the shock of it really, i was expecting a good result, but i was really nervous in case this was the result.

I will book an appt next week to see the doctor, i have so many others things needing sorting as well, i just was not ready to go yet, but i guess i have no choice.

Thanks for your responses.

my sister has a blood pressure machine, maybe i could borrow it, cannot see the point in buying one if i am going on meds anyhow, as they will be checking it regularly from now on i suppose.

[Grace]

my sister has a blood pressure machine, maybe i could borrow it, cannot see the point in buying one if i am going on meds anyhow, as they will be checking it regularly from now on i suppose.

Yes, they will be checking it regularly, but not everyday. You can do that at home, and keep a record to show the doc when you have an appointment.

[carole]

Yes i guess that is a very valid point you make, see what i can do.

[Sirrahsim]

If you do have to go on meds and would prefer something natural you can ask your doctor about taking Garlic and Fish Oil capsules. My husband's doctor had him go on those for 6 weeks when he was diagnosed with high blood pressure (and his cholesterol was a little high). Within those six weeks his numbers for both improved quite a bit.
He also has "white coat syndrome" and having a blood pressure machine at home helped us to not worry as much! We got ours at Walmart for around $30, though I have no idea how prices translate from here to there!

[kokopup]

While some people may be able to lower their blood pressure by losing weight, it is not a given. I have seen morbidly obese people with perfect blood pressure and someone as skinny as a rail with high. Before i developed baroflex failure I had high blood pressure. I have always been very slim, so weight and blood pressure are often not related. Being over
weight can cause many other health problems so it is a good idea to slim down if possible.

It is also a good idea to monitor your own blood pressure if possible. You can overdo this
also because your blood pressure does go up and down during the day. The important thing
is for it to OK most of the time. You can get obsessive about checking it and cause it
to increase if you aren't careful. Once or twice a day is fine. Some days I don't even
check mine because I can usually tell when it is low. Mine stays low more than anything.

[carole]

odourless garlic might be ok but i am allergic to fish, so no fish oil for me, but thanks i will check in to alternatives, and it seems a blood pressure machine might be a good idea, see how we go next week, get a reading on Tues and Thurs possibly, let you know how it goes, thanks everyone for your comments , advice , experiences, it is alway's good to hear and learn from others.

[carole]

I just wanted you all to know i got my sisters blood pressure machine today, it is identical to the one used at the pharmacy, i had just got back from some shopping, sat down for a couple of minutes, so was not competely relaxed, but thought ok let us just take it anyhow.

Listen to this my BP was 126/80 which i think is pretty good BP for my age etc,certainly should be out of the danger zone anyhow,that is a big come down from 189/103 i am over the moon, obviously i had white coat hypertension, i took it a few minutes later when i had been active and it went up a bit, but not by that much.

I will keep taking it over the next two days, but it is looking very good and looks like i will not be needing medication, you have no idea how much that means to me.

Also my friend Jane who was with me had her's taken, she had been relaxing sitting in the car reading the newspaper, she is very active, and her's was also up it was 140/90 which is considered pre-hypertension and that is higher than her's usually is.

So thank you all for encouraging me to use a blood pressure machine, i almost decided not to, I am glad i listened to you all, and this proves my weight loss has indeed done what i had hoped.

i don't think i am counting my chickens before they hatch, hope not anyhow, just so happy, carole is doing a happy happy dance now.ok my research online tells me 120/80 is what i really need to be, so i will have to continue with the weight loss, up my exercise and cut out my salt, and hopefully i will achieve that,but i do not have to panic and be over concerned, just need to work on some things, and see if i can improve it, gosh my hubby has low BP his is 98/62 eek.

[Grace]

Wonderful news!!

But don't stop checking - either borrow your sister's machine, or get one for yourself. You need to check your BP frequently - and keep a record to show your doctor.

[carole]

yes i will have my sisters machine for a few weeks, and i think i will invest in one when i can, i am not going to the doctor now, i don't see the need 55 dollars i cannot afford right now, and it does not seem necessary, i will continue with all the right things, and work hard to get it lower, and keep a good eye on it.

[Karen]

Check it every day, and keep a running log, okay? We love you!

[carole]

Thank you Karen, I love you all too, and yes i am doing that, checked it today when resting 123/78 after exercise 137/88 and last night when i was rested it was 125/78, i think they are all very good readings for someone my age, i cannot see i am a risk at all myself,what you all think?

[Grace]

I think those number are great - and keep it up for a few weeks more. Then maybe once a week

[carole]

will do folks, thanks.

[davidpizzica]

I totally agree, Sis. I think those mumbers are really good for you.