High blood pressure?

[leebee]

Calling all DIS-doctors! Actually, just wondering about anyone with experience with high BP. We have always had good blood pressures in my family, but my sis just had a check-up and her BP is 138/80. Her doc wants to start her on meds, but she is resistant, would rather try exercise (she is sedentary, most days) and better diet choices first. When reading online (hello, Dr. Google), her BP seems to be borderline, more pre-hypertensive than actual high blood pressure. However.. we have no experience with any of this, and the online resources we've seen seem conflicted, too. I guess I am just wondering, from those of you who have had BP issues: Would you start out on meds, or would you try some lifestyle changes, first? If you did choose meds, how were the side effects (her doc said she might be dizzy and tired). I know nobody (well, almost nobody) is an MD and we aren't going to take medical recommendations, just wonder about your experiences with all this.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I don't have high blood pressure, Lee, but Marie does. She takes meds, they make her quite tired.

Certainly not your sister's doctor here, but I would say her numbers are borderline, not high. I would say for her to get a good BP machine (Omron makes a great line of devices), make her lifestyle changes and monitor for a month or so. See where it goes. It certainly is not critical at this time.

My best for your sister.

 

[kdonnel]

I am lazy and will almost always choose the magic pill to solve my problem. I have also been lucky that I don't experience the common side effects for the various magic pills I have been prescribed.

Having said that, diet, exercise, and losing just 10 pounds can have a dramatic impact on many people's health.

I know that when I get my weight in the mid 180's, my blood pressure is much improved. In my case still not improved enough to be off the magic pill because I am also battling genetics.

I can also take my BP prior to a run and again after the run and there is a dramatic improvement in my BP post run. Consistent exercise can have a similar permanent impact.

I would think it would be worthwhile for your sister to continue to monitor her blood pressure with an at home meter before making a decision. My BP is 20 to 30 points higher at the doctor than at home. My doctor gave me a meter to take home with instructions to take my BP prior to taking my medication, towards the middle of the day, and prior to bed. My doctor then used those results to determine my dosage instead of the readings in the office. Your sister my suffer from white coat syndrome.

 

[Meriweather]

Found this.....I have been on blood pressure med for about 25 years.....no side effects from the pill. High blood pressure runs in my family. I believe DS has it also.

Normal:
Less than 120/80 mm Hg.


Elevated:

• • 120-129 systolic and less than 80 diastolic
    

• • High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) - Stage 1:

• • 130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic
    

• • High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) - Stage 2:
    

140 or higher systolic or 90 or higher diastolic


Hypertensive Crisis:

• • Higher than 180 systolic or higher than 120 diastolic
    

 

[ottawamom]

My experience, not advice. I tried lifestyle (excercise and diet) before my doctor put me on BP medications. It has been a wild ride getting used to them but I think I have a combination now that works for me (took almost a year). I also suffer from white coat syndrome so my BP is always higher at the doctors. The home BP machine finally confirmed that.

 

[squeezeplay101]

Calling all DIS-doctors! Actually, just wondering about anyone with experience with high BP. We have always had good blood pressures in my family, but my sis just had a check-up and her BP is 138/80. Her doc wants to start her on meds, but she is resistant, would rather try exercise (she is sedentary, most days) and better diet choices first. When reading online (hello, Dr. Google), her BP seems to be borderline, more pre-hypertensive than actual high blood pressure. However.. we have no experience with any of this, and the online resources we've seen seem conflicted, too. I guess I am just wondering, from those of you who have had BP issues: Would you start out on meds, or would you try some lifestyle changes, first? If you did choose meds, how were the side effects (her doc said she might be dizzy and tired). I know nobody (well, almost nobody) is an MD and we aren't going to take medical recommendations, just wonder about your experiences with all this.

I started taking BP meds when at the same BP as you mentioned. I also have always been good about exercise (diet is still hard for me though!). I haven't had any noticeable side-effects from the meds, except that I seem to get cold easier. If I ever get my BP down enough with diet and exercise changes, then I'll be able to get off meds.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Hard for me to say as it’s heredity on both sides of my family.
On this end have always endeavored to eat healthily and remain active.

Not a fan of meds but if a trusted doctor recommended it Id take them. It’s not unheard of to stop taking them later.
Thinking more on this I’d just take the meds and work on the other aspects later. They don’t call hypertension the silent killer for nothing.

May she be her best soonest

 

[Tuffcookie]

I was diagnosed with HBP back in 2017. It must have been going on for some time because it affected my kidneys. I am on medication for it. (Lisinopril, 30 ml) I have an Omron BP monitor to keep an eye on it. I try to increase my water intake and reduce sodium in my diet. I try to reduce stress so have to watch how much news I am watching! In addition, my PCP gave me a standing lab order to get a basic metabolic bloodwork done every month. My eGfr numbers have stabilized since my diagnosis.

 

[focusondisney]

Calling all DIS-doctors! Actually, just wondering about anyone with experience with high BP. We have always had good blood pressures in my family, but my sis just had a check-up and her BP is 138/80. Her doc wants to start her on meds, but she is resistant, would rather try exercise (she is sedentary, most days) and better diet choices first. When reading online (hello, Dr. Google), her BP seems to be borderline, more pre-hypertensive than actual high blood pressure. However.. we have no experience with any of this, and the online resources we've seen seem conflicted, too. I guess I am just wondering, from those of you who have had BP issues: Would you start out on meds, or would you try some lifestyle changes, first? If you did choose meds, how were the side effects (her doc said she might be dizzy and tired). I know nobody (well, almost nobody) is an MD and we aren't going to take medical recommendations, just wonder about your experiences with all this.

Guidelines have changed over the years & the recommended numbers are lower than they used to be. I’m a retired RN but a horrible patient. I ignored my high BP & routine checkups for too long & ended up with kidney damage as a result. I have been on BP meds for a few years now. The only side effect I routinely notice is increased leg/ feet swelling when we’re at WDW & some slight dizziness with a certain med. I did get used to it after awhile & don’t notice the dizziness anymore.

And even tho I’m an RN, I still get the White Coat Syndrome. My BP is always higher at the dr’s office, like @kdonnel usually at least 20 points higher there, no matter what I do. So I check my BP at home & bring those with me for my checkups. My kidney function & my blood work have improved. So that reinforces that my BP is controlled.

It’s interesting that the Dr is recommending meds with only 1 high reading. Is it possible she’s been borderline for awhile? Or her blood work is showing signs of kidney issues? If absolutely not, then sure, try diet & exercise. If she’s showing signs of organ damage from the BP, she might want to consider the medication more seriously.

 

[georgina]

Agree with get a monitor and start checking at home. Mine is always higher at doctors office, but I walk to the office. At home the recommendation I have been given is to sit calmly for 10 minutes, check 3 times a minute apart and average. Twice a day, morning and night. I am on one BP medication (generic norvasc), which works fine for controlling it.

 

[lovesmurfs]

I started BP meds quite a number of years ago. I take them at night so that the tiredness doesn't matter much.

 

[jimmymc]

There's no reason she can't try both and ween off the BP medicine later. Diet and exercise can definitely help and probably lower it into a good range, but those are bigger lifestyle changes than most people think.

 

[Judique]

Everyone's story is different with some common denominators. But hypertension and heart attacks and strokes are real. They run in my family history.

I've been taking Bp meds for almost 20 years. In that time frame the amount I have to take has dwindled to a minimum dose.

Blood pressure meds are one thing that I make sure I take and I monitor my pressure regularly. I am on 1/4 of the dose I started out on. Getting to that involved losing weight, getting exercise (still a work in progress) watching what I eat, and retiring from a stressful job!

It took some time to get the pill that was right for me. Lots of trial and error.

I also suffer from the white coat syndrome. My solution to that was to arrive early, take my pressure, sit in my car until close to appt time and then walk in. I would be as high as 150/? in those arrival minutes and drop to 130/? just by relaxing a bit. I've had many appts where my numbers were 120/80. Seems I tend to work myself up a bit just having to go for an appt.

@leebee Edit to actually answer your question. Knowing what I know now and have experienced, I'd definitely start on meds and work to lower them. Meds offer a road to protection from heart attack, stroke, etc as a person works to reduce weight and get exercise along with other necessary lifestyle changes. Doing nothing and then not following through with the lifestyle changes may lead to death from hypertension, heart attack, stroke. It's a serious consequence. I've experienced it with my previous partner at age 45. Seemed fairly healthy at the time, then poof, gone.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I started BP meds quite a number of years ago. I take them at night so that the tiredness doesn't matter much.

That’s when I take my medication too.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Not medical advice but Nurse Practitioner here, which in my state is very similar to a doctor. That’s a borderline reading and if I were her I’d lower sodium intake and focus on diet and lifestyle changes and keep a close eye on it. All medications have side effects and her readings aren’t astronomical. Keep in mind many doctors get incentives from pharmaceutical companies to prescribe certain meds so some of them are quick to jump to medication when it’s not strictly needed. Years ago, before the pharmaceutical industry was in control of our healthcare system like they are today, a normal systolic BP reading (top number) for older people was 100 plus their age. Most older people will have some degree of hypertension.

 

[disneychrista]

Looking into the DASH diet. It worked for me. Low Sodium, low sugar. High in whole grains, veggies and fruit.

 

[focusondisney]

Years ago, before the pharmaceutical industry was in control of our healthcare system like they are today, a normal systolic BP reading (top number) for older people was 100 plus their age.

And many older people had strokes, heart attacks & kidney failure requiring dialysis. Horrible comparison.

 

[neverlandsky]

The guidelines were changed from 140/90 to 130/80 in 2017. Took the holistic approach. Made some major lifestyle changes this year in nutrition & exercise. By doing so I reversed high blood pressure and insulin resistance in a short time span. Both which were triggered by extremely early menopause not eligible for HRT. Yay for being female.

Ditched alcohol, caffeine even chocolate, and seafood. Prone to anemia so red meat stays.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

And many older people had strokes, heart attacks & kidney failure requiring dialysis. Horrible comparison.

First of all it wasn’t a comparison, I didn’t compare it to anything. I was stating how things used to be and how standards change. And many old people still are experiencing those things but now they’re also having side effects from medications many of them don’t need because they routinely prescribe medications when often they’re not immediately needed. And all of the research on the subject is pretty much done by the pharmaceutical companies, who don’t make money unless they sell pills. Common sense. If you’re bp is only slightly elevated medicine does more harm than good. I’ve seen older people pass out and break hips from low bp due to taking meds they didn’t need. And if you are taking this medicine, you should be checking your blood pressure before each dose, and if it’s low, do not take the pill. Again, not medical advice just common sense.

 

[elgerber]

My dh has been on meds for years. He was not sedentary, so didn't try that route. The first med they gave him made him feel horrible all the time. He was very unhappy. Switched to him Lisinopril and he has no issues at all with it, and his BP stays in check.