Blood pressure help
Discussion
I've never had a problem with my BP but had it checked at work on friday and it was 140/80 which I was advised was high and concerning.
Checked this morning and its 135/85 so getting better, but question is:
What should it be?
(I'm 39 male, non smoker)
What can I do to get it down?
What can cause high bp?
Checked this morning and its 135/85 so getting better, but question is:
What should it be?
(I'm 39 male, non smoker)
What can I do to get it down?
What can cause high bp?
The usual stuff: change of diet, exercise, de-stress.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=What+can+cause+hi...
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=What+can+cause+hi...
I've had ^BP for ages, first of all I'd suggest you see your own doctor, your readings are not that high. There has been quite a lot in the press recently about people being treated for high blood pressure when they dont really have it. After studies they have found that a lot of BP tests give a high false reading due to the stress of actually having the test in the first place. The only way to get a true reading is to be fitted with a 24hr monitor which will catch you at unstressed time giving a truer reading.
As mentioned the usual fixes are, less stress, reduce salt/calorie intake and excercise. I found the salt made a huge difference to me but I still need a low dose of BP tabs.
As mentioned the usual fixes are, less stress, reduce salt/calorie intake and excercise. I found the salt made a huge difference to me but I still need a low dose of BP tabs.
I reckon it could be fast cars and too many cakes...! but seriously I've had high blood pressure for years and am on 2 lots of tablets - I have a couple of years on you but my BP is now similar to yours with the medication and the doctors think it's great at this level. They have only really been concerned when the low number gets up to 90 - 100.
Cupramax is right - I wore a 24 hour monitor and when at home it was fine - only after driving, being at my old stressful job and going to the doctors did it rise!
My doctor rates the 'home' testers but only the ones that fit on your upper arm ... not the wrist ones - might be worth investing in one just to get some true readings.
Cupramax is right - I wore a 24 hour monitor and when at home it was fine - only after driving, being at my old stressful job and going to the doctors did it rise!
My doctor rates the 'home' testers but only the ones that fit on your upper arm ... not the wrist ones - might be worth investing in one just to get some true readings.
toplessjan said:
I reckon it could be fast cars and too many cakes...! but seriously I've had high blood pressure for years and am on 2 lots of tablets - I have a couple of years on you but my BP is now similar to yours with the medication and the doctors think it's great at this level. They have only really been concerned when the low number gets up to 90 - 100.
Cupramax is right - I wore a 24 hour monitor and when at home it was fine - only after driving, being at my old stressful job and going to the doctors did it rise!
My doctor rates the 'home' testers but only the ones that fit on your upper arm ... not the wrist ones - might be worth investing in one just to get some true readings.
ha ha, thanks Jan, you could be right about the cars & cake!!! thanks for the advise.Cupramax is right - I wore a 24 hour monitor and when at home it was fine - only after driving, being at my old stressful job and going to the doctors did it rise!
My doctor rates the 'home' testers but only the ones that fit on your upper arm ... not the wrist ones - might be worth investing in one just to get some true readings.
Unless you have other cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes, central obesity, family history of heart disease, high cholesterol etc) then your readings are nothing to worry about. According to government/NICE guidelines anyway.
http://www.nice.org.uk/CG034
Anything between 120/80 and 140/90 is what the Americans class as 'pre-hypertension' and would not be treated by medication.
Other ways to keep your blood pressure down are the obvious ones:
Reduce your salt intake, lose weight, exercise more, reduce alcohol and tobacco consumption, and the biggie imo, keep your stress levels low (hormones like cortisol do nasty things to our body).
http://www.nice.org.uk/CG034
Anything between 120/80 and 140/90 is what the Americans class as 'pre-hypertension' and would not be treated by medication.
Other ways to keep your blood pressure down are the obvious ones:
Reduce your salt intake, lose weight, exercise more, reduce alcohol and tobacco consumption, and the biggie imo, keep your stress levels low (hormones like cortisol do nasty things to our body).
140/80 is borderline but still within normal range. If you have diabetes then you'll want it less than 130/80
Make sure are nice and relaxed before measuring your blood pressure, if you are at work and have been running around etc that could send the BP up.
Reducing salt intake is probably the most important lifestyle change to bring down the BP, because salt tells your kidneys to retain fluid and thus increases your blood pressure.
Other changes you can make are increasing exercise, reduce weight if you are overweight, also have a low fat diet.
Source: Final year medical student procrastinating during revision!
Make sure are nice and relaxed before measuring your blood pressure, if you are at work and have been running around etc that could send the BP up.
Reducing salt intake is probably the most important lifestyle change to bring down the BP, because salt tells your kidneys to retain fluid and thus increases your blood pressure.
Other changes you can make are increasing exercise, reduce weight if you are overweight, also have a low fat diet.
Source: Final year medical student procrastinating during revision!
As already mentioned - get a home- tester. Whenever I had my BP checked at the doctor, it was normally after a spirited drive, so ws always on the higher side of normal. Since having a home-tester, I check it regularly, and it's rarely as high as what is was at the docs. In fact when I'm rested, it's about 125/75, so fairly normal. I too believe that the docs/nurses seem to focus there being an issue when there really isn't one.
135/85 at basically 40 years old is nothing to be afraid of.
before they start saying that they need to ask how long had you rested prior to having it taken, were you sitting or lying down when it was taken, did they take pressure from both arms, how many times have you had it taken, were you particularly stressed on those days, had you recently eaten, recently taken any caffeine, done any exercise (even just walking!) etc.
i wouldn't be concerned, just keep an eye on it.
before they start saying that they need to ask how long had you rested prior to having it taken, were you sitting or lying down when it was taken, did they take pressure from both arms, how many times have you had it taken, were you particularly stressed on those days, had you recently eaten, recently taken any caffeine, done any exercise (even just walking!) etc.
i wouldn't be concerned, just keep an eye on it.
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