What does high blood pressure feel like?
Discussion
My blood pressure is bloody annoying tbh - I'm 40, a little bit overweight , don't smoke. My BP has been up and down for most of my 30s, I consistently get good readings in the morning (sub 120/80) but my mid afternoon readings can at times be really high - north of 170/100. and they are generally higher - say 140/90. I then drop again in the evening.
I suffer from exactly the same syndrome as an earlier poster - my fear of a high reading generates a high reading so I always do three or more readings, I can see 30+ drops in readings from first to third. Seems general levels of stress/ anxiety have a massive impact on my readings, and I know I suffer with generalised anxiety. Heart rate readings correlate well with BP.
My long term average (over the last 8 years now) is 130/82, but I can skew that by only doing morning readings.
I suffer from exactly the same syndrome as an earlier poster - my fear of a high reading generates a high reading so I always do three or more readings, I can see 30+ drops in readings from first to third. Seems general levels of stress/ anxiety have a massive impact on my readings, and I know I suffer with generalised anxiety. Heart rate readings correlate well with BP.
My long term average (over the last 8 years now) is 130/82, but I can skew that by only doing morning readings.
panholio said:
My blood pressure is bloody annoying tbh - I'm 40, a little bit overweight , don't smoke. My BP has been up and down for most of my 30s, I consistently get good readings in the morning (sub 120/80) but my mid afternoon readings can at times be really high - north of 170/100. and they are generally higher - say 140/90. I then drop again in the evening.
I suffer from exactly the same syndrome as an earlier poster - my fear of a high reading generates a high reading so I always do three or more readings, I can see 30+ drops in readings from first to third. Seems general levels of stress/ anxiety have a massive impact on my readings, and I know I suffer with generalised anxiety. Heart rate readings correlate well with BP.
My long term average (over the last 8 years now) is 130/82, but I can skew that by only doing morning readings.
Still reading about that wrist device posted earlier but it looks really good. Ideal for yourself as you would have constant readings without the worry of the result ?I suffer from exactly the same syndrome as an earlier poster - my fear of a high reading generates a high reading so I always do three or more readings, I can see 30+ drops in readings from first to third. Seems general levels of stress/ anxiety have a massive impact on my readings, and I know I suffer with generalised anxiety. Heart rate readings correlate well with BP.
My long term average (over the last 8 years now) is 130/82, but I can skew that by only doing morning readings.
98elise said:
Slowboathome said:
popeyewhite said:
Oddly that link states the effect of "Heavy physical exercise before measurement" [3] ? 18–20 mmHg [systolic]
Heavy physical exercise for me always results in an increase in systolic... . Perhaps I've misunderstood the chart.
Maybe it differs according to length of time after exercise? If I go for a run then leave it an hour or so mine will be lower than normal.Heavy physical exercise for me always results in an increase in systolic... . Perhaps I've misunderstood the chart.
Narcisus said:
Still reading about that wrist device posted earlier but it looks really good. Ideal for yourself as you would have constant readings without the worry of the result ?
Very much so. Also, by collecting overnight readings I was very quickly able to reduce my dose of Amlodipine, which made me feel awful at 10 mg, to 5 mg while keeping me in the right BP zone. No way I could have got that data without it. Changes made with confidence within a matter of days. Decided to start monitoring my blood pressure as both parents have high blood pressure and since lockdown I had been drinking too much and slowly putting on the weight.
I'm 37, 5.9 and weigh 12.8 stone. (Was about just over 14) run 5k a few times a week and have a good diet.
Took a reading after work about 6pm and it was 133/81. I'm not keen on the machines so I do get better readings if I test more often.
For me reducing alcohol, exercise, cutting out sugar, losing weight and eating a healthy diet is a good start.
To take it further then something like potassium is vital for your body to regulate blood pressure but most people don't eat enough, I now aim to eat around 1500mg a day and that helps to get me into the normal range
I'm 37, 5.9 and weigh 12.8 stone. (Was about just over 14) run 5k a few times a week and have a good diet.
Took a reading after work about 6pm and it was 133/81. I'm not keen on the machines so I do get better readings if I test more often.
For me reducing alcohol, exercise, cutting out sugar, losing weight and eating a healthy diet is a good start.
To take it further then something like potassium is vital for your body to regulate blood pressure but most people don't eat enough, I now aim to eat around 1500mg a day and that helps to get me into the normal range
McAndy said:
Narcisus said:
Still reading about that wrist device posted earlier but it looks really good. Ideal for yourself as you would have constant readings without the worry of the result ?
Very much so. Also, by collecting overnight readings I was very quickly able to reduce my dose of Amlodipine, which made me feel awful at 10 mg, to 5 mg while keeping me in the right BP zone. No way I could have got that data without it. Changes made with confidence within a matter of days. When the quote a 120/80 target they are talking about a resting blood pressure. Do you find the average is just skewed up by your physical activity? Or can you account for that in the data?
panholio said:
McAndy said:
Narcisus said:
Still reading about that wrist device posted earlier but it looks really good. Ideal for yourself as you would have constant readings without the worry of the result ?
Very much so. Also, by collecting overnight readings I was very quickly able to reduce my dose of Amlodipine, which made me feel awful at 10 mg, to 5 mg while keeping me in the right BP zone. No way I could have got that data without it. Changes made with confidence within a matter of days. When the quote a 120/80 target they are talking about a resting blood pressure. Do you find the average is just skewed up by your physical activity? Or can you account for that in the data?
As an example of useful data, I noticed a trend in my monthly trending when I increased my cycling. While my individual peaks increased immediately post-exercise (by that I mean in quantity, not BP), my overall daily trends went down as my resting reduced overnight.
Narcisus said:
Mine seems to be moving in the right direction this mornings reading was 145/95.
Today will be day 5 of meds.
Glad to hear it. Don’t be surprised if they add another med to you. I was in the 130s on 10 mg Ramipril, so they threw Amlodipine at me as well. Now in the low to mid 120s, under that overnight. Today will be day 5 of meds.
Thanks guys I’ll report how things go. Steps have been around 12k daily since I found out up from about 3k with a 4 mile walk this afternoon. Pretty much stopped sweet stuff and anything with Caffeine not had any booze now for about 3 weeks. Pretty determined to lose at least a stone asap.
I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m also suffering from sleep apnoea I did mention this to the doctor but I guess the main priority is lowering the blood pressure.
I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m also suffering from sleep apnoea I did mention this to the doctor but I guess the main priority is lowering the blood pressure.
CoolHands said:
Losing weight definitely improves my blood pressure. But I have to be right down to normal weight for it to work. So currently 68kgs. It’s not easy to not be overweight at all!
I don’t really look overweight and people are surprised to find I’m 14.3 Stone but I’m not very tall …. About 5.8.Narcisus said:
I don’t really look overweight and people are surprised to find I’m 14.3 Stone but I’m not very tall …. About 5.8.
Yeah I think that’s the problem you need to try and get quite lean to improve your blood pressure in that regard. And as we all know losing weight is extremely hard. Don’t know if your on the weight losers thread but maybe start if you haven’t already. Also look at the keto thread.CoolHands said:
Narcisus said:
I don’t really look overweight and people are surprised to find I’m 14.3 Stone but I’m not very tall …. About 5.8.
Yeah I think that’s the problem you need to try and get quite lean to improve your blood pressure in that regard. And as we all know losing weight is extremely hard. Don’t know if your on the weight losers thread but maybe start if you haven’t already. Also look at the keto thread.
It's probably worth a bit as a classic !
McAndy said:
Glad to hear it. Don’t be surprised if they add another med to you. I was in the 130s on 10 mg Ramipril, so they threw Amlodipine at me as well. Now in the low to mid 120s, under that overnight.
That does seem to be their standard combo. I've been on them for a while and they seem to be doing the job. I do have terrible white coat syndrome though, so it can go through the roof when it's being checked sometimes. I try and remember to get them to do it first too, as I have difficult veins apparently and if they do it after taking bloods (which can take a few attempts) it is up there again. I do find a nice stroll to the doctors, rather than driving and finding somewhere to park, helps too. Ah, the joys of getting old !Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff