High Blood Pressure - Any Advice?

[Planogirl]

I developed HBP when I was around your age and I was in no way overweight. They ran every test they could think of on me and couldn't find a thing so I was one of there where "it just happens". It does run in my family though but I was unusually young.

Strangely enough, when I was pregnant my blood pressure normalized and it shot back up once DS was born. I never could get an explanation for this.

Really, unless they find some underlying cause pretty much all you can do is take medication and watch your diet. Exercise helps too. If you get a medication that causes a tickle in your throat there are alternatives. My doctor had to battle my insurance company because I have that problem and would cough like a maniac almost constantly when I took the drug the insurance company wanted me to take. The insurance finally gave in luckily.

 

[pumba]

I am not your typical high bp .....high cholesterol and diabetic person either...I am on target with my weight and I am careful eating....so what was my cause....like your doctor said....some get it and some dont......Genetics play a role in some of our problems

 

[irisbud]

My BF went in for a test of some sort this spring, and his BP was so high, his Dr sent him to the ER. I was so angry, because they didn't really do anything for him there. When we arrived his BP was 240/140. They released him when it was 220/140. They didn't even give him a perscription, just a name of a cardiologist he should contact!

Anyway, now his BP is around normal now (usually around 120/80) but it shoots up if he forgets any of his four pills. He has to check his BP everyday, twice a day. The Dr. told him that diet and excercise wouldn't help. I told him to get a second opinion, but he liked that one .

Good Luck.

 

[lila]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. They are all really helpful. Planogirl - that is so wierd about your pregnancy! I have heard of lots of people having the opposite experience, of course.

 

[minkydog]

It's true that diet and exercise will only go so far with hypertension. And you don't have to be overweight either. Sometimes for no reason you just get it.That's why we have medications.

But diet and exercise are important. I can't stress enough the importance of lowering your salt intake. Sodium causes your body to hold onto extra fluid, which puts a load on your heart and kidneys. If you are taking BP medicine, you should be limiting your sodium intake to about 2000mg a day. It's not enough to just not add salt to your food. Keep a record of the sodium content of your food. You may be shocked at how much sodium you are taking in by accident, especially in canned, boxed, or prepared foods.

 

[jaycat]

Just a thought, could it be you are stressing yourself out over this, or anything really, causing your high BP. Or maybe you need to change you diet, is it possible you are not getting something you need?

Hope you get well soon​

 

[crz4mm2]

Take the meds. I thought mine was white coat syndrome too.....
I was pre eclamptic with my first pregnancy. Sailed right through the 2nd pregnancy. It would be interesting if they would study women who have hypertension during pregnancy and if they develop it later in life.

 

[goofy4tink]

I always had borderline low blood pressure. During all of my pregnancies, my bp would go to the 'normal' range for bp. Well.....my last pregnancy, at age 43, my bp was fine, until the very end. Then it shot up to the dangerous levels...so they induced me. My bp never went down again. I was going through menopause at the exact same time, so I'm sure that had something to do with it. I've been on bp drugs since then. I did add a diuretic a few years ago. This one has potassium added to it. That has really helped. Now, at 57, I should be walking more. I'm sure that my weight being lower would be a good thing. Having about 10 lbs extra, plus the added stress of an almost 13 y/o dd, well......I guess it's time to hit the road!!!

 

[disneyred]

Take the meds. I thought mine was white coat syndrome too.....
I was pre eclamptic with my first pregnancy. Sailed right through the 2nd pregnancy. It would be interesting if they would study women who have hypertension during pregnancy and if they develop it later in life.

what is white coat syndrome that several people have mentioned on this thread ??

 

[onyx8]

what is white coat syndrome that several people have mentioned on this thread ??

"White coat syndrome" is when your BP is high only while you are at the doctor's office, due to being stressed about the appointment, or worried about the BP results. My DH suffers from white coat syndrome and has to monitor his BP at home.

 

[lila]

Just a thought, could it be you are stressing yourself out over this, or anything really, causing your high BP. Or maybe you need to change you diet, is it possible you are not getting something you need?

Personally, I think it's stress. I have a high stress job that I travel for frequently. My diet is pretty good, I think.

My doctor does suspect white coat syndrome, but I always feel relaxed at the dr so I don't know. I am on a 24 blood pressure monitor right now, so we'll see what that reveals. I have no idea how I will sleep with this thing on tonight!

 

[disneyred]

A related question : is there a difference between the blood pressure monitors that take your reading from the arm (which is what I am used to seeing) v.s the ones which takes readings from your wrist ??

Can anyone recommend a good one...?? I have seen several at the drugstores which go for about 75 dollars ...

any pros / cons... any recommendations ?? on which one to get or are they all the same.

TIA

 

[kwdietrich1]

My Dad has high blood pressure. He hated his medications and always found one that either gave him a little tickle in his throat or made him tired etc. He would just stop taking them for a little while. He was non compliant with his meds. Long story short...........his uncontrolled hypertension led to kidney failure!!! He is now on dialysis. NOt overweight at all!! We just found out this had been going on for nearly 5 years before his primary doctor ran tests!! (his original kidney panel was elevated in 2000 and when repeated in 2005, he was very close to kidney failure).

I don't mean to scare you but PLEASE keep on top of it!! Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to kidney failure! I wish you the best of luck!!!

Has your doctor ran extensive tests yet?
Please heed this advice! My doc ignored all the warning signs for kidney failure. I was dx with hbp when I was 24. I was not overweight and I had a good diet. By the time complete bloodwork was run, it was too late. I was in renal failure. 1 year later I was on dialysis. 29 is young to have blood pressure issues with out a secondary underlining cause. Even if the blood work does not show an elevated creatinine or albumen level, please keep an eye on it. Ask your doc to do a 24hr creatinine test. This test will be more accurate than a blood test (at least that's what my transplant dr and nephologist told me)

Good luck, and I wish you the best!