Blood pressure & Nhs health check

I did reduce my BP levels through diet and exercise, enough to reduce my medication to a very small dose of diuretic. I was also a bit shocked and dismayed to find that mine was high.

Hibiscus tea can help, reducing sodium, and boosting fibre. By all means learn about the DASH diet.

Silvershadow

Oh I’m not worried about taking medication. I just haven’t yet been prescribed anything yet. I think I’m just anxious about it all. Worrying I might keel over I suppose. I wasn’t expecting it at all.

It’s very unlikely you’ll keel over in the next two weeks, Silver.
You’d be in hospital now if it was that bad!

Silvershadow

I’m 70 and, currently, not taking any medication at all apart from inhalers. So, I suppose I’ve had a good run. I’ll take whatever I’m prescribed. Thanks for the responses it’s been helpful. I’ll let you know what happens.

If you are going abroad make you you declare it on your travel insurance

I have recently been diagnosed with high BP. I reacted to the medication when they changed the dose and it caused cellulitis in my feet. Very swollen and painful. Could not get shoes or socks on for over three weeks. I am still having to test it to see if the readings have improved.

I’m 70 and, currently, not taking any medication at all apart from inhalers. So, I suppose I’ve had a good run. I’ll take whatever I’m prescribed. Thanks for the responses it’s been helpful. I’ll let you know what happens.

I don’t know your age Silvershadow but it is always a good time to improve your diet, while still accepting that you will probably need BP meds if your readings are high over the course of you recording them for your GP.
Anxiety kicked in with me too when I first learned mine was high but it was soon lowered to an acceptable ‘normal’ with taking prescribed tablets (they may be for life).
You will see from the responses on this thread you are not alone. 💐

Yes that’s exactly it. It’s what’s going on inside me that is worrying me.

That’s how I feel about my cholesterol. Thought I was reasonably healthy for my age so it came as a bit of a shock and now I keep thinking about what’s kicking off in my arteries .

Oh I’m not worried about taking medication. I just haven’t yet been prescribed anything yet. I think I’m just anxious about it all. Worrying I might keel over I suppose. I wasn’t expecting it at all.

Please don't panic. I understand the general principal of not taking medication but lots of people of our age take BP meds with no problems at all.

Yes as yet I’ve not been prescribed medication. I’m wearing this monitor today and have to return it tomorrow. Then I will find out. I’m due to see the GP in two weeks. I’m worried as I’m going away this week and afraid something will happen. I’ve already stopped certain foods and drinks. Just have one coffee a day now, no crisps, chocolate or biscuits. I’m hoping this will help. I have to face the fact that my diet could be better.

I just looked up the DASH diet. It’s just eating well really.

See what the days readings are. After having mine taken at a health check I was put on a 24hr monitor. Mine were acceptable most of the time with two peaks - once when I was in the surgery having it put on and the other when I was in the surgery having it took off😬

Having said that it was the high side of normal so I lost the extra pounds I knew I was carrying - the blood pressure gave me the incentive.

I didn’t use a special diet though.

Silvershadow, certainly it is a good idea to look at your weight and lifestyle when diagnosed with high BP, but, if you are prescribed medication, please take it.
Very high BP can make one susceptible to strokes, with potentially life- changing results

I have a friend who had a b/p check at a chemist and before she knew it was in hospital being sorted out. Last time I heard from her she’d lost loads of weight and was no longer on all the medication. My advice would be to take whatever medication your doctor advises but have a good look at your diet and make a few adjustments. I’m saying this as someone that is currently refusing statins but if it was my b/p I’d have a different mindset. Good luck.