high blood pressure

[minnieandmickeymouse]

Does anyone here have high blood pressure or have a Dh that does? My DH blood pressure is high, when he went to the doc. last week it was 140/90! The stupid doc never said anything to him, like he should be watching his sodium intake or anything. I know he is only 31, but we need to work on this, on our own I guess.
Has anyone been able to lower thier BP on diet alone? DH is NOT at all over weight. And he has a job where he is moving all day. I believe the 2 main causes for the HBP is too much sodium and HBP runs in his family.

I don't want to loose my DH at a young age, so I hope that it will be possible to lower it with just changing his diet.

The heath center docs really don't seem to care, it makes me so mad. Everytime he goes, it's high and they say NOTHING!

 

[Bichon Barb]

My DH didn't go to the doctor for years, and when he did, it was discovered that his BP was 170 over ??? !!!

He lost 30 lbs., watches his salt intake and is on two different meds. His BP is now normal.

 

[Bichon Barb]

I should add that BP can go up and down during the day. In general, it's usually lower in the morning and rises throughout the day. Also, if your are anxious when getting your BP taken, that can make it go up too. I would suggest that your DH have his BP measured at different times of the day. If you don't have the equipment, you can usually find a pharmacy or grocery store which has a machine.

Good luck.

 

[Galahad]

The doc is going to be reluctant to go to medication right away. First, you can't really determine that somebody has HBP without checking it over a few months. One day's reading won't do it. So the first thing they will try is diet, etc. Did he order any other blood work? I am almost 50. I am 5'9" and 150 pounds, active and in good shape. My TOTAL cholesterol, for example, is 80. I have HBP and it has been elevated since I was in my 20's. I started on medication about 3 years ago, but that was after quite a few years of trying other things with my doctors. As an aside, DW is physician (though not an internist) and supported this approach all the way through.

 

[Serena]

My doctors didn't say anything until it was high two appointments in a row. Then I was put on medicine along with all the other advice.

They didn't take me off the medicine until it had been down for a year.

 

[perdidobay]

It would be good to test his BP at somewhere outside of a doctors office. Mine always goes up there due to stress, and/or having to wait 3 hours.

 

[Kimberle]

140/90 is to high by the new standards. They now like to see 120/80 or lower.

I have had HBP since having HELLP when I was pregnant. I am on med's. My dr watched me closely for about 6 months before starting med's.

Your dh's dr should be watching your dh closely. I'd suggest too, buying a blood pressure measuring machine for your home. I got a decent one at Walmart for around $70. Your dh should take his at home at various times. Note the numbers, then take them to his next appt.

 

[minnieandmickeymouse]

This past year he has gone to the docs many times. He was out of work for about 7 weeks due to a work injury and everytime he went to the doc. it was high. They never say anything. this was not a one time deal.

My father has a blood pressure thingy, LOL, I will ask him today if we can borrow it for a couple of days.

When DH goes back, I WILL BE going with him. I will bring to up myself. It really tics me off that they never talk to him about it. Guess I have to bring my big mouth with DH, LOL.

DH has been complaining about the pounding in his chest with little activity, and he is up on his feet all day, and phyically working. I am worried. I did some reading on the internet this morning, and until then did not realize how dangerous HBP could be.

 

[Chattyaholic]

Mine is always higher when I go to the doctor's office, even if it's just for one of my diabetic check-ups and I know I'm not going to be receiving any pain...well, just when they give me the bill.

I have a BP monitor and it's always "normal" when I take my pressure here at home, but I am on hydrochlorothyazide and zestril to keep it down. I've recently lost 40 pounds, and want to lose 20 more, but I do love salt so haven't been really careful about that. It was always on the high side (at the doctor's office) even when I was thin. They call that "white coat syndrome" and a lot of people have it.

 

[Galahad]

This past year he has gone to the docs many times. He was out of work for about 7 weeks due to a work injury and everytime he went to the doc. it was high. They never say anything. this was not a one time deal.

Then, IMO, you're right to raise a red flag. Insist on attention to it right away since they should have observed it for months! While they would be right not to leap on it the first time it reads high, they are not right for letting it slide for a year.

 

[minnieandmickeymouse]

Then, IMO, you're right to raise a red flag. Insist on attention to it right away since they should have observed it for months! While they would be right not to leap on it the first time it reads high, they are not right for letting it slide for a year.

Thank you, that's what I thought. I just don't understand how a doctor can ignore it, esp. when it's been going on for awhile. I can't and will not! I love him too much.

 

[ladydancer]

Originally posted by minnieandmickeymouse
Does anyone here have high blood pressure or have a Dh that does? My DH blood pressure is high, when he went to the doc. last week it was 140/90! The stupid doc never said anything to him, like he should be watching his sodium intake or anything. I know he is only 31, but we need to work on this, on our own I guess.
Has anyone been able to lower thier BP on diet alone? DH is NOT at all over weight. And he has a job where he is moving all day. I believe the 2 main causes for the HBP is too much sodium and HBP runs in his family.

I don't want to loose my DH at a young age, so I hope that it will be possible to lower it with just changing his diet.

The heath center docs really don't seem to care, it makes me so mad. Everytime he goes, it's high and they say NOTHING!

Dh had a heart attack a in '99. He had hb before the attack. Now he is on med to keep it down. Things we are told by the cardiologist to keep it down:

No smoking
diet...more fruits and veggies less meat and no fatty meat.
Aerobic Exercise.

I know you stated your dh has a job where he "moves" all day. My dh is in construction and he "moves" all day but....that isn't good enough, it is suppose to be Aerobic. Keeping your heart rate up to a certain point for a period of time.