High blood pressure?

[MICKIMINI]

Not a doc, but personally I would eliminate as much salt as possible, start easy exercises like a short walk and work up. Lots of water to drink and see what happens. Once they get you on meds, it is nearly impossible for them to take you off.

I find techs often are asking questions and expecting an answer to "multi task" when taking BP. You should be quiet for a few minutes when they are taking it. Ask them to take it again! DH and I have gone this route and are amazingly, it goes down...ymmv.

Good luck!

 

[longboard55]

I have always had high blood pressure, and have tried most of the meds. They really did not do much and some had really bad side effects. And yes hated to do to the doctor because I would always get the your blood pressure is to high. What I finally tried and works like a charm is this Water Out supplement I get from Amazon. Also take Super Beets and exercise a lot. Just checked 125/74 and I am 70.

 

[mistysue]

I've been told that you can usually expect to fix a bit of high BP by losing 10% of bodyweight. My initial "you're a little high" reading was about the same as hers. I've now lost about 18% body weight since being told that and my last in-office reading was higher than before, only by a couple points, but higher... but they insisted on ignoring that I clearly have white coat syndrome for that reading and didn't retake it after I rested, saying they weren't worried that day. I walked in the door, late, and was ushered straight into the room where she spoke to me as I was having the reading taken. It was like a checklist of how not to take your reading. My readings have gone up and down seasonally as I've gotten re-checked.

My doctor now put me on the smallest dose of one med, and it hasn't bothered me at all. On the plus side, focusing on my health means I can do things like hang out on an elliptical for 30 minutes and not want to collapse. All of my weights for lifting at the gym have about doubled in the last couple years without being sore in between which is sort of cool. My scale number hasn't changed as much as how things fit, but the weight loss comes in spurts.

Just be sure she realizes you can really really need to stick to it to lose weight. When I say I'm down 18% - that is 2 1/2 years of logging every calorie and working out EVERY DAY. Maybe she will be lucky, but doctors are skeptical about people making health changes because when you're not simply lucky, it sucks. It sucks in ways like when I joined weight watchers, the app sent me messages checking that I wasn't being deceptive about my intake - but I was using a kitchen scale, so unfortunately, I wasn't.

 

[Mommb]

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.

I'm not sure about this. My husband is on a low dose of Lisinopril (10 mg) and if he skips a day, he has a reaction (I can't remember if he gets lightheaded or fatigued, but I know he feels it).

It would make sense to take your blood pressure at home regularly right before taking a new dose and let your doctor know if it is consistently within the desired range so you can consider going off of medication. However, stopping and starting a medicine that has been prescribed for daily use can be dangerous, depending on the medication and your specific needs.

 

[tvguy]

Blood pressure is a hot topic with me. I think Doctors today lean towards over medicating patients.
I have been on at least one blood pressure medicine for 25 years.
The guidelines HAVE changed, but it has been my experience that Doctors want to add medicine to "tweak your blood pressure down a few more points". I am currently on 5 blood pressure medicines.
The main concern of my PCP was high blood pressure would damage my kidneys. Ultimately, one of the blood pressure medicines he put me on triggered an autoimmune condition and THAT damaged my kidneys. More frustrating, I was in the hospital for an ablation and the cardiologist missed on my chart that I can't take that medicine, and he prescribed it and I took it because I was just coming out of anesthesia and didn't discover until later than I had been given that medicine.
And within the past month, my Nephrologist: (who I see because blood pressure medicine damaged my kidneys) talked me into adding a medicine to "lower my blood pressure a few points". She KNEW I had a history of afib, and checked my pulse and said you are not in afib (after an ablation and a cardioversion). Guess what, one of the potential side effects of this drug......AFIB! Within 5 days I was back in afib. The Cardiologist doesn't understand by this drug would ever be prescribed to someone with an afib history. The Nephrologist: did tell me to stop taking it.....DUH!
For the record my blood pressure at home averages 126/82. 25 years ago it was 170/90, so yes, it is vastly improved, but how much medicine should a person be taking to get your blood pressure down a few points?

 

[longboard55]

So before Obamacare I went to a doctor and my numbers were not good. 40 year old workaholic, ok I get it. So the Dr goes I can tell you to eat better and exercise but it will be a lot easier if I get you on prescriptions to lower the risk. Ok fine, a couple years later I had to get an individual insurance plan because I lost group coverage and they basically tell be I am uninsurable because I take these medications.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

This was after ONE semi high reading?
I would decline meds.
Get a BP cuff and take it regularly at home and take a pic of the results to show the Dr at the next visit.
Also yes at least make SOME lifestyle changes like adding in a few better food options and reducing (not eliminating) the "less healthy" food.
Drink more water.
Go for a walk around the block.

See if that can help and then if its not great after that then consider the meds.

I used to be on BP meds before losing weight.
They didn't seem to really help much when I'd be at the Dr but would help too much during every day life.
Glad I got off of them.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Was this her first elevated reading? If so I would start keeping track at home and make changes to diet and exercise first. If this is not her first elevated reading then I would consider the medication.

 

[Imzadi]

Guidelines have changed over the years & the recommended numbers are lower than they used to be.

The guidelines were changed from 140/90 to 130/80 in 2017.

This is precisely why my doctor did not want to prescribe meds for me. In his experience, almost everyone who had elevated readings are now considered to automatically have high blood pressure under the new lowered numbers. So, he wasn't too concerned when I was within that previous borderline range. He did not automatically prescribe meds.

High blood pressure & diabetes run in my family. And I've been (borderline) pre-diabetic for YEARS. There have also been times when my BP was 150/85. So, I have had to really be diligent about changing my diet and trying to get more movement, if not exercise.

I really try to stay within the American Heart Association's sodium intake recommendation of no more than 1,500 milligrams (mg) per day. I'm really good (most days) about eating salt free or low sodium for breakfast & lunch. (Eggs - no salt, peanut butter or nuts - no salt, bread is low sodium, high protein pasta - low sodium, as well as the sauces, any snacks are usually low sodium & lower fat, and lower sugar, etc.

Dinner is where the majority of say 1,000 mgs of sodium goes. But, I salt very carefully. Remember almost every processed ingredient added will contain salt: butter, canned tuna! Canned corn, canned peas, canned beets, canned chick peas, and canned stocks/broths, unless the label clearly states, "no salt added" or "low sodium." Even condiments have added salt & sugar.

I stand in supermarkets reading and comparing labels all the time. I joined a few Facebook groups which are great about recommending certain brands of food products so I'm reading less labels in supermarkets and only checking to be sure the manufacturer hasn't changed the product & sodium levels. Facebook groups for high blood pressure also have recipe recommendations.

Then, once in a while I can "binge" on a higher sodium dinner of a food I miss, (or am out eating with friends,) which doesn't blow the whole 1,500 mgs of sodium.

A while back, I remember walking around a local street fair last summer. One booth was doing free blood pressure readings with the old style stethoscope readings, instead of a digital monitor. He said my BP reading was a (low for me) 118/75. I was shocked. I went home & checked with my 2 digital monitors, (the second monitor I was given by chance and I kept it,) & the guy was right! And it stayed around that level.

My last doctor visit a couple months later confirmed the lower levels, as well as my A1C levels for pre-diabetes was down slightly and I lost a few pounds.

So, (I'm NOT an doctor or Internet doctor,) but it IS possible to manage both if one IS diligent with their diet & exercise. I'm not a saint by any means when it comes to monitoring. I may blow my sodium intake if I'm out and all there is, is a nearby McDonalds. (One burger is most of the 1,500 mgs.) But, I try to make up for that high sodium day by doing almost no salt the following couple of days. I'll eat salads with just olive oil & vinegar. No salty or sugary dressings, no salty croutons, and watch every vegetable I put it, especially if they are canned.

Your DSis has to be honest with herself, how diligent will she be with diet & exercise? Will it be like most people making new year's resolutions and slipping back into old ways within a couple months? Or can and will she really be able to be monitor her diet & exercise more consistently and make some lifestyle changes?

She doesn't have to be perfect every day, IMO, especially at the beginning, until she comes up with a routine that works for her. And even then, she may fall off here and there, as she's human. So no beating herself up when she goes off. Just start again the next day. It's one day and one meal at a time. And luckily her BP levels aren't dangerously high, so she can find what will work most consistently for her. (Again, only my opinion.)

However, she may not have shared with you other medical factors she has that her doctor already factored into her situation, and that is why he's recommending she takes meds.

She may want to consult with a doctor who, like mine, is more lenient on the borderline levels, if diet & exercise changes are made, instead of simply prescribing meds.

 

[Christine]

My BP often gets to those levels and no doctor has ever recommended meds (maybe that's not a good thing). I will say this--the times that I watch what I eat and "just" lose 5-10 pounds, it magically fixes itself.

I think your sister absolutely should try to drop a few pounds and eat a bit better. I've never noticed that I am "salt sensitive." It's more of the overall diet--getting away from ultra processed foods, eating more plain, whether I add salt to or it not.

 

[Pooh2]

Just came from the doc with a high reading.
Doc told me to buy a home monitor (omron upper arm bp cuff, $34 on amazon).
Was told to take bp once per day when relaxed and record it, come back in 8 weeks for recheck.
Your family members doc seems in a hurry to prescribe meds.

 

[Imzadi]

Drink more water.

What?

<off to Google >

Wow, I did not know not drinking enough water plays such a big part in high blood pressure. I am typically dehydrated as I don't drink enough water, or carry enough bottled water with me. I hate drinking our local tap water. I hate having a water bottle tethered to me. And my water pitcher is usually empty when I go to fill a bottle. Then I get distracted as I wait for the water to filter into the pitcher.

Also, several times when the nurse had to draw blood for my my blood tests, they sometimes have had a hard time locating a vein. They aren't plump and juicy as they would be if I drank enough water. I didn't realize that could affect the blood pressure readings. The last time I went in, I made sure to drink enough water well before hand. And that's when I had a normal BP reading.

 

[_19disnA]

The acceptable numbers for blood pressure were reduced several years ago which means people who didn't previously have a concern now have something new to think about. While we can debate the wisdom of what the current standard is, there are MANY blood pressure pills your doctor can recommend. Parents have been taking various blood pressure pills for a number of years with no issues. As with any medical issue, your doctor knows your medical history, what other pills you are taking and which ones to recommend. I would never stop taking ANY prescribed medication without first discussing it with your doctor.

Diet & healthy lifestyle can also be a factor. One simple thing to do regarding your diet is reduce the amount of salt you consume, parent's doctor suggested that years ago. Far too many people dump loads of salt on their food out of habit before they even taste it. Also don't add salt when cooking and you will find the food actually tastes better. Cutting down your salt intake is one simple way to improve your health.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

I suffer from other disorders that in turn makes my blood pressure spike, making the Controversial Board dicey at best!

 

[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.

One other thing I would add to this. He used to get headaches at least a couple times a week. Once he started that med, he rarely ever gets a headache anymore.

 

[team bradfield]

a normal systolic BP reading (top number) for older people was 100 plus their age. Most older people will have some degree of hypertension.

so my normal BP should be 166 over 80?

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

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.

I agree that doctors are now owned by the insurance company and pharmaceutical company BUT I'm sorry WHEN EVER would 182/80 be considered normal?
The age should not dictate the exact number of a healthy BP like that.

My mom was a med surg RN on the cardiac floor. She just laughed at me when I told her my dad's BP should be 100+ his age systolic.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

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'm in that group of patients that my blood pressure is up (higher than "normal" for me), so I had the same options - low salt diet, more exercise or meds.

I'm not great at sticking to schedules for eating style or exercise, although I try to do some of it, so I opted for the meds. We started me on lisinopril (usually the first step), 1 pill a day, but my BP dropped into the cellar after the first dose. So we stopped it for a week and started again with 1/2 a pill 4 times a week. That was better, but I was still getting light-headed when standing up, so we lowered it a bit to 3 times a week. That worked fine. One big disadvantage to lisinopril is that, for MANY people it causes a chronic cough and I got it. But I could live with it. Until we passed through COVID. Now, anyone who coughs in public gets the stink-eye, regardless of what's causing the cough. I talked to my doctor about it and she switched me to a different med. My cough cleared up and there's been no change in my BP.

 

[focusondisney]

so my normal BP should be 166 over 80?

No! That was some old guideline she was siting. No one’s blood pressure should be that high.

 

[focusondisney]

I agree that doctors are now owned by the insurance company and pharmaceutical company BUT I'm sorry WHEN EVER would 182/80 be considered normal?
The age should not dictate the exact number of a healthy BP like that.

My mom was a med surge RN on the cardiac floor. She just laughed at me when I told her my dad's BP should be 100+ his age systolic.

I was an RN for over 44 years, some of them on a cardiac floor as well. Which is why I commented that older people used to have many more strokes, heart attacks & kidney failure back then. Most of grandmothers generation had those when they were in their 60s, with several dying. My siblings, cousins & I are now in our 60s & 70s. Some of us have high blood pressure, controlled with meds. But none of us have had strokes or heart attacks like that generation did.