Blood pressure

Unfortunately, some posters are between a rock and a hard place. I would willingly do 10, 000 steps, but fifty yards and I have an angina attack and am in agony, due to my RA.

When I was working, I could easily do 15,000 steps a day, but was still on two BP medications. For some, there is no easy fix.

Walk and walk…Try and do your 10,000 steps daily….it works,
no more blood pressure medication.

If you use a BP monitor at home, it should be calibrated at the GP surgery, to ensure the readings are accurate.

I have done a bit of research and certain BP meds can cause insomnia of course, the well documented dry cough.

Hi , yes I use a bp monitor , omron I think the make is . I try to take a few consecutive readings at various times of day . I’ve been doing this for a couple of weeks now in response to a text from the drs .
Not sure where I heard about insomnia side effects but I definitely did .
Also weight gain . My brother who I almost never see has been on bp meds for some time and he has gained a lot of weight. My sister in law says he eats very little and has gained weight since the meds.
Thanks for advice re position of arm when taking a reading .
Also the various food options suggested.

I have 'white coat syndrome' and frighten all medical staff but my BP is excellent when taken at home.

I am just wondering if Chrysanth sits down for at least five minutes before taking her BP? Does she use a monitor with an arm cuff and a lead? Does she support her arm to the level of her heart and ensure that her palm is uppermost and that the lead is straight?

All of the above can interfere with an accurate reading!

Many wrist monitors can be very misleading with their results.

A doctor will look at other risk factors in addition to blood pressure.

Sanjay Gupta has an interesting video about this:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXE3SO05hxw&t=1s

queenofsaanich69

Try eating beetroot,kiwi and apricots & drink hibiscus tea,all work really well one side effect of BP pills is Gout.

Which BP pill can cause gout?

Mr C was advised to lower BP before cardiac surgery. He has had no side effects from medication (amlodipine) which he accepted with considerable reluctance and much grumbling. His BP is now down below the level advised by the consultant anaesthetist. Its has just taken three weeks.

The less positive thing is the surgeon insists on a daily aspirin, Mr C now bruises very easily. The GP says as the surgeon wants him to take aspirin then he must. We just hope the surgery date isn't postponed again!

We're both pretty positive about the BP medication, I'd certainly have no qualms about accepting it should it be necessary. As for insomnia, Mr C sleeps without problem.

My advice is to see your GP and discuss blood pressure reduction drugs too as well as the natural methods.

Even if your blood pressure only goes up sometimes it is still dangerous. My mother refused to take any medication, relying on garlic capsules and she ended up with a series of strokes. There are lots of drugs out there, there must be something to suit you. I have taken Olmesartan, Bendroflumethiazide and Amlodipine for years with no side effects at all. It's really not worth gambling with your health.

Greciangirl

Why is everyone worried about side effects from bp medication.
I’ve been on it for years and don’t think I have any side effects.

And why does the OP seem to think they cause insomnia.
Never heard that one before.

Any meds can cause side effects - the first BP tablet I was put on made my lower legs swell really badly so I was told to stop taking it immediately. Losartan however has been absolutely fine, there are a number of different types of BP medication so most people should be able to find one that suits them. I've never heard of the insomnia thing either.

Franbern

I find it very concerning to read about people who think they can treat this highly dangerous condition with things like beetroot or cayenne, or whatever. FOr the persson taking low dose sprian, hope thi is under GP's knowledge and advice. Even low dose can be dangerous if not properly monitored and actually required.

Yes, lifestyle (diet and exercise can help), but BP should be regularly properly monitored.

When mine was first picked up I was eating a very healthy, diet and as I ran a children's gymnastic club, and most days taking three of four warm-ups (involving me doing much of those exercises).

Please, please anyone who has high BP, do see y GP and get medication that does NOT give you any side effecgts, but which can save your life.

Well said - when I was first diagnosed with high blood pressure I had just lost 50 pounds, was getting more exercise and had cut down on alcohol. Mine appears to be a case of family history - both my parents and my younger sister are on blood pressure meds, although apparently it can also just materialise from middle age onwards. I echo your plea to see a GP - they will be able to ascertain whether medication is necessary or not, usually after a 24 hour period of BP monitoring.

My doctor advised when doing blood pressure readings to do three of them - a couple of minutes apart, and then use whichever is the lowest of the three. The lower number is the most important one and yours does not seem too bad. The higher number is the one that fluctuates the most. I take Losartan for my blood pressure and have zero side effects from it. Mine hit 220/120 last year and I wound up in A&E - I felt so ill I thought I was having a heart attack! An increase in my blood pressure meds did the trick and I am now down to an average of 125/85, which my doctor is happy with as its almost within the normal range. Blood pressure higher than 120/80 is considered to be hypertension, so you may wish to consult your doctor - they will not automatically put you on medication, I tried some lifestyle changes first but they made zero difference. There is family history - both my mother and sister have been on blood pressure meds for a long time.

Why is everyone worried about side effects from bp medication.
I’ve been on it for years and don’t think I have any side effects.

And why does the OP seem to think they cause insomnia.
Never heard that one before.

Try eating beetroot,kiwi and apricots & drink hibiscus tea,all work really well one side effect of BP pills is Gout.

Avoid processed foods, fizzy drinks and too much salt and sugar. Walk every day doesn’t matter how far as long as you do it and don’t swear the small stuff. Learn to say no sometimes. However if it’s heredity it’s going to be harder and some people will always have a naturally higher blood pressure anyway.

Just wondering how common it is to have a bp of 120/80 in middle age onwards without medication??

In my nursing training in the 1980’s I remember we were told 120/80 is normal, but that by middle age it is 100 plus your age over 90. ( so for me it would be 160/90). I know the guidelines have changed. They used to always say the lower number was the most important as the upper one could be swayed by emotion/nerves etc. But I know this has changed too and now they seem more interested in the higher systolic number.

Personally. I don't think that the blood pressure you have quoted is too much to worry about. The worrying will only make it go higher!

Gwyllt

Do you take your blood pressure more than once. I find the first reading is always higher than subsequent readings. My heart surgeon says this is normal and to ignore the first reading

Yes indeed - the instruction I have from my GP is to take at least 3 readings each time (and more if the readings are still dropping) and to submit the lowest reading. I’m also one of those who gets white coat syndrome, even scaring myself when I take my blood pressure. The first reading could be around 148/150 but rapidly drops with the third reading usually being around 118.

Interesting thread. I have taken BP meds for longer than i can remember. Some do have awful side effects. I take 100 mg of Losartan and 5 mg of Bisoprolol in the morning plus Eplerenone at night. My BP is quite static. When you take your BP
do it 3 times as i was told by my Cardio that you get s more accurate figure that way ) maybe because of white coat syndrome). As i am not in UK now i have no idea if you can see a doctor easily but given the importance that reasonable BP
Is to your health, some posts clearly indicate that some meds cannot be tolerated and need to be changed. Good luck everyone! Getting older is not a walk in the park.

Do you take your blood pressure more than once. I find the first reading is always higher than subsequent readings. My heart surgeon says this is normal and to ignore the first reading

www.youtube.com/@YorkCardiology

Thought I'd share this consultant with you.

Franbern

I find it very concerning to read about people who think they can treat this highly dangerous condition with things like beetroot or cayenne, or whatever. FOr the persson taking low dose sprian, hope thi is under GP's knowledge and advice. Even low dose can be dangerous if not properly monitored and actually required.

Yes, lifestyle (diet and exercise can help), but BP should be regularly properly monitored.

When mine was first picked up I was eating a very healthy, diet and as I ran a children's gymnastic club, and most days taking three of four warm-ups (involving me doing much of those exercises).

Please, please anyone who has high BP, do see y GP and get medication that does NOT give you any side effecgts, but which can save your life.

Hear, hear Franbern.
I used to take a low dose gastric protected aspirin daily when I smoked, it caused a bleeding stomach ulcer and anaemia. Soon sorted, but could’ve been avoided.

Thanks for all the input to my thread ! I had a low reading last night - 120/79 - at bedtime but being honest it seems it’s mainly 150/90 or thereabouts . About 10-12 years ago my bp and cholesterol and weight had increased. I solved it that time by losing weight but I was about two stone overweight then . I’d love to avoid medication but accept it may not be possible this time around

I agree with you about the aspirin, Franbern. After two hearts attacks, I was on low dose aspirin for six weeks each time and then advised to stop. I was covered in bruises each time. It is not wise to take it without GP or hospital supervision. Much better to be on an approved blood thinner.

Marydoll

LJP1

A hot bath will help drop your blood pressure and clear the smaller blood vessels of waste molecules. A shower won't work for your feet as your leg muscles are tensed to support you.

I sit in the shower to spray my ankles, I can assure it helps.

OOps, sorry wrong thread!

I meant to post on the one about swollen ankles.