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Blood Pressure

(42 Posts)
PinkCakes Sun 23-Aug-20 13:40:06

I went for a routine health check at the doctor's a couple of months ago, and my BP was high (169/90). I was told to monitor it myself at home for a week, and take the readings in. It averaged out at 146/78, which the GP said was high. She asked me if I'd like to start on medication. I said no, thanks grin.

Do any of you have high BP but not take tablets?

My neighbour (67, slim, very active) is on 2 types of BP pills but hers is still 178/102!

Jane10 Sun 23-Aug-20 13:51:03

I averaged out at 146/78 and the Dr said no meds required. I do fluctuate horribly though. After my week I casually took BP (not worrying any more) and it was 111/70.

BlueSky Sun 23-Aug-20 14:11:53

I get your figures with two types of BP meds plus a water tablet!

25Avalon Sun 23-Aug-20 14:16:06

Either take the medication or if you really don’t want to take meds improve your health style including diet and exercise. Then take your blood pressure again.

gillyknits Sun 23-Aug-20 14:18:21

I went to the hospital for a routine appointment last week and they took my blood pressure . It was 200/92. I haven’t ever had problems with it before. I’m sure it was the stress of actually setting foot in a hospital for the first time since lock down. Needless to say, my doctor now wants to have it repeated next week . I’m having it done in the car, in the car park. Just hope the stress doesn’t get to me there too. And “breathe!” ?

Ellianne Sun 23-Aug-20 14:21:18

Mine is like a yo yo, even with medication.
Yesterday v today.

Kate1949 Sun 23-Aug-20 14:21:29

Mine goes through the roof when it's taken, even when I do it myself. That machine scares me to death! Last year in the surgery it went up to 220/110. I take my meds and try to forget about it.

timetogo2016 Sun 23-Aug-20 14:24:06

Yes PinkCakes i have hb and i don`t take medication,that being said my GP didn`t offer any and it was very high,but he said it was down to stress.
Hope your not feeling ill with it.

BlueSky Sun 23-Aug-20 15:21:04

Same here Kate! I was even in hospital overnight with it. Now like you take the tablets and forget about it!

Kate1949 Sun 23-Aug-20 15:24:35

Oh no Bluesky not hospital. That's what scares me. I'm such a ninny.

Purpledaffodil Sun 23-Aug-20 15:32:06

I would caution against dismissing highBP as “white coat syndrome”. DH was told that by his GP a week before his first stroke. Stroke doctors ar hospital were not impressed!

BlueSky Sun 23-Aug-20 16:34:51

Kate by going to hospital overnight it meant I saw the consultant straight away who ordered various heart tests and put me on my current medication.

Illte Sun 23-Aug-20 16:44:59

Those at home monitors can give three very different readings in the space of 19 minutes. Usually going up and up!

When I was getting worried about a series of home readings my doctor arranged a 24 hr monitor for me.

It wasn't comfortable but it did show my blood pressure was only high when OH was being difficult ?

Kate1949 Sun 23-Aug-20 16:45:48

That's good then BlueSky. I've been on meds for 16 years. BP's always been OK except for last year when I was having terrible anxiety attacks. GP sent me for extensive blood tests and said everything was OK. It was the anxiety sending the BP up.

BlueSky Sun 23-Aug-20 16:50:35

That's good Kate we have been checked, we take our meds there's nothing more we can do! x

Kate1949 Sun 23-Aug-20 16:54:42

Exactly BlueSky . It's comforting to know I'm not alone!

Marydoll Sun 23-Aug-20 17:02:25

I'm on two types of medication, and still have very high BP It goes up and down like a yoyo.

BlueSky Sun 23-Aug-20 17:08:01

Marydoll my BP is still rather high when checked in the surgery. Luckily a 24hr monitor showed acceptable readings.

Marydoll Sun 23-Aug-20 17:17:18

Unfortunately, despite taking it twice a day for years, mine is rarely at an acceptable level. I have no issues doing it, to cause such consistently high readings. ?

grannysyb Sun 23-Aug-20 17:29:24

I'm on tablets for it, I would rather take them than have a stroke. Both my parents and my aunt had strokes and my father and aunt died from strokes. Hypertension is known as the silent killer.

PinkCakes Sun 23-Aug-20 17:57:09

timetogo2016 Thanks. No, I never feel unwell.

I really should lose some weight - although the GP said my cholesterol level is excellent, at 3.2. My blood sugars are normal. I'm not on any medication apart from an antidepressant.

I start diets, lose a stone, go back to my old ways (need to lose about 5st)

Kate1949 Sun 23-Aug-20 18:09:36

I'm sure if your BP is consistently high you are I'm danger of a stroke or a heart attack. However, my brother-in-law and my neighbour both had strokes a couple of years ago. Both of them had normal BP. My brother-in-law was only 59. Thankfully he is OK now. My cholesterol was a bit high but has come down and I'm not overweight. We can only do our best. Also, when I originally went on BP meds all those years ago my BP was 208/110. I was panicking that I would have a stroke. GP said 'Well you might but it won't be because of your blood pressure'.

InnocentBystander Tue 25-Aug-20 15:12:30

Mine has been invoking the health Stasi now for decades. It hovers around the top end of 'normal' (140/90) but can be much higher if a medic takes it, or lower if I do it. It's usually high the first time I do it because I stress myself over it, but a 25h monitor got them off my back just like magic.

Jane10 Tue 25-Aug-20 17:23:32

I'd really like a 24 hour monitor. I worry about it so much but I'm sure the GP just thinks I'm neurotic.

NanKate Tue 25-Aug-20 20:37:25

I regularly take my BP at home. I take it 3 times with breaks in between then put it on average BP for the three. I type up the results and give it into the doctor every 6 months and they put it own my records. Works for me.