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Blood pressure

(106 Posts)
Chrysanth Sun 18-Jun-23 15:51:14

I’ve been trying to manage my blood pressure for a few years . Recently it’s mostly 150/90 sometimes lower . I’d like to avoid medication mainly through fear of insomnia side effects . Occasionally it is 135/79 . Am 60 . Any advice?

Marydoll Wed 21-Jun-23 12:26:56

My GP is the opposite. He was very concerned yesterday, it was 167/90. I said that is actually quite good for me! I think consistent high readings are what causes concerns.
The fact that I am on all sorts of heart meds, may lessen the risk.

I first realised I had high BP, when my school had a health day. My colleagues and I were messing about with a BP monitor. My friend's was 200 and I advised her to get to a GP ASAP. We then did mine, it was 210. Given where we worked, it was no surprise.
That was over thirty years ago.

growstuff Wed 21-Jun-23 12:48:31

Kate1949

Its strange Marydoll. When I was first diagnosed aged about 45, my BP was 208/110 as I said. GP didn't bat an eyelid. She said 'Yes it's high. Go home and relax and come back next week'. Relax?!!! I was terrified. I said 'Am I going to have a stroke?' She said 'You might. Anyone could, but it wont't be because of your BP'. hmm

Had that GP read any of the scientific literature?

Primrose53 Wed 21-Jun-23 14:38:31

Kate1949

Primrose I think maybe the more people who tell us they have had excessively high readings can make the rest of us feel better! Mine is only very high when I am anxious, which unfortunately is most of the time. Does your husband's high BP present any symptoms if you don't mind me asking?

It’s difficult to tell now because he has been on BP meds for decades. He had to see a nurse this morning and it was 189/90 which for him is very low! Of course she said it was very high. She hasn’t met him before.

He says he had no symptoms before he was told he had BP. He is not overweight, doesn’t smoke, barely drinks, eats a healthy diet, avoids salt and is the most laid back person you can imagine. I have a hissy fit if things go wrong but he just goes with the flow.

Kate1949 Wed 21-Jun-23 15:14:52

Yhank you Primrose. Thats a dilemma isn't it? Your husband sounds like mine. He had prostate cancer, type 2 diabetes, low vit 12 and now macular degeneration. Never a peep of complaint from him. He just gets on with it. I am one of life's panickers.

Primrose53 Wed 21-Jun-23 15:49:35

Kate1949

Yhank you Primrose. Thats a dilemma isn't it? Your husband sounds like mine. He had prostate cancer, type 2 diabetes, low vit 12 and now macular degeneration. Never a peep of complaint from him. He just gets on with it. I am one of life's panickers.

I do not really panic or worry much but I do get mad when things don’t go right or if someone pulls out in front of me in a car whereas hubby will just say “he must be in a hurry”. I swear when I get mad …. He never does!

His latest blood tests now say he is borderline for prediabetes but they’ve said that before and something up with his electrolytes.