I was diagnosed with High Blood Pressure!

[ebaynut31]

Other than watching my sodium and starting to exercise more, anyone have any suggestions? I am on a med for it but just a diuretic for now. I am in my 30's. Watching your sodium is hard!!

 

[doxdogy]

Sorry to hear that you have high blood pressure. Make sure you ask your doctor about OTC sinus meds, before taking them. Actually, cutting back on sodium really isn't that hard. I did it a couple of years ago and don't miss using so much salt.

 

[CheshireVal]

Oh wow-- this is a topic that's been on my mind! I was just put on blood pressure meds last week. I'm on a calcium-channel blocker right now to bring my blood pressure down while they run more tests to try to figure out what's causing it (I'm only 29 and very thin-- an unlikely suspect!)

I can't do much exercise now because my pulse is consistently too high but hopefully they'll get to the bottom of it soon because it's starting to worry me (thus, raising my bp even more ).

 

[Kitty 34]

My DH found exercise helped the most with his battle with blood pressure. Giving up the salt is a big help, too. Good luck!

 

[minniecarousel]

We cut back on the salt a couple of years ago when my Mom had her triple bypass. I don't cook with ANY salt. We add it to our food if we really want it. (& that means salting your food in front of poor Ma!) Needless to say, we have all cut back on the salt.

Follow your doctor's instructions. See if you can get a referral to a dietician - that'll make you take it more seriously too.

Good luck!

 

[mommytotwo]

Maybe you can buy a low sodium cookbook.

 

[pumba]

which meant no cooking with salt.....we never ate processed foods ...like bologna ...ham and stuff like that......we always cooked our own meals.....no already to go stuff.....yet ...the bp bug hit me too....sure bummed me out....I know I don't use salts but I do love an occasional chip and dip......just dont' do fast foods and processed meals....and the meds should do okey for you......good luck

 

[chell]

Since they put you on a diuretic make sure you keep your potassium up.

 

[Figment22]

About a year ago I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and was put on a calcium channel blocker. I tend to have strange reactions to medications and this one was no exception. I began to have really horrifying gory nightmares which can be a bad side effect. In order to try to reduce my BP in a more natural fashion (in addition to lowering sodium) I was told to drink a few cups of green tea each day. I buy the decaffinated mint green tea. I have weaned myself (with Dr's permission) off the diuretic he put me on instead of the calcium channel blocker and have maintained acceptable BP levels just from drinking the green tea. Obviously, I would continue with your prescribed medication but perhaps you could work a few cups of green tea into your diet. It certainly can't hurt and is quite pleasant.

Good luck

 

[ebaynut31]

Funny thing is, I don't use salt when cooking or when eating. I started to watch what I eat this past week. I used to cook all the time then freeze the portions in the bowls or the foodsaver. Looks like I will have to get back to that.

I eat bananas so my potassium should be ok. I am on a low dose med.

I take allegra for my allergies which may increase my bp. If I could get rid of my allergies........

I will try the green tea. I like decaf coffee so I now drink that.

I think I will look for a low sodium cookbook. Finding side dishes to go with the meat is hard when it comes to sodium.

Back to making homemade meals instead of easy meals.

Thank goodness for my foodsaver!

 

[pumba]

having so much good stuff in it.....the skins too......I think it has more potassium then anything and is a good side dish....do a few at once and make twice baked ones....put in a zip lock or a food saver and then warm it up at a future date.....delicious.
I took my bp last night before bed and it was 127/77 .I was soooooooo excited....that is the best reading yet

 

[ebaynut31]

I love baked potatoes. So much to do now.

 

[Figment22]

Originally posted by ebaynut31
I take allegra for my allergies which may increase my bp. If I could get rid of my allergies........

You should be OK with the Allegra as it is an antihistimine not a decongestant. Just be sure that your prescription is not for Allegra D . That formulation has a decongestant in it and can increase your BP.

 

[cheeringmom]

Pumba, can I be nosey? What is your normal bp?

 

[chell]

Originally posted by ebaynut31
If I could get rid of my allergies........

If you ever figure that one out please let me know about it!

CONGRATS Pumba!

Potatoes are a wonderful source of potassium.

 

[faithinkarma]

Do they know what is causing your high blood pressure ? Are they looking into it?

My high blood pressure turned out to be caused by kidney problems, which meant potassium has to be eliminated as much as possible. It can literally be deadly for me. I would not change your diet except on professional advice.


I had a harder time giving up salt that cigarettes, but once it is out of your system you really do not miss it at all.

 

[Tulirose]

You might want to look into Salt Sense on your next grocery shopping trip put out by Diamond Crystal. It is not a salt substitute but real salt with 33% less sodium per teaspoon.

 

[arminnie]

Not all high blood pressure is sodium sensitive. A significant portion of the population does have a reaction to sodium that increases bp but there are many individuals that have high pb that does not respond to whether you have no salt or a lot of salt.

I have had borderline high bp and salt consumption doesn't affect it at all. What does change my bp is my weight. A gain or loss of as little as 10 pounds can change it.

Exercise and weight loss (even a very moderate weight loss) can really lower bp readings in some people.

 

[ebaynut31]

high bp runs in my family. I do not use salt to cook or season my foods. I think my weight may be my problem. I could lose another 30 lbs. A friend and I joined a gym recently. I also lost 6 lbs recently. I have been this weight for many years.

My doc doesn't seem too concerned. That kind of concernes me. But, I will continue with my weight loss and exercise and I have to see him in 2 mos. If I don't have a significant change then I will have to push him further.

Although I do have to say my "friends" are a contributing factor, we had major blowouts 2 weeks ago. I was housesitting/petsitting for my sister for the past 2 weeks. I am allergic to cats, got a sinus infection and am fighting a head cold.

Sis is home today and from today on life is all about ME! No more babysitting for my friends (one has 5 kids the other 2). No more pet sitting. My daughter and I go for walks together to de-stress. It is nice.

Plus I have one co-worker that just drives me nuts. She will get herself fired soon so I can see an end.

Thanks for listening.

(I know, long post)

 

[CheshireVal]

No one can figure out yet what's causing my high bp. When I went in for my annual exam in early Feb it was 120/70. When I went to the doctor two weeks later for chest pain/pressure, it was 153/110. I'm only 29 and do not need to lose any weight. The bp medicine I'm on has helped but I'd prefer not to have to be on it for the rest of my life since I'd like to have children one day.

So far the blood tests have all come back normal so I'm still waiting on a potential cause...... at first the doc thought it might be anxiety-related but I'm not so sure.