High blood pressure remedies?

Not reading the political threads on GN.

Losing weight is supposed to help, cut down on salt and alcohol but maybe you've already tried the traditional ways of lowering BP including more exercise.
Sorry I don't have a miracle cure or I'd take it myself.

I shall be interested in the answers. I am trying to monitor my BP for a week following my optician noticing possible signs of hypertension. I have white coat syndrome and am finding even my home readings are now all over the place. I looked up ways to lower BP and the only changes I can make are to lose more weight and lower my salt intake. I already exercise a lot and don't drink alcohol. I have thrown away the sea salt grinder and gone back to Lo salt which I shall gradually reduce.
Hope you find a solution, 123gran.

MB

I think it is very difficult to do it without medication. I have been taking pills for about 25 years. I keep an eye on my pressure myself as well as going to the GP. Some meds can do things such as give you an irritating cough and amlodopine often causes swollen ankles. I have a mixture of pills which I take. The GP told me to take my blood pressure first thing in the morning before taking any meds. This will tell you if the pills you are taking are doing the job 24 hours. Mine was high first thing so I take one of the pills in the evening and it has cured the problem.

Sometimes it's impossible to find a natural way to lower BP. I too have eaten beetroot, garlic, bananas, mango etc. - all to no avail. Even when I moved abroad and ate a different (Mediterranean) diet, nothing changed it.
It's baffling, I've been on medication 35 years now so just have to accept it is what it is.

breathing exercises help,you can buy a very expensive gadget that plays soothing music and talks you through the breathing but its just as easy to get the exercises online ...for free or try some guided meditation

123gran the machine is called Resperate

Lose weight and exercise daily, puffing and panting.

The BP medication that I take causes dehydration, and I've started to get swollen prickly feet at night. I should be drinking more water (instead of coffee)
I've got a routine appt with the cardiologist soon and will ask him about it - can't risk going drug-free.
Already changed once from the one that causes a cough. I suppose it's a question of balance.

Blood pressure medication despite unwanted side effects can be a lifesaver, literally, if lifestyle changes don't work. I would endorse daily meditation. My BP goes down after meditation sessions. If you don't have motivation to do alone, there are various groups/classes you can join.

I haven't found any drug free cure other that loosing weight. Since losing 3 1/2 st. I have gone from taking 3 tablets down to 1. I hope to cut that one out soon too. I do realise though that not everybody who has high BP is overweight.

ginny can I just ask how did you GP reduce your medication? I mean what criteria did they use to tell you to stop taking some of your meds was your BP too low once you lost the weight?

I have come off BP medication completely after losing three stone (now size 10 BMI 21). My doctor took me off it slowly over a year and I have now been off it over a year, BP averages 115/70.

tanith before I stopped I had started feeling faint and dizzy when I bent over (especially gardening). I was on a two element medication so she cut out one element, then halved the remaining element, then cut it out completely. The dizziness went fairly quickly and I feel great.

Thanks Mamie that is what I wanted to know, as I am losing some weight to bring my blood sugar and BP down and was wondering how they reduce the meds.. my GP said I was on them for life which sounded rather permanent to me. I hope I have such good results as you when I've lost a stone or two.

Yes, tanith the Doctor gradually reduced my tablets. My BP was getting lower and as I have a machine at home I had to keep an eye on it and report back to him every few weeks. I have a review next month so hoping I can try without the last one.

Not ideal, fall over, break a hip, spend 9 days in hospital and come home with a note for the doctor to stop blood pressure medication. I bought a home monitor, and thought my blood pressure was higher than it should be, but evidently as one grows older higher blood pressure readings are acceptable. Going to have another bp test on Tuesday, hope all is well. At the moment sinvastatin(?) is my only vice.

great one MawBroon ?

DH didn't want to take the bp tablets prescribed and has been taking magnesium (with calcium) and his blood pressure has come down more than it did on the prescribed tablets.

I went on the LCHF diet last year to Reverse my diabetes. That was successful. The added bonus has been lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Not of medication for it yet, but who knows.

I agree BBevan. LCHF diet's the way to go for losing weight, and this has added benefits of lowering cholesterol and BP in many people.

What's the LCHF diet, please?

Have a look here NotTooOld. If you follow the Diet Doctor link at the top you will get a good explanation.
www.gransnet.com/forums/dieting_and_exercise/1228651-Low-carb-support-thread-2016-Part-2