Blood pressure
Discussion
First thing my doctor said to me when my BP was 150/110 was 'Stop drinking, lose weight' then after six months of poor effort by me, they put me on Ramipril. Ironically, I then lost a load of weight and now have normal BP.
Other than that, for anything else, my GP provides the answer: 'take some over-the-counter painkillers and get back in touch if it hasn't sorted itself out after a week or two'. I've waited six weeks for a telephone appointment before, what's the point?
After being signed off for five weeks due to my back going into spasm and getting sciatica, the Doctor didn't even want to prescribe me a two-week script of Amitriptaline... which was recommended by both my private medical doctor and my physiotherapist. Basically had to argue with her to get it.
Other than that, for anything else, my GP provides the answer: 'take some over-the-counter painkillers and get back in touch if it hasn't sorted itself out after a week or two'. I've waited six weeks for a telephone appointment before, what's the point?
After being signed off for five weeks due to my back going into spasm and getting sciatica, the Doctor didn't even want to prescribe me a two-week script of Amitriptaline... which was recommended by both my private medical doctor and my physiotherapist. Basically had to argue with her to get it.
BoRED S2upid said:
Your friends can challenge it and try and get it down via lifestyle but it’s easier and quicker to pop a pill than cut out all the crap food and do a s
t load of exercise.
I’ve had those 24 hour monitors twice and it was fine but suffer from that white coat hypertension when faced with a doctor so monitor it at home also have cut out dairy, cheese, red meat and exercise 4 times a week minimum.
How long have you been doing that and have you seen any changes from it?t load of exercise. I’ve had those 24 hour monitors twice and it was fine but suffer from that white coat hypertension when faced with a doctor so monitor it at home also have cut out dairy, cheese, red meat and exercise 4 times a week minimum.
rodericb said:
BoRED S2upid said:
Your friends can challenge it and try and get it down via lifestyle but it’s easier and quicker to pop a pill than cut out all the crap food and do a st load of exercise.
I’ve had those 24 hour monitors twice and it was fine but suffer from that white coat hypertension when faced with a doctor so monitor it at home also have cut out dairy, cheese, red meat and exercise 4 times a week minimum.
How long have you been doing that and have you seen any changes from it?t load of exercise. I’ve had those 24 hour monitors twice and it was fine but suffer from that white coat hypertension when faced with a doctor so monitor it at home also have cut out dairy, cheese, red meat and exercise 4 times a week minimum.
I'm 34 was diagnosed with HBP 2 years ago, thrown straight onto some tablets, a doctor earlier in the year reviewed them and said no you shouldn't be on them, you need to be on these and changed them.
Blood tests come back fine, ECG etc fine, waiting to see a Thyroid doctor now. I think I get white coat syndrome.
Blood tests come back fine, ECG etc fine, waiting to see a Thyroid doctor now. I think I get white coat syndrome.
the-norseman said:
I'm 34 was diagnosed with HBP 2 years ago, thrown straight onto some tablets, a doctor earlier in the year reviewed them and said no you shouldn't be on them, you need to be on these and changed them.
Blood tests come back fine, ECG etc fine, waiting to see a Thyroid doctor now. I think I get white coat syndrome.
Exactly the same as me see above. You need a 24 hour monitor which checks it every hour even when you are trying to sleep. At 34 unless obese or an underlying problem you shouldn’t really have high BP. Blood tests come back fine, ECG etc fine, waiting to see a Thyroid doctor now. I think I get white coat syndrome.
the-norseman said:
I'm 34 was diagnosed with HBP 2 years ago, thrown straight onto some tablets, a doctor earlier in the year reviewed them and said no you shouldn't be on them, you need to be on these and changed them.
Blood tests come back fine, ECG etc fine, waiting to see a Thyroid doctor now. I think I get white coat syndrome.
I was diagnosed at about the same age and stuck on some pills. It was only a good few years later the thyroid problem was picked up on too. My readings at the docs were stupidly high due to WCS, but the nurse doing blood tests first didn't help (I hate needles and the nurse at our docs isn't the best. It has taken her 4 attempts to get blood before now) and now I tend to do them at home and let them know the readings.Blood tests come back fine, ECG etc fine, waiting to see a Thyroid doctor now. I think I get white coat syndrome.
In reply to the two replies above, I've had the 24 hour monitor thats when they decided to put me on pills.
I recently did 4x daily readings (2 in morning and 2 at night) and my average was 125/77, all of my readings were done after a few minutes of breathing in and out deeply, apart from my very first reading which was 141/79 without that reading my average would of been 120/74.
I used to be 120kg, over a few years I dropped down to 68kg and then built back upto around 85kg. I'm currently sitting at around 98kg (have a 16 month old baby) so all my training BJJ, Swimming has gone out of the window, I still get to the gym 2-3 times a week for weight lifting and 30 mins cardio (bike) but thats about it.
So got to wait for this thyroid doctor now, they sent me a letter in October 2022 for December 2023 appointment and now its been pushed back till Jan 2024.
I recently did 4x daily readings (2 in morning and 2 at night) and my average was 125/77, all of my readings were done after a few minutes of breathing in and out deeply, apart from my very first reading which was 141/79 without that reading my average would of been 120/74.
I used to be 120kg, over a few years I dropped down to 68kg and then built back upto around 85kg. I'm currently sitting at around 98kg (have a 16 month old baby) so all my training BJJ, Swimming has gone out of the window, I still get to the gym 2-3 times a week for weight lifting and 30 mins cardio (bike) but thats about it.
So got to wait for this thyroid doctor now, they sent me a letter in October 2022 for December 2023 appointment and now its been pushed back till Jan 2024.
Stop worrying - it will only put your blood pressure up! 
My BP has averaged 250/150 and been uncontrolled since 2013 - after being diagnosed with a small paraganglioma secreting intermittently.
That little fella is currently living in a "pole" on top of my left kidney, but no-one wants to bother him because I am an anaesthetic risk.
BP currently 244/154 with a 47mm dilatation AA on my thoracic aorta and a 39mm dilatation AA on the ascending portion of my aorta.
These were first seen April 22 and caused a bit of a stir with the medics. However, I am still here and keeping going (56 in a few weeks).
The medical consensus - somehow, your body has become used to this BP and, even if there were any tablets we could give you, we wouldn't as it would almost certainly do more harm than good.
So - relax, eat cake, drink coke, lots of coffee, extra salt on your chips - you'll be fine!
Seriously, though - I hope all will manage to get things "under control" and live a long, happy and healthy life.
My BP has averaged 250/150 and been uncontrolled since 2013 - after being diagnosed with a small paraganglioma secreting intermittently.
That little fella is currently living in a "pole" on top of my left kidney, but no-one wants to bother him because I am an anaesthetic risk.
BP currently 244/154 with a 47mm dilatation AA on my thoracic aorta and a 39mm dilatation AA on the ascending portion of my aorta.
These were first seen April 22 and caused a bit of a stir with the medics. However, I am still here and keeping going (56 in a few weeks).
The medical consensus - somehow, your body has become used to this BP and, even if there were any tablets we could give you, we wouldn't as it would almost certainly do more harm than good.
So - relax, eat cake, drink coke, lots of coffee, extra salt on your chips - you'll be fine!
Seriously, though - I hope all will manage to get things "under control" and live a long, happy and healthy life.
the-norseman said:
In reply to the two replies above, I've had the 24 hour monitor thats when they decided to put me on pills.
I recently did 4x daily readings (2 in morning and 2 at night) and my average was 125/77, all of my readings were done after a few minutes of breathing in and out deeply, apart from my very first reading which was 141/79 without that reading my average would of been 120/74.
I used to be 120kg, over a few years I dropped down to 68kg and then built back upto around 85kg. I'm currently sitting at around 98kg (have a 16 month old baby) so all my training BJJ, Swimming has gone out of the window, I still get to the gym 2-3 times a week for weight lifting and 30 mins cardio (bike) but thats about it.
So got to wait for this thyroid doctor now, they sent me a letter in October 2022 for December 2023 appointment and now its been pushed back till Jan 2024.
Nothing wrong with those readings. Perfectly fine. I recently did 4x daily readings (2 in morning and 2 at night) and my average was 125/77, all of my readings were done after a few minutes of breathing in and out deeply, apart from my very first reading which was 141/79 without that reading my average would of been 120/74.
I used to be 120kg, over a few years I dropped down to 68kg and then built back upto around 85kg. I'm currently sitting at around 98kg (have a 16 month old baby) so all my training BJJ, Swimming has gone out of the window, I still get to the gym 2-3 times a week for weight lifting and 30 mins cardio (bike) but thats about it.
So got to wait for this thyroid doctor now, they sent me a letter in October 2022 for December 2023 appointment and now its been pushed back till Jan 2024.
the-norseman said:
In reply to the two replies above, I've had the 24 hour monitor thats when they decided to put me on pills.
I recently did 4x daily readings (2 in morning and 2 at night) and my average was 125/77, all of my readings were done after a few minutes of breathing in and out deeply, apart from my very first reading which was 141/79 without that reading my average would of been 120/74.
I used to be 120kg, over a few years I dropped down to 68kg and then built back upto around 85kg. I'm currently sitting at around 98kg (have a 16 month old baby) so all my training BJJ, Swimming has gone out of the window, I still get to the gym 2-3 times a week for weight lifting and 30 mins cardio (bike) but thats about it.
So got to wait for this thyroid doctor now, they sent me a letter in October 2022 for December 2023 appointment and now its been pushed back till Jan 2024.
I always ignore the first 1-2 readings. I recently did 4x daily readings (2 in morning and 2 at night) and my average was 125/77, all of my readings were done after a few minutes of breathing in and out deeply, apart from my very first reading which was 141/79 without that reading my average would of been 120/74.
I used to be 120kg, over a few years I dropped down to 68kg and then built back upto around 85kg. I'm currently sitting at around 98kg (have a 16 month old baby) so all my training BJJ, Swimming has gone out of the window, I still get to the gym 2-3 times a week for weight lifting and 30 mins cardio (bike) but thats about it.
So got to wait for this thyroid doctor now, they sent me a letter in October 2022 for December 2023 appointment and now its been pushed back till Jan 2024.
125/77 or 120/74 are fine. Many would be very pleased to be around those levels.
1. In the short-term take the pills
2.Try the lifestyle improvements but to repeat other posters its hard and really hard to maintain long term
3.Get to the bottom of the problem, hundreds of things cause high BP, e.g. thyroid all the way to prostrate. You might be able to fix the real cause.
2.Try the lifestyle improvements but to repeat other posters its hard and really hard to maintain long term
3.Get to the bottom of the problem, hundreds of things cause high BP, e.g. thyroid all the way to prostrate. You might be able to fix the real cause.
Does it really need a doctor to make obvious statements about lifestyle choices affecting health?
I suppose, yes it does if it was a paid for private consultation, but I can imagine a whole load of patients feigning offence at any insinuation that their own choices might be part of the problem, which is extremely tiresome to deal with so it's understandable if a doctor just lets the multitude of leaflets in the waiting room do the talking about that!
When I'm sedentary and overweight my systolic blood pressure is 140-145mmHg, falling to 120-125mmHg if I do a minimum of regular exercise and control my weight. I count myself as overweight if (amongst other things) I look down at my belly and can lose a finger underneath the fold between the belly and my beltline.
I suppose, yes it does if it was a paid for private consultation, but I can imagine a whole load of patients feigning offence at any insinuation that their own choices might be part of the problem, which is extremely tiresome to deal with so it's understandable if a doctor just lets the multitude of leaflets in the waiting room do the talking about that!
rodericb said:
BoRED S2upid said:
Your friends can challenge it and try and get it down via lifestyle but it’s easier and quicker to pop a pill than cut out all the crap food and do a st load of exercise.
I’ve had those 24 hour monitors twice and it was fine but suffer from that white coat hypertension when faced with a doctor so monitor it at home also have cut out dairy, cheese, red meat and exercise 4 times a week minimum.
How long have you been doing that and have you seen any changes from it?t load of exercise. I’ve had those 24 hour monitors twice and it was fine but suffer from that white coat hypertension when faced with a doctor so monitor it at home also have cut out dairy, cheese, red meat and exercise 4 times a week minimum.
Edited by Ed/L152 on Tuesday 14th November 11:18
Trouble is, the NHS records only the bluntest stats. I had my annual 'will he die soon' checkup recently and they do the height and weight bit, then tell me my BMI is in the obese range.
OTOH they don't have anywhere to record that my body fat % is well in range for my age, I have excellent muscle mass numbers and all the plethora of other useful stuff I have to hand which indicates I'm actually in pretty good shape.
OTOH they don't have anywhere to record that my body fat % is well in range for my age, I have excellent muscle mass numbers and all the plethora of other useful stuff I have to hand which indicates I'm actually in pretty good shape.
Bonefish Blues said:
Trouble is, the NHS records only the bluntest stats. I had my annual 'will he die soon' checkup recently and they do the height and weight bit, then tell me my BMI is in the obese range.
OTOH they don't have anywhere to record that my body fat % is well in range for my age, I have excellent muscle mass numbers and all the plethora of other useful stuff I have to hand which indicates I'm actually in pretty good shape.
Fine, but so what? People like you aren't particularly important from a population health advice standpoint. The vast majority of people with a high BMI are overweight with excessive visceral bodyfat. Those few that aren't overweight (despite having a high BMI) will inevitably be very physically active anyway, and will be able to recognise for themselves that BMI isn't a good indicator for them personally. I don't think BMI is used for anything on a personal level except advice, is it? If a high BMI was used punatively (as a way to set health insurance rates, for example), then it would be unfair! It would be better if bodyfat % could be used instead for advice on an everyday basis, but it's difficult data to collect accurately.OTOH they don't have anywhere to record that my body fat % is well in range for my age, I have excellent muscle mass numbers and all the plethora of other useful stuff I have to hand which indicates I'm actually in pretty good shape.
Edited by Ed/L152 on Tuesday 14th November 11:15
Ed/L152 said:
Bonefish Blues said:
Trouble is, the NHS records only the bluntest stats. I had my annual 'will he die soon' checkup recently and they do the height and weight bit, then tell me my BMI is in the obese range.
OTOH they don't have anywhere to record that my body fat % is well in range for my age, I have excellent muscle mass numbers and all the plethora of other useful stuff I have to hand which indicates I'm actually in pretty good shape.
Fine, but so what? People like you aren't particularly important from a population health advice standpoint. The vast majority of people with a high BMI are overweight with excessive visceral bodyfat. Those few that aren't overweight (despite having a high BMI) will inevitably be very physically active anyway, and will be able to recognise for themselves that BMI isn't a good indicator for them personally. I don't think BMI is used for anything on a personal level except advice, is it? If a high BMI was used punatively (as a way to set health insurance rates, for example), then it would be unfair! It would be better if bodyfat % could be used instead for advice on an everyday basis, but it's difficult data to collect accurately.OTOH they don't have anywhere to record that my body fat % is well in range for my age, I have excellent muscle mass numbers and all the plethora of other useful stuff I have to hand which indicates I'm actually in pretty good shape.
Edited by Ed/L152 on Tuesday 14th November 11:15
PS
My visceral fat's OK too!
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