Blood Pressure Blues.............

[maillme]

Hi There, just looking for some advice on blood pressures:

About a yr and a half ago, i got mine taken for my employment medical , it was:

167/92

Then i decided i was going to lose weight! So since then ive lost approx 3� stone - so i was going past occupational health the other day, so i nipped in and got it taken again:

147/87

Now, as far as i'm aware My Systolic is still high at 147

And my Diolic is acceptable.

I suspect the only thing causing this, is the fact im probably still a bit overweight........but i am extremely active, and have been since my quest to lose weight......

I cycle approx 50 miles a week, do a bit of running and some spinning classes aswell - and have never felt healthier..........although i would still like to lose those other points! (Nurse said it could be White Coat HyperTension) - in that i get anxious when its getting taken. The Dr. sprung it on me when i was there for somethign un-related, and it was perfect.......

Anyhow - i thought i'd be a super geek - and bought myself a blood pressure monitor - and i tried it this morning, and my systolic was up at 170!! - So i phoned my bro to ask some advice, and he reckoned the fact i was majorly hung over from last nights party prob done that! Took it half an hr later and it dropped to 151.........

Anyhow - this is really just a story, and a little quest for any advice anyone can give to let me get that 147 reading to below 147!!! Im guessing my still being too heavy could be the only thing affecting me, which im always losing.......i HATE salt, and avoid adding it at all costs!!!

many thanks for your time, sorry if its a mish mash story!

Neil

[qapmoc]

Hi Neil, Well as you say that you don't take salt it should not be due to high sodium levels maybe your system is low on potassium, Try using a salt/potassium substitute such as ''LO SALT'' in your food instead of just salt, this stuff is 33%sodium-66%potassium. mind you the label says the taste is the same as salt but it actually tastes bl00dy awful. I always put in my morning porridge and don't notice the taste so much while I am still half asleep.
otherwise you can try adding things naturaly high in potassium to your diet such as -

Apricots (fresh)
Bananas
Cantaloupe
Dates, figs, and raisins
Pears (fresh)
Kiwi fruit
Melons
Nectarines
Oranges and orange juice
Peaches (fresh) Avocados
Brussels sprouts
Lima beans
Potatoes
Spinach
Tomatoes (fresh)
Winter squash Clams
Milk
Peanuts
Sardines
Yogurt

[sholay]

I always thought the systolic was supposed to be roughly 100 plus your age

[maillme]

thanks for your replies.

I dont put any salt in my food whatsoever.......only what is initially in the food i eat.....

However - thanks for the list of foods that can help......theres a few on their i like!!!

I hope it's not your age + 100 or im well over!!!!! :(

Neil

[qapmoc]

Well, according to the WHO this is the recommended chart for adults (No age limits specified) !

Normal - systolic <130 diastolic <85
Borderline - systolic 130-139 diastolic 85-89
Hypertension - systolic >140 diastolic >90

[fatcat]

Hi Neil

I've just been prescribed blood pressure tablets and I'm only 34 so I was a bit bummed. A few years ago I had hospital tests as my doctor was concerned about my readings but the result came back as white coat hypertension (which made me feel a bit of a fraud for some reason). Anyhoo, this time my doctor made me wear an ambulator which is basically like a mobile blood pressure monitor. I wore it for 24 hrs and it took a reading every half an hr during the day and every hr during the night. Because it's a series of readings it gives a more accurate picture. Maybe if you ask your doctor for this test it could put your mind at rest.

Of course, family history can be a big factor as can smoking and processed foods. My doctor reassured me by saying that only 1 in 5 people with untreated hypertension will actually go on to develop long term complications such as stroke etc and that taking the tablets was a way of reducing a small risk even further.

Previously, only the diastolic reading was really taken into consideration but now the systolic reading is thought to be just as important. The thing is the more you worry about it the higher it can go!

Hope this helps.
Good luck with it and keep on with losing the weight!

[hopalong]

maillme: You said you where going past the Occasional Health and nipped in for a BP check. When you went in where you taking right away? You should rest for at least 10 minutes before any check is made. Make an appointment again but this go early before your time so you can settle down.

[gemma28]

hi neil,

my names gemma,iv just seen this and had to reply, i have just had a baby,im 24 years old, when i went for my 6 week check up the doc took my bp, mine was 184/108, now thats scary,i have been taking my tablets for 2 weeks now and gotta go back next week to see if they are working,im that scared about it i cant sleep at night,the funny thing is stress and worry are a big problem with high blood pressure but it still doesnt stop me from making myself sick with worry and im only 24,!! Life just sucks sometimes doesnt it? anyone with higher blood pressure then me i would love to hear from you. thanx 4 listening.

gemma

[Bluemukka]

Gemma

if you think that's bad, when I was pregnant with my last baby my BP went up to 240 / 120. Cue ambulance and emergency c-section. My BP has been on the high side ever since and i am still on medication for it nearly 2 years later.

Like you, I would lie awake at night worrying about it and what would happen to my kids etc if the worst should happen. I know it's hard but you need to chill and put it right to the back of you mind. Try and lose weight and take baba out for a walk every day - exercise is a great way of bringing down you BP. When you are at the doctors having you BP read again make sure you arrive in plenty of time so you can have a sit down and when they strap the cuff on, imagine yourself lying on a lovely white beach and DON'T PANIC!!!

Good luck.

[Dassie]

I also had a high reading of 148 / 90 and was put on tablets which reduced it slightly. The big breakthrough came however when I asked for a cholesterol check. This was very high ( 7.4 ) and when I took tablets for this down came my bloodpressure to 125/78 so now only take statins for cholesterol.

The "perfect" bloodpressure is 120/80 and cholesterol ideally under 4.5 but be warned, in this country the cholesterol tablets are expensive for the NHS so they will do their best to say otherwise!