High Blood Pressure

[Redbel]

My GP has just started to prescribe me Lisinopril 2.5mg for my Blood Pressure. For the past two weeks a Practice Nurse has been monitoring it, she also advised me to buy a home BP Monitor which I did. I had to go back to the clinic on Monday with my home results, they where about the same as they where when she took it at the clinic. She took it again on Monday and it was even higher. It's the Diastolic number that is the worrying one. She said there and then, I'm going to have to go and consult your GP because it's just getting higher. Thats when I was prescribed the Lininopril.
I must admit it scared me a bit, because of my family history (mum and brother both passed through Heart Attacks and another brother suffers with his). I will also be going for a Blood Test in two weeks.
Anyway, I have been getting early nights and been eating alot more healthily.
I just wondered if anyone knows of any good relaxation techniques. I find it quite hard just to go to bed and drop off quickly, I spend ages tossing and turning.
Thanks x

[Petal~flower]

Hi bez. I was wondering how you were... (send a message on msn) btw

Reading a book always sends me off to sleep. But if not, then try this.

Lay in bed, relax your whole body. Breath in say to a count of 4, then breath out pushing all the air out, and feeling your stomach expand. Concentrate on your breathing, and try and clear your mind. Before you know it, you will be asleep. Always works for me xx

[Petal~flower]

sorry, meant to add..... continue doing this....breathing in and long breaths out....it is very relaxing xx

[Redbel]

Thanks Petal~Flower, I'll certainly give that a try xx
P.S. I'll be on msn in a bit :)

[ethandron]

i'm sorry i don't have any relaxation techniques for you, but just wanted you to know that your blood pressure will be brought under control at some point. i've had 3 increases in medication, and also recently bought a home monitor. i think mine was in part due to 'white coat syndrome' and i've found since buying the monitor and with the latest (5 months ago) medication increase, mine is now always bang in the middle of the 'normal' range. far better to accept the increase in medication and get it down to an acceptable level, especially in view of your family history.
i'm not a good sleeper either, like yourself take ages to drop off, but i've stopped worrying about it and eventually (maybe every 3rd or 4th night) am so tired that i get a good night.
it's not easy to accept at first when something starts going wrong with our bodies, but better to know and be able to do something about it. good luck.

[legend758duo]

glad youre ok bez.
but i knew why you were off anyway.

mind you.,
you hear such lies and rumours on here eh?

glad you posted this to put the record right.
chat later

ste x


( and not a single joke about you tossing or turning lol )

[lou 26]

Ive suffered with high blood pressure since the birth of my daughter almost 5 years ago. Im on perindopril 2.5mg. Although my bp wasnt getting any worse my doc advised me to check it at home in case it was a case of White coat syndrome. I did that and it was still borderline. When i went to the docs for a check up the doc told me to relax and "go to my favourite place" while he was taking my bp. Its been fine since.

When i was 17 i went on an assertiveness course. There we had to practice relaxtion techniques. this is how they did it! lol..... Think of blue liquid filling your body. Start at your feet. The blue liquid goes in through your toes, up to your ankles, into your legs, etc etc feel each part of your of your body relaxing as the "blue liquid" fills your body. By the time you get to your head think of yourself as having a flip top head and let anything thats worrying you flow out. (now for the exciting part) wish yourself to your favourite place. We were all asleep almost by this part. If im having trouble sleeping i still use this technique sometimes and it works every time.

Good luck i wish you well xxx

[andrea81]

I have high blood pressure and I'm very young (26), started during pregnancy 4 years ago! A breathing technique that will work as your body will have no alternative but to relax is the 'in for 7 out for 11' technique!

Start breathing IN fo 7 seconds and OUT for 11 seconds. Your body will naturally relax as the oxygen levels will get to the right level. Also try and imagine every part of your body relaxing (from toes to head) slowly, I always imagine my body parts turning a calming violet colour as they relax!

I know it sounds silly, but I will swear by it!

This is a very good way, but it helps to cut out tea and coffee after 6pm (or do what I did) cut out caffien and go with decaff!

[andrea81]

Just realised how similar mine and lou's is, so really it must have lots of relaxation power!