High BP-just been diagnosed. Advice please?

Soz inclined not included

Both my mother and I had/have HBP and diagnosed at similar ages in our 40’s.

We both had/have various meds.

I have never smoked and barely drink alcohol BUT I am overweight and now due to other conditions and constant pain, so exercise anywhere near enough.

I have regular check ups, try to exercise more within the home and ensure I take my meds.

I’d be included to follow my GPs advice and we have a hypertension clinic too.

My husband's BP is usually very good, even a little on the low side. He went for a medical today and it was 192/102. The doc said it was because he was anxious. He hasn't got an anxious bone in his body.

I’ve had it since early 20’s now 62 began with pregnancy and I can weigh 8 stone as I did at time and heavest ever 12 stone and it’s never changed so as long as I eat healthy lm happy

Right. In cooking. Maybe you're just lucky with your genes rather than the food you consume? Sadly, I know several keen olive oil fans who haven't been as lucky.

I fry with it, use olive oil margarine and use it in salad dressings. It has gone up in price a bit lately . Aldi here has a garlic flavoured one which I like for cooking meat. I believe the extra virgin olive oil is the best.

How do you take olive oil? Neat from a spoon or just in food?

I swear by olive oil. I have high cholesterol if I don’t take statins and my doc is amazed that my BP is low. I think there is now some research supporting this. Might be worth checking out.

After coming and going on various different meds and doses I'm back on 5mg Amlodipine again. No side effects and average BP 136/82. GP happy with that. I get scared because I get one off high readings but also occasional very low ones. I guess my blood vessels are just confused.

My professor cardiologist put me back on Amlodipine on top of everything else.
I'm sure I can trust him! 😉

We are all different.

annodomini watch your ankles and legs don't swell even a low dose of Amlodipine can cause them to. I was put on them few years ago along with the Ramipril I have been taken lot longer. When I went into atrial fibrillation and attended the AF clinic first thing they did was take me off Amlodipine because of my ankles and legs where swollen. Was told by the nurse she wished doctors would stop giving people them.especially with heart problems. No saying you have heart problems but just keep an eye on your ankles and legs. Within 3 weeks my legs and ankles went down and I good wear ankle boots. I have Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and was born with a small hole in the side of my heart only found that out in 2020. I will be 66 next month.

My systolic reading has, for many years, been higher than 'normal' but the diastolic always 'normal'. My GP wasn't too worried about these readings but nevertheless put me on a low dose of Amlodipine. I don't think that has made any appreciable difference, but keep on taking it, 'just in case'. 'Normal' for older people seems to be higher than for a younger age group. I've reached 83 despite being 'abnormal'. Long may it last!

Cutting down on sodium is always the advice and for years I never used salt. However, having had a seizure and a week in intensive care due to low sodium I now-scrutinise my blood test results and purposefully add salt to my diet. It’s something to be aware of especially after operations when the sodium level usually goes down.and it is only too easy to drink too much water. I read my blood tests on the NHSapp and no longer rely on a receptionist telling me it’s okay as the doctor hasn’t high lighted anything. .

I'm glad you've got one of the top guys looking after you Marydoll. As the OP says, stressing about things can make the bp increase, so you can hand that worry over to the consultant.
I've just got back from a 45 minute dog walk run and my BP is now 50 lower on the top figure and 30 lower on the bottom than the one in the photo. I've been accused of sending the BP machine crazy at the doctor's before now, and sometimes the cuff flies off!
Apparently, if you BP goes up and down that is not as dangerous as if it stays consistently high all the time. I'll take that!
Have a relaxing day!

If I hadn't been told I had high BP, I would never have known! It doesn't make me ill.
I did have two heart attacks, that's when the problem with the micro vessels was found. It appears that my chest pain, which my clinicians thought was my COPD was actually caused by this. It had been undiagnosed for years.
It is only recently that cardiologists realised many women in Scotland were dying from this undiagnosed condition. It used to be called Cardiac syndrome X.
I am so fortunate, I was asked if I would like to be part of a research programme to find out more about this. My cardiologist is the professor in charge, so I have hit the jackpot!!

Marydoll

I have had extremely high BP for years and on lots of meds.
Recently it has become very unstable and can shoot up for no reason. It happened last year when I was in the cardiology ward, but nothing workedand my clinicians were stumped..

Apparently it is due to familial propensity and a problem with the micro vessels inside my heart, caused by RA.
I already have a healthy diet, rarely drink alcohol and have low cholesterol.
Sometimes it is very difficult to control. At the moment I have to take my BP four times a day. The results are quite crazy!

Bang on, Marydoll, and I really feel for you. There is absolutely nothing anyone can do if those vessels, (the small ones I think), are up the spout. I do dance, walk miles, swim, eat healthily, don't smoke, take bp medication, am not overweight BUT still my bp is bonkers. It is very labile, one minute up in the gods, the next quite respectable. Its just how I'm made, and I've been like it for 40+ years. I'm sorry you are unwell with yours Marydoll, I seem to function as normal.
So, Skydancer try not to worry too much. I guess if yours has had a sudden increase, which is unlike you normally, then you need to follow your doctor's advice.
Photo yesterday, eek.

My blood pressure has been elevated for some time .
I'm trying to get my weight down and I think that yoga is helping me to get mobile and to relax .
I dislike salty foods anyway .
And I can't tolerate coffee .
If your doctor has recommended medication you should take them .
Hopefully, you will be able to slowly get your BP down .
I also wish you
good luck .

I think in this day and age, anyone who doesn't have high blood pressure is lucky. Your GP will have told you how to live a better life and take care of yourself. I have been on tablets for many years albeit low dosage ones.

Knitandnatter

"About a quarter of the uk population have high blood pressure.
My partner has had it all his adult life.
Nothing to worry about........"
Petra, high blood pressure is most certainly something to be concerned about, it can lead to a stroke or heart attack.

That is what I am concerned about, about a friend.

I dont want to write too many details here.
She has already had one major health event. And now is being warned about another.

I was going to start a different thread, and will if my question is not appropriate here.

In her case, part of her problem is, she refuses to slow down in life.
Obvs no one can make her.
But I have been wondering why people would do that?

As I say, I can start a thread, if the question will derail this one.

I have had extremely high BP for years and on lots of meds.
Recently it has become very unstable and can shoot up for no reason. It happened last year when I was in the cardiology ward, but nothing workedand my clinicians were stumped..

Apparently it is due to familial propensity and a problem with the micro vessels inside my heart, caused by RA.
I already have a healthy diet, rarely drink alcohol and have low cholesterol.
Sometimes it is very difficult to control. At the moment I have to take my BP four times a day. The results are quite crazy!

I would watch what I was eating and drinking and do some gentle exercise, even a regular walk. Mindfulness/mediation has been found to help lower blood pressure. If you can’t get along with that, even just time out to relax whenever you can, will help.

Useful info here -

www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/risk-factors/high-blood-pressure#treatment

I have (had) high BP - now on 3 meds which control it. I lost weight (a stone), exercised more, cut out salt and started drinking low alcohol beer and wine. BP was still high - consultant said it was hereditary.

Exercise helps a lot, gym, yoga, pilates, loose weight if you are overwieght and follow doctors advice.

Reduce salt.

I would try and cut down on salt if you have any. Excercise might help if you can manage it. Good luck