Blood pressure issues...again....

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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!