Blood pressure
Discussion
TameRacingDriver said:
Dunno why but in this situation I'm reminded of Steve Jobs who decided he'd try and cure his cancer the natural way before trying the more established methods. That didn't work out too well for him. Extreme example I know. If I'd waited and tried to cure my BP naturally I may not be writing this message.
Same here. I take quite a few pills for various things and it does get a bit of a chore sometimes. I asked my doctor what would happen if I stopped taking them and he just said "You would die". So I carried on taking them 
but it's true!mickythefish said:
Some people like pills, some don't. I'm not really a fan of how the medical drugs industry works. I would rather do exercise, fasting, eat better then take a pill first.
I'm not convinced anyone really likes pills but they're sometimes a necessary evil.Without the advances in medication we have today, the life expectancy would likely be considerably lower than it is now.
I agree with you that it's best to try and live the best life you can without relying on them, but as this thread shows, sometimes some people have no choice, if they want to live a reasonably long life.
mickythefish said:
Some people like pills, some don't. I'm not really a fan of how the medical drugs industry works. I would rather do exercise, fasting, eat better then take a pill first.
I hate taking pills - but I do so that I don't die prematurely. Many with high BP find that it's hereditary - whatever you do with your weight or exercise won't then have sufficient effect.mickythefish said:
Some people like pills, some don't. I'm not really a fan of how the medical drugs industry works. I would rather do exercise, fasting, eat better then take a pill first.
And that's a good position to take. But you didn't, so now you need the medication. If you start doing that, you might eventually not need the pills anymore.I hit 40 in a few weeks. I exercise pretty much every day, don't smoke, eat well. Etc. Every other year we have a medical check up at work.
Last two times for me, everything has been fully in the 'green' apart from blood pressure. A few years ago it was 146/91 (red colour code). This year (early November) it was 142/82. Red colour code for systolic, green for diastolic.
It was bothering me so I bought an NHS and BHF approved blood pressure monitor for at home. I did it a few evenings ago and it was around 118/70 (average across 3 readings).
I'm not really sure where I stand, clearly in the office despite feeling fine I'm getting fairly high readings, but at home all seems okay. Maybe it's the so called white coat syndrome.
My main concern is that I'm not really sure what more I can do lifestyle wise.
Last two times for me, everything has been fully in the 'green' apart from blood pressure. A few years ago it was 146/91 (red colour code). This year (early November) it was 142/82. Red colour code for systolic, green for diastolic.
It was bothering me so I bought an NHS and BHF approved blood pressure monitor for at home. I did it a few evenings ago and it was around 118/70 (average across 3 readings).
I'm not really sure where I stand, clearly in the office despite feeling fine I'm getting fairly high readings, but at home all seems okay. Maybe it's the so called white coat syndrome.
My main concern is that I'm not really sure what more I can do lifestyle wise.
Speed1283 said:
I hit 40 in a few weeks. I exercise pretty much every day, don't smoke, eat well. Etc. Every other year we have a medical check up at work.
Last two times for me, everything has been fully in the 'green' apart from blood pressure. A few years ago it was 146/91 (red colour code). This year (early November) it was 142/82. Red colour code for systolic, green for diastolic.
It was bothering me so I bought an NHS and BHF approved blood pressure monitor for at home. I did it a few evenings ago and it was around 118/70 (average across 3 readings).
I'm not really sure where I stand, clearly in the office despite feeling fine I'm getting fairly high readings, but at home all seems okay. Maybe it's the so called white coat syndrome.
My main concern is that I'm not really sure what more I can do lifestyle wise.
My BP is always way higher when taken by a Dr simply down to stress/anxiety of the situation. My home readings are usually more borderline high but I often take an average of 3 readings in morning as well as evening when BP is normally higher for most folk. I'd love to be down to 18/70 - 130's/80's are more my style these days with some light meds Last two times for me, everything has been fully in the 'green' apart from blood pressure. A few years ago it was 146/91 (red colour code). This year (early November) it was 142/82. Red colour code for systolic, green for diastolic.
It was bothering me so I bought an NHS and BHF approved blood pressure monitor for at home. I did it a few evenings ago and it was around 118/70 (average across 3 readings).
I'm not really sure where I stand, clearly in the office despite feeling fine I'm getting fairly high readings, but at home all seems okay. Maybe it's the so called white coat syndrome.
My main concern is that I'm not really sure what more I can do lifestyle wise.
I have an appointment to see a doctor at 8:30 this evening (yes, 8:30pm!) after having my BP checked during a catch up with the nurse earlier today.
She clearly didn’t like what she saw and I’m pretty sure I’m going to end up on some sort of medication. I’m 44, fit and healthy and eat well. I’ve put on a bit of weight after a cycling accident earlier in the year laid me up for three months but I’m not exactly a bloater and exercise 4-5 times a week.
Probably drink a bit too much so could cut that down but can’t really see any significant lifestyle changes I can make.
Let’s see what the doctor has to say…
She clearly didn’t like what she saw and I’m pretty sure I’m going to end up on some sort of medication. I’m 44, fit and healthy and eat well. I’ve put on a bit of weight after a cycling accident earlier in the year laid me up for three months but I’m not exactly a bloater and exercise 4-5 times a week.
Probably drink a bit too much so could cut that down but can’t really see any significant lifestyle changes I can make.
Let’s see what the doctor has to say…
Had my annual review a week or so ago, forgot they would do blood pressure so didn’t spend 30 minutes relaxing in the waiting room first.
Nurse gets out the little battery powered machine and, lo -it is high, they will need to put me on medication…... Tries again and it is lower. I comment that the previous senior doctor in the partnership once commented that those machines are not always reliable so she tries the old fashioned hand pumped machine - be normal!
I one had it measured there as very high (little electric machine) and three hours later in pre-op on the surgery standard machine in a hospital it was normal!
What really scares me is that they prescribe medication based on inaccurate readings.
Nurse gets out the little battery powered machine and, lo -it is high, they will need to put me on medication…... Tries again and it is lower. I comment that the previous senior doctor in the partnership once commented that those machines are not always reliable so she tries the old fashioned hand pumped machine - be normal!
I one had it measured there as very high (little electric machine) and three hours later in pre-op on the surgery standard machine in a hospital it was normal!
What really scares me is that they prescribe medication based on inaccurate readings.
lauda said:
I have an appointment to see a doctor at 8:30 this evening (yes, 8:30pm!) after having my BP checked during a catch up with the nurse earlier today.
She clearly didn’t like what she saw and I’m pretty sure I’m going to end up on some sort of medication. I’m 44, fit and healthy and eat well. I’ve put on a bit of weight after a cycling accident earlier in the year laid me up for three months but I’m not exactly a bloater and exercise 4-5 times a week.
Probably drink a bit too much so could cut that down but can’t really see any significant lifestyle changes I can make.
Let’s see what the doctor has to say…
Despite the general opinion on this thread, high BP isn’t always due to lifestyle factors unfortunately. It often is but if you have a healthy lifestyle then don’t beat yourself up for your genes, some things are out of our control. She clearly didn’t like what she saw and I’m pretty sure I’m going to end up on some sort of medication. I’m 44, fit and healthy and eat well. I’ve put on a bit of weight after a cycling accident earlier in the year laid me up for three months but I’m not exactly a bloater and exercise 4-5 times a week.
Probably drink a bit too much so could cut that down but can’t really see any significant lifestyle changes I can make.
Let’s see what the doctor has to say…
I’m lucky to be a similar age to you and have normal BP, if was consistently raised I’d start anti hypertensives immediately alongside trying non medical treatments such as lifestyle.
https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.10...
''The single strongest characteristic found to date in Mendelian hypertension is the role of mechanisms influencing volume homeostasis. All except one form have been so-called “salt-sensitive” forms of hypertension. In these forms, changes in dietary salt intake have a great influence on blood pressure''
''The single strongest characteristic found to date in Mendelian hypertension is the role of mechanisms influencing volume homeostasis. All except one form have been so-called “salt-sensitive” forms of hypertension. In these forms, changes in dietary salt intake have a great influence on blood pressure''
mickythefish said:
https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.10...
''The single strongest characteristic found to date in Mendelian hypertension is the role of mechanisms influencing volume homeostasis. All except one form have been so-called “salt-sensitive” forms of hypertension. In these forms, changes in dietary salt intake have a great influence on blood pressure''
You'll be good then, you've self-diagnosed so no need for pills.''The single strongest characteristic found to date in Mendelian hypertension is the role of mechanisms influencing volume homeostasis. All except one form have been so-called “salt-sensitive” forms of hypertension. In these forms, changes in dietary salt intake have a great influence on blood pressure''
mickythefish said:
Bonefish Blues said:
You'll be good then, you've self-diagnosed so no need for pills.
It was one test, I will test again, I don't ring up the gp at the drop of a hat when I can just make a few changes myself. just my thoughts everyone is different.Badda said:
lauda said:
I have an appointment to see a doctor at 8:30 this evening (yes, 8:30pm!) after having my BP checked during a catch up with the nurse earlier today.
She clearly didn’t like what she saw and I’m pretty sure I’m going to end up on some sort of medication. I’m 44, fit and healthy and eat well. I’ve put on a bit of weight after a cycling accident earlier in the year laid me up for three months but I’m not exactly a bloater and exercise 4-5 times a week.
Probably drink a bit too much so could cut that down but can’t really see any significant lifestyle changes I can make.
Let’s see what the doctor has to say…
Despite the general opinion on this thread, high BP isn’t always due to lifestyle factors unfortunately. It often is but if you have a healthy lifestyle then don’t beat yourself up for your genes, some things are out of our control. She clearly didn’t like what she saw and I’m pretty sure I’m going to end up on some sort of medication. I’m 44, fit and healthy and eat well. I’ve put on a bit of weight after a cycling accident earlier in the year laid me up for three months but I’m not exactly a bloater and exercise 4-5 times a week.
Probably drink a bit too much so could cut that down but can’t really see any significant lifestyle changes I can make.
Let’s see what the doctor has to say…
I’m lucky to be a similar age to you and have normal BP, if was consistently raised I’d start anti hypertensives immediately alongside trying non medical treatments such as lifestyle.
She didn’t give me a hard time about my honest assessment of my alcohol intake although told me what already knew about cutting it back.
I probably should have mentioned in my original post that I suffered a stroke in 2013 (although not linked to any underlying health issue) so I’m well up the risk spectrum.
Let’s see how it goes.
IJWS15 said:
Had my annual review a week or so ago, forgot they would do blood pressure so didn’t spend 30 minutes relaxing in the waiting room first.
Nurse gets out the little battery powered machine and, lo -it is high, they will need to put me on medication…... Tries again and it is lower. I comment that the previous senior doctor in the partnership once commented that those machines are not always reliable so she tries the old fashioned hand pumped machine - be normal!
I one had it measured there as very high (little electric machine) and three hours later in pre-op on the surgery standard machine in a hospital it was normal!
What really scares me is that they prescribe medication based on inaccurate readings.
I'd be surprised if the machines are inaccurate. If that was the case they simply wouldn't use them. Mine is a cheap one and is fine.Nurse gets out the little battery powered machine and, lo -it is high, they will need to put me on medication…... Tries again and it is lower. I comment that the previous senior doctor in the partnership once commented that those machines are not always reliable so she tries the old fashioned hand pumped machine - be normal!
I one had it measured there as very high (little electric machine) and three hours later in pre-op on the surgery standard machine in a hospital it was normal!
What really scares me is that they prescribe medication based on inaccurate readings.
Your pressure changes all the time. You need to take it a number of times to get a proper level, and make sure you are relaxed and sitting properly. Mine is always high the first reading I take. It a bit of anxiety that it's going to be bad. Once the first one is done it drops down quite a bit.
The machines are inaccurate at times. They shouldn't really be prescribing based on a few readings. NICE guidelines do suggest that patients should be offered a 24 hour Ambulatory blood pressure monitor.
This test measures your BP every half an hour day and night and as they cost £1K are far more accurate.
They give an average of 24-hour readings, a day time readings and night time readings.
Surgeries have them, as do many pharmacies where you can be referred to, to have a fitting.
This service has been in place for years, and why practices are not referring patients into it is beyond me.
Total postcode lottery of care.
This test measures your BP every half an hour day and night and as they cost £1K are far more accurate.
They give an average of 24-hour readings, a day time readings and night time readings.
Surgeries have them, as do many pharmacies where you can be referred to, to have a fitting.
This service has been in place for years, and why practices are not referring patients into it is beyond me.
Total postcode lottery of care.
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