High Blood Pressure - reducing using diet and exercise

Oreo

No amount of mindfulness or breathing or pilates or yoga will get your high blood pressure down it has to be medication not meditation. Well, you can meditate of course but it can’t replace the tablets.It’s not all down to carbs and exercise either.
My stick thin Mum has had high blood pressure for forty years and she’s as fit as a flea and eats very healthily.It’s kept in check by the tablets.

People are different.

There is some evidence that eating beetroot every day is beneficial for blood pressure. Shame I don’t like it!

People are not different where high blood pressure is concerned as they all need medication to really bring the levels down and keep them down.

Oreo

People are not different where high blood pressure is concerned as they all need medication to really bring the levels down and keep them down.

I don't.

15 years ago, my BP was typically 160/95. The highest it's been in the last three years is 120/80 and it hasn't been higher than 116/75 since I stopped taking medication six months ago.

My GP/hospital readings are online since 1992.

There’s always somebody on a forum who claims to have beaten an ailment by constant exercise/ living on a rabbit’s diet/not a sip of alcohol and so on.
We can all improve our diet somewhat and cut down on a alcohol intake a bit and walk a bit more not drive everywhere but GP’s say take the medication offered particularly if you’re older and at risk of heart failure or stroke.It’s what it’s been developed for.

Oreo

There’s always somebody on a forum who claims to have beaten an ailment by constant exercise/ living on a rabbit’s diet/not a sip of alcohol and so on.
We can all improve our diet somewhat and cut down on a alcohol intake a bit and walk a bit more not drive everywhere but GP’s say take the medication offered particularly if you’re older and at risk of heart failure or stroke.It’s what it’s been developed for.

Are you calling me a liar?

There are also GPs (and others) who will tell you that it's worth making lifestyle changes.

You really are the limit.

I've come to the conclusion that you know bog all about high BP or me.

Oreo

No amount of mindfulness or breathing or pilates or yoga will get your high blood pressure down it has to be medication not meditation. Well, you can meditate of course but it can’t replace the tablets.It’s not all down to carbs and exercise either.
My stick thin Mum has had high blood pressure for forty years and she’s as fit as a flea and eats very healthily.It’s kept in check by the tablets.

That isn’t the case Oreo.
www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/ask-the-experts/how-to-lower-blood-pressure#:~:text=Getting%20more%20physically%20active%20can,help%20increase%20your%20activity%20levels.
Obviously some people cannot have their high blood pressure controlled by diet and exercise alone, because of other medical issues, and medication is the only option for them, but some definitely can.

Now now growstuff
Most people cannot make such total lifestyle changes that will reverse high BP and nor would they want to.Small healthy changes, yes, along with the medication is the way to go.
I know about hypertension very well, you not so much, it’s a public forum where anyone can say anything.
The danger lies in making the OP or anyone else think they can achieve low BP by a spartan diet and mindfulness alone.
You are perhaps a rare exception.

Oreo, why on earth do you think that folks on here who say their BP has been brought under control by changing their lifestyles rather than with medication are lying? They are simply relating their own experience, which I agree might not work for everyone.

Certainly, after my TIA the drugs were assumed to be essential, but after I REALLY amended my lifestyle I was able to have the doses reduced. As a result, if my BP rises again, despite my changes, I have scope to have the drug dosage increased without having to take other drugs. I am not lying (I don't) and am not deluded - my GP agrees with me.

Tomorrow I have a phone appointment with my cardiologist (for another matter) so will ask about my apparent success with lifestyle changes.

I also have white coat syndrome...It's in my notes and I always tell them it will be quite a bit higher.. I was a nervous wreck on the 2 occasions I went but procedures went ahead. Take a couple of paracetamol before you go,I got that advice from a gp for something else, many years ago. Also speak to your GP. As I said before the prep is way worse...🤢🤮. Good luck

I wouldn’t say that anyone is lying, but the internet is awash with claims where people often say ‘ don’t take the tablets!’ It’s become a real danger that others can be swayed by.
Hypertension is a killer if not under control, it’s safer to take the medication offered by your GP and make what lifestyle changes you can.If the HB pressure readings aren’t too bad then yes it’s possible to keep them low by these lifestyle changes for some people.If the HB pressure readings are very high then take the tablets!

Not only does Mum have hypertension but I work in a care home and have to know something about it as it affects so many in our care.

I have recently been diagnosed with high blood pressure too,Dr suggested i go on tablets I really didn't want to go down that route however I realised I should to be on the safe side,I take 20mg of Lercanidipine once a day,I haven't had any side affect from them and my blood pressure has come down, I'm lucky also with my health I'm 69,try to relax, i understand the shock of being told you need to go on BP tablets I was too.

Many years ago I was referred to the local gym by my GP for a programme of exercise in the hope of losing weight and lowering my BP. After a ten week programme I was much fitter and my blood pressure had lowered but I didn't lose any weight. My trainer's comment - "Well 2 out of 3 aint bad!"

I've since been diagnosed as type 2 diabetic and with a combination of medication, diet and excercise have lost a lot of weight and my BP has come down a lot, though I'm still on the medication. I thought the BP medication might be reduced but it hasn't. I don't think there is much danger of your BP becoming too low but monitoring it can't do any harm and if you need medication your GP will make sure you are regularly checked.

Last time I was checked at the surgery I arrived late and jumped straight on the machine without my usual 5 minute sit down first. I expected the result to be a raised level but it was still OK so clearly I no longer have a problem.

PinkCosmos, I could write your posts myself.
I consider myself quite calm in most situations, but show me a blood pressure monitor, and my anxiety goes through the roof.
I fought medication for years, losing weight, changing my diet, but eventually had to give in, and to be honest, I haven’t had any side affects.
I have a monitor at home, but even taking it out of the cupboard completely freaks me out.
I know I’m not much help, but don’t stress too much about the meds

High BP is known as the 'hidden killer'. This is because people may have it and not know - no specific effects appear, Then it can suddenly cause stroke or even heart attack.
This is why GP's/nurses, etc always take everyone's BP no matter the reason the patient is attending.
I always felt pretty healthy - and after a very serious illness during my forties resulting in a major operation, was determined never to take loads of pills regularly.
In my sixties, I was went for a normal pre-op check at hospital where I worked for a minor operation. Everything went well until BP - frightingly high. They put me into a small room with a bed and told me to rest for half an hour, then came back and retook it - still very high.
Indeed, they would not let me leave until they actually heard me making an appointment with my GP about this
That appointment started me on BP tabs. Sadly, these actually caused me serious problems with a horrific cough and only after chest consultant at hospital ordered my GP to change this medication did it happen. Took about three months for the old medication completely to leave my system and it took a couple of years to find a combination of pills which really controlled my BP, and gave me no side-effects.

Twenty years later, with the occasional tablet tweak, I take these daily and they do such a good job that I no longer even have 'white coat syndrome'.

Yes, it is a very good idea to do some life-style changes, being overweight, bad diet, too much salt, not enough fluid, will effect your bp. However, unless you are only very slightly high, it is unlikely to bring it down enough to take away that 'hidden killer' concern. Along with medication it will.

When taking your own readings at home, do take three each time, with a few minutes gap between them. Usually they will drop with each reading. Many GP's ask for a weeks or a fortnights twice daily readings, so they have a good record in your files. Do remember NOT to do this shortly after having a meal. Just sit in a chair with your arm resting on a table , relax and starting the machine up. Upper arm machines are more accurate than the wrist ones and do ensure that the wire is placed correctly, The instructions for use are quite straight forward.

It can take a time to find the exact combinations of medications to suit you, so it would be a good idea to continue to take your own readings regularly so that you can keep your GP informed as to how things are going on.

I am nearly 84 now, pretty sure I would not have reached this age without BP medication.

Poppyann1

I have recently been diagnosed with high blood pressure too,Dr suggested i go on tablets I really didn't want to go down that route however I realised I should to be on the safe side,I take 20mg of Lercanidipine once a day,I haven't had any side affect from them and my blood pressure has come down, I'm lucky also with my health I'm 69,try to relax, i understand the shock of being told you need to go on BP tablets I was too.

Lercandipine are the ones that make my husband’s legs and feet nearly double in size. You are lucky you have no side effects.

My blood pressure became very high when I was pregnant with my first son and I had to be hospitalised for several weeks. For my second son my blood reassure went high again and never came down. I’ve been on blood pressure medication since I was 30 I am now 78. I take a low dose tablet once a day and it seems to keep it well controlled. I’ve been fat and thin but my blood pressure is the same. The doctor thinks it may be stress induced but the tablets keep it steady. Lose weight, exercise, do what you can but if your doctor recommends it take the tablets

For the life of me I just don’t understand why seeing a doctor causes people’s BP to rise. What is the point of getting stressed about it? It’s a painless procedure and you can do nothing about it at that stage anyway.

If you don't understand it and think it's "easy" and "no point to getting stressed" unfortunately you can't really help here Primrose as what you are doing is inadvertently blaming and ridiculing those of us who find this scenario very difficult and /or stressful.
We don't set out to get in a panic you know.

Lydie45

My blood pressure became very high when I was pregnant with my first son and I had to be hospitalised for several weeks. For my second son my blood reassure went high again and never came down. I’ve been on blood pressure medication since I was 30 I am now 78. I take a low dose tablet once a day and it seems to keep it well controlled. I’ve been fat and thin but my blood pressure is the same. The doctor thinks it may be stress induced but the tablets keep it steady. Lose weight, exercise, do what you can but if your doctor recommends it take the tablets

I certainly did take the recommended tablets and would never ever recommend anybody goes against qualified medical advice. Likewise, when the surgery pharmacist then the GP recommended I stop taking them and monitor the situation, that's what I did.

PS. However, apparently Oreo knows better than my pharmacist and GP, so maybe I should start taking medication again.

Oreo

I wouldn’t say that anyone is lying, but the internet is awash with claims where people often say ‘ don’t take the tablets!’ It’s become a real danger that others can be swayed by.
Hypertension is a killer if not under control, it’s safer to take the medication offered by your GP and make what lifestyle changes you can.If the HB pressure readings aren’t too bad then yes it’s possible to keep them low by these lifestyle changes for some people.If the HB pressure readings are very high then take the tablets!

But you DID accuse at least one person of lying!

There is a genetic component to hypertension you can do nothing about.
Measures such as weight loss, exercise, cutting out salt will help lower your BP but the vast majority need medication as well. The average life expectancy has increased over the years because we are fortunate enough to have the medications available.
White Coat hypertension shouldn't be ignored totally- your BP is probably going up in response to other stressor encountered in daily living.

Get on to a statin straight away they’re not nearly as bad as some say.
I had white coat syndrome and kept putting off taking a statin due to the negative comments I heard about them. Then I had a stroke, please consider taking a statin and if the first one doesn’t suit you can ask for a change, in the end it’ll be well worth it.

Good luck my friend