My blood pressure is 152/94 and I don't know what to do

My beloved dad had high BP. In those days (the late 1960s) it wasn't as manageable as it is now, and it was definitely a contributory factor to his death at the age of 61.
I was diagnosed with it a few years ago when I started waking with headaches most mornings. I tried without medication, but nothing worked - sometimes genetics just take charge, I guess - so for the last four or five years I've had one Amlodipine tablet every day. My BP readings are now lower, and I have no adverse conditions or reactions arising from the tablets. I have an annual review with my GP and have to submit a week's worth of BP readings beforehand. It's well worth it

My husband has had very high blood pressure most of his adult life. He doesn’t smoke, rarely drinks, eats a healthy diet, is very laid back and is not overweight. He has been on BP meds for decades and they just keep increasing. He is currently on 8 tablets in the morning and 4 at night.

After getting nowhere with the NHS we paid to see a private Consultant who said he had resistant high BP and there was nothing more he could suggest as he couldn’t change any of the 5 things mentioned above.

His high BP caused his major stroke 20 months ago despite taking all that medication. A second stroke a couple of months ago was very likely caused by that too.

SallyL2

Thank you Retread. That is really reassuring to hear about your husband. Honestly it is what I keep telling myself, that lots of people are fine on it. Can I ask if he ever tried anything before starting the tablets? My mum went straight onto them and I have always wondered if there was a stage where a natural route could have worked for her.

No Sally he didn't ever check his BP. And because he survived a heart attack, he was willing to do whatever the doctors told him to do. He has annual medication reviews.

Like others on here have said, he never gives it a second thought after all this time.

Yes, I had very high BP during my first pregnancy.
They used to threaten to take me in for bed rest, which of course made it go even higher.
No medication was prescribed.

DH has had quite high blood pressure a number of times and has had to keep a record of daily blood pressure readings. On his most recent bout, a GP that he hasn't seen before gave him some breathing techniques to help reduce his blood pressure which worked as evidenced by bus daily readings which reduced day by day. He used what was called 478 breathing. There's a link below with info on how to do this and other breathing techniques.

www.verywellhealth.com/breathing-exercises-to-lower-blood-pressure-8747448

I've been on BP pills since my twenties, HBP was discovered during my first pregnancy. I don't feel I've lost any of my vitality. After 40+ years I just take the meds without even thinking about them.
Try not to be scared or angry because that will only make it worse.

"I was older than you."

Than the OP. 🙂

MayBee70

It isn’t white coat syndrome is it? Do they only monitor your b/p at the surgery?

That can happen.

I have taken blood pressure tablets for a few years since it went sky high once when I was in hospital; perhaps the thought of the procedure sent it up. I was older than you.

The first tablet didn't suit me as it resulted in swollen ankles so the GP changed it. I don't think I'm a shell of my former self; perhaps your Mum needs a review of her medication, SallyL2.

Magnesium may help but be advised by the medical professionals.

SallyL2- I’ve been on BP Tablets for the past 15years - Amlodipine 5mg daily. No probs at all.
You will need to have a chat with your Doctor if you can try a holistic approach to lowering your BP.
I have just been told that my sugar level is slightly above normal - they call that pre-diabetic. So I have given up sugar in coffee, cakes, white bread etc and I shall see how that goes.

Hi. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure at 50 I was so shocked, we’d just moved house so I put it down to stress. I tried everything like you, also lost weight and walked miles, unfortunately it didn’t make any difference.
I agreed to start medication aged 55 Loesartan 50mg, I’m 69 now still on the same tablets, bp under control and no side effects. Try not to worry.

I've been on blood pressure tablets for about 25 years and never really given them a thought. The only effect they've had on me is lowering my blood pressure.

Thank you Retread. That is really reassuring to hear about your husband. Honestly it is what I keep telling myself, that lots of people are fine on it. Can I ask if he ever tried anything before starting the tablets? My mum went straight onto them and I have always wondered if there was a stage where a natural route could have worked for her.

Eating spinach, bananas and sweet potato eliminates salt from the body, as they are high in potassium.
The bit we don't like to hear is cut out alcohol.

It isn’t white coat syndrome is it? Do they only monitor your b/p at the surgery?

You could get a blood pressure monitor to use at home and see what sort of readings you get away from the surgery in case you suffer from 'white coat syndrome'.

Hi Sally I'm sorry this is so upsetting for you. All I know is that my husband has been on blood pressure medication for almost 20 years without any negative effects. He was put on the medication after he had a heart attack when he was in his 50s and follows doctors orders. He is fit and well and active.

I hope it all works out for you.

A friend in her 40's had HBP. Not sure if it runs in families. I'm sure someone on here might know. In her case she was overweight so she knew she had to work on losing weight. Sounds like you are starting to do the right things with salt and exercise.If you can find a way to de-stress I hear that helps. I understand not wanting tablets but if you need to be on them it is important to get the BP down. Keep going with what you are doing as it will help. It's always a shock to hear anything about our health so I wish you well with getting it under control.