Blood pressure
Discussion
Have you guys ever tried Hibiscus tea?
I have been addicted to it ever since I tried some - absolutely love it, and supposedly good for blood pressure
I have done a week monitoring previously and been drinking this for about 4 months most nights so need to do another monitor and see if anythings changed.
I'm 30 and had some high end readings. But on my last week of readings about 6 months ago... my average of 42 readings (3 morn, 3 evening for 1 week) was 126 / 85.
Often I found the evenings I got a higher measure, 135 / 92 for example
But mornings I was more normal e.g. 124 / 88
Will report back on the hibiscus experiment!
There is more I could improve though e.g. sleep, I av 6.5 hrs a night and always feel tired.
I have been addicted to it ever since I tried some - absolutely love it, and supposedly good for blood pressure
I have done a week monitoring previously and been drinking this for about 4 months most nights so need to do another monitor and see if anythings changed.
I'm 30 and had some high end readings. But on my last week of readings about 6 months ago... my average of 42 readings (3 morn, 3 evening for 1 week) was 126 / 85.
Often I found the evenings I got a higher measure, 135 / 92 for example
But mornings I was more normal e.g. 124 / 88
Will report back on the hibiscus experiment!
There is more I could improve though e.g. sleep, I av 6.5 hrs a night and always feel tired.
I was questioned about my lifestyle when diagnosed with high BP.
For those that say it can make a big difference what were your readings before and after with just diet? I looked into what would help and the claims were vague or gave very low figure differences.
I lost weight, amd wemt to the gym and it made bugger all difference. Drugs made it significantly better.
For those that say it can make a big difference what were your readings before and after with just diet? I looked into what would help and the claims were vague or gave very low figure differences.
I lost weight, amd wemt to the gym and it made bugger all difference. Drugs made it significantly better.
c.milton said:
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.
Good luck CM,that is a bloody impressive reading.Do you feel ok in yourself?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.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
I've hit 100/160. I know it's coffee. I love coffee. I also like booze.
It's a difficult choice but I'm going to have to itch caffeine and reduce booze
I suspect you will find that this won't make as much of a difference as you think.It's a difficult choice but I'm going to have to itch caffeine and reduce booze
I was really worried about mine a year ago, it was 150/90 I cut out adding salt to my food, but if anything I am drinking more than I did back then. For me I think the trigger was stress, several things were going on in my life at the time.
I have had a couple of drinks tonight and have just taken two readings off the back of this thread, both were 122/67 which I am reasonably happy with.
I used to walk every day and 3 to 4 hours on a Sunday and it made little if any difference.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 14th November 19:53
Caffeine spikes it. I've tested it.
I also know caffeine used to trigger full blown migraines.
I've put on 3kg since June. I've stopped doing judo and my rampant cycling has dropped right off.
So this week I've started running on the treadmill at work before starting. I've never done that before.
Also from tomorrow - no more daily bacon butties.
In the past 2 years I've gone from one a week to daily.
I also know caffeine used to trigger full blown migraines.
I've put on 3kg since June. I've stopped doing judo and my rampant cycling has dropped right off.
So this week I've started running on the treadmill at work before starting. I've never done that before.
Also from tomorrow - no more daily bacon butties.
In the past 2 years I've gone from one a week to daily.
General Price said:
Good luck CM,that is a bloody impressive reading.Do you feel ok in yourself?
Mine was 250/150 and I was having daily headaches and generally felt very unwell. The doctor who originally tested me thought their machine was broken until they got 3 readings the same, and I was advised I was very lucky not to have had a heart attack / stroke.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
TameRacingDriver said:
General Price said:
Good luck CM,that is a bloody impressive reading.Do you feel ok in yourself?
Mine was 250/150 and I was having daily headaches and generally felt very unwell. The doctor who originally tested me thought their machine was broken until they got 3 readings the same, and I was advised I was very lucky not to have had a heart attack / stroke.TameRacingDriver said:
Mine was 250/150 and I was having daily headaches and generally felt very unwell. The doctor who originally tested me thought their machine was broken until they got 3 readings the same, and I was advised I was very lucky not to have had a heart attack / stroke.
Mine were around there when I initially got diagnosed. I was young(ish), fit and healthy too. Bit of it running in the family (got my Mothers bp and my Fathers receding hairline 
) and a bit of extra pressure at work apparently. Pills, cutting right back on caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods, cake and walking the dog twice a day have got it down to a manageable level. 98elise said:
TameRacingDriver said:
General Price said:
Good luck CM,that is a bloody impressive reading.Do you feel ok in yourself?
Mine was 250/150 and I was having daily headaches and generally felt very unwell. The doctor who originally tested me thought their machine was broken until they got 3 readings the same, and I was advised I was very lucky not to have had a heart attack / stroke.Red9zero said:
Mine were around there when I initially got diagnosed. I was young(ish), fit and healthy too. Bit of it running in the family (got my Mothers bp and my Fathers receding hairline ) and a bit of extra pressure at work apparently. Pills, cutting right back on caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods, cake and walking the dog twice a day have got it down to a manageable level.
Mine runs in the family too but I was also diagnosed with severe sleep apnoea which I'm now using a CPAP. I'm also overweight, not hugely fit and drink too much. I'm addressing this now, so will be interesting to see if it gets any better but I doubt I'll ever be able to stop the medication.) and a bit of extra pressure at work apparently. Pills, cutting right back on caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods, cake and walking the dog twice a day have got it down to a manageable level. 
I just did my BP and it was 150/98/43(p). I then did it another 5 times and eventually got it down to 139/89/45
I find relaxing and focussing on breathing makes it lower. The first couple of times are always high. Might be worth trying for those that have high readings?
Edit eventually got it down to 128/80/41. Have a blocked IVC and lots of old blood clots so no idea if that affects things but if i crouch down i nearly faint and so if i lie flat i can get a lower BP
48m, nonsmoker, drink too much but mtb 40 miles a week.
I find relaxing and focussing on breathing makes it lower. The first couple of times are always high. Might be worth trying for those that have high readings?
Edit eventually got it down to 128/80/41. Have a blocked IVC and lots of old blood clots so no idea if that affects things but if i crouch down i nearly faint and so if i lie flat i can get a lower BP
48m, nonsmoker, drink too much but mtb 40 miles a week.
Edited by bmwmike on Wednesday 15th November 12:29
I've been on Meds for 30 years, first picked up when I used to compete in sport. I was in my early 20's, body fat in single digits, and a pulse of 38.
All courtesy of my mother, hyper familial blood pressure linked in as part of familial hypercholesterolemia. Her dad died late 50's, she lost a brother at about the same age. Her other brothers have both had bypass surgery. So far, my plaque levels are under control, which keeps everything else inline.
Plenty of things can affect it, it's not always diet, salt, booze, weight, stress etc.
All courtesy of my mother, hyper familial blood pressure linked in as part of familial hypercholesterolemia. Her dad died late 50's, she lost a brother at about the same age. Her other brothers have both had bypass surgery. So far, my plaque levels are under control, which keeps everything else inline.
Plenty of things can affect it, it's not always diet, salt, booze, weight, stress etc.
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