High blood pressure age 30
Discussion
Turns out I'm closer to death than I thought!
Over the last fortnight, since I randomly went on a healt test machine at work, my blood pressure has ranged from 135/95 to 149/105, I'm overweight (12st10 @ 5ft6) but not a total slob (can run a couple of miles at the drop of a hat, do pull ups, plank etc) but I do lead a sedentary lifestyle.
All my excess fat is on my belly, but I don't smoke, or eat a high salt diet, and rarely drink.
I have a family history of heart attacks, and am currently flapping that I'm not going to even see retirement.
Been to docs who have sent me for a blood test and to wear a blood pressure monitor for a while.
Do I need to start organising my funeral? Has anyone else been in a similar position and managed to reduce their bp to a healthy level without medication?
Over the last fortnight, since I randomly went on a healt test machine at work, my blood pressure has ranged from 135/95 to 149/105, I'm overweight (12st10 @ 5ft6) but not a total slob (can run a couple of miles at the drop of a hat, do pull ups, plank etc) but I do lead a sedentary lifestyle.
All my excess fat is on my belly, but I don't smoke, or eat a high salt diet, and rarely drink.
I have a family history of heart attacks, and am currently flapping that I'm not going to even see retirement.
Been to docs who have sent me for a blood test and to wear a blood pressure monitor for a while.
Do I need to start organising my funeral? Has anyone else been in a similar position and managed to reduce their bp to a healthy level without medication?
That awkward moment i'm hitting 18 stone and have just ordered a dominos for a night shift. Regret it already.
That said, i'm sure your bp can be bought down by increasing activity at least to half an hour a day walking. Mine was high due to weight so now I (thanks to ph) ride my bike to work every chance i get, joined up the local council swimming baths (better lifestyle ones are very good value) and generally keep active but my diet, at the moment is junk, so my weight loss is slower than should be. But starting monday i'm doing my own meal preps.
Good luck with it. I'm sure you'll be fine
That said, i'm sure your bp can be bought down by increasing activity at least to half an hour a day walking. Mine was high due to weight so now I (thanks to ph) ride my bike to work every chance i get, joined up the local council swimming baths (better lifestyle ones are very good value) and generally keep active but my diet, at the moment is junk, so my weight loss is slower than should be. But starting monday i'm doing my own meal preps.
Good luck with it. I'm sure you'll be fine
There are a lot of causes of high blood pressure. If you know what's causing yours you can start to target it. As well as excess weight:
Are you stressed?
Do you sleep well?
You could have a kidney problem e.g. http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-press...
Are you stressed?
Do you sleep well?
You could have a kidney problem e.g. http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-press...
I guess the blood test I'm going for will be to test for something kidney related.
Stress wise, I work shifts in a high pressure environment (live time life at risk scenarios on a regular basis) but I wouldn't describe myself as being stressed. I don't sit at home thinking about work for example
Sleep wise I think I get just enough, although the shifts + overtime coupled with a 2 year old do impact getting 7/8 hours on a regular basis.
Up until the first bp test I drank a lot of coffee (7/8 espressos a day) but I went cold turkey from that and it hasn't affected it in the slightest it appears
Stress wise, I work shifts in a high pressure environment (live time life at risk scenarios on a regular basis) but I wouldn't describe myself as being stressed. I don't sit at home thinking about work for example
Sleep wise I think I get just enough, although the shifts + overtime coupled with a 2 year old do impact getting 7/8 hours on a regular basis.
Up until the first bp test I drank a lot of coffee (7/8 espressos a day) but I went cold turkey from that and it hasn't affected it in the slightest it appears
My advice is to firstly buy your own machine. Some people, myself included, suffer white coat syndrome, and their BP shoots up at the mere thought of being tested. Testing at home when you're super relaxed may reveal better results.
I was recently diagnosed diabetic and suffering hypertension, but my own machine at home showed near perfect 120/80 every time. My doctor hooked me up to that machine that you wear for 24 hours that takes periodic measurements, and the results matched my own. In short, I'm not hypertensive, but every 'spot test' suggests that I am.
Also, don't panic. If you are hypertensive then it's better to know. Modern healthcare is wonderful
I was recently diagnosed diabetic and suffering hypertension, but my own machine at home showed near perfect 120/80 every time. My doctor hooked me up to that machine that you wear for 24 hours that takes periodic measurements, and the results matched my own. In short, I'm not hypertensive, but every 'spot test' suggests that I am.
Also, don't panic. If you are hypertensive then it's better to know. Modern healthcare is wonderful
Edited by Kenny Powers on Saturday 8th July 08:20
Kenny Powers said:
Some people, myself included, suffer white coat syndrome, and their BP shoots up at the mere thought of being tested. Testing at home when you're super relaxed may reveal better results.
I was recently diagnosed diabetic and suffering hypertension, but my own machine at home showed near perfect 120/80 every time. My doctor hooked me up to that machine that you wear for 24 hours that takes periodic measurements, and the results matched my own. In short, I'm not hypertensive, but every 'spot test' suggests that I am.
Also, don't panic. If you are hypertensive then it's better to know. Modern healthcare is wonderful
Did you get the correct blood pressure armband for your size? If you're a big guy you may need the bigger cuff otherwise your BP results will be higher than they should be. Classic error.I was recently diagnosed diabetic and suffering hypertension, but my own machine at home showed near perfect 120/80 every time. My doctor hooked me up to that machine that you wear for 24 hours that takes periodic measurements, and the results matched my own. In short, I'm not hypertensive, but every 'spot test' suggests that I am.
Also, don't panic. If you are hypertensive then it's better to know. Modern healthcare is wonderful
Edited by Kenny Powers on Saturday 8th July 08:20
(Edit so that it made sense!)
Edited by Depthhoar on Sunday 9th July 18:20
Those readings aren't anything to get too concerned about (it's the lower reading that's the more important of the two). If your readings stay high after a 24-hour ambulatory monitoring the doctor will probably prescribe some simple medication. You then need to just keep an eye on it. Get the weight/exercise/food intake sorted as necessary.
Dr Jekyll said:
A few years back high blood pressure was defined as something like > 160/95 so although it would be good to get yours down, it really isn't a crisis.
Agreed but the OP is right to not put his head in the sand. At 30yo, he's heading in the wrong direction so ideal to make the changes now and not look forward to a lifetime of meds. If you want a lower BP then lose some weight and start exercising. It really is that simple for most. If you don't want to do that then look forward to a BP that edges up each year until you're on a blister pack of meds.
Ask your local surgery if they have a hyper-tension nurse, if so make an appointment and see about getting a 12 hour cuff fitted, let them review the results and if medication is required take them.
Now the doctors / nurses may tell you that you will be on the medication for life and that 'may' be true, however as with the previous advice you can lower your own BP by being more healthy and getting fitter.
In addition to my own medication I have also started to make my own hibiscus cold pressed tea, basically it's hibiscus petals, left in a cold pressed container over night (9 - 12 hours) with some added honey to reduce the tartness of the taste (you may like it but for every 1.5l I make I add 5 tablespoons of honey, if you're going that route heat up some water, stir the honey in and then add more cold water and then add it to the jug). Drinking this over a prolonged period of time has shown it to reduce bp in some people (and I also prefer it to the taste of coke and definitely water).
As a side note, I am 130KG and am slowly starting to reduce my weight but its a struggle as I am definitely a person who lives to eat rather than one who eats to live.
Now the doctors / nurses may tell you that you will be on the medication for life and that 'may' be true, however as with the previous advice you can lower your own BP by being more healthy and getting fitter.
In addition to my own medication I have also started to make my own hibiscus cold pressed tea, basically it's hibiscus petals, left in a cold pressed container over night (9 - 12 hours) with some added honey to reduce the tartness of the taste (you may like it but for every 1.5l I make I add 5 tablespoons of honey, if you're going that route heat up some water, stir the honey in and then add more cold water and then add it to the jug). Drinking this over a prolonged period of time has shown it to reduce bp in some people (and I also prefer it to the taste of coke and definitely water).
As a side note, I am 130KG and am slowly starting to reduce my weight but its a struggle as I am definitely a person who lives to eat rather than one who eats to live.
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