How can I lower blood pressure quickly

CarJack

Hello all, perhaps this is not the best site to post here regarding medical advice but guess its worth it because there is a lot of 'cyber footfall' on MSE.

Anyway here is my query.

I have a medical coming up to join the fire service, as a reserve, it is something I would love to do, I am all set to join pending my medical. I have already had my medical but I was told my Blood Pressure is slightly elevated, 145/75 or there about. Essentially, I feel that this was due to nervousness and anxiety, the nurses felt that too, however they want me to come in again next week and they want to take another reading of my blood pressure, as this position would be something I would love to gain, I was wondering is there anything I can do, short term, to reduce my blood pressure just before the reading, I understand certain foods etc can help. Guys any suggestions or advice?

In addition, I don't smoke or drink and my aerobic capacity is apparently excellent.

Thank you in advance.

tanith

If as you suggest you have 'white coat syndrome' then there really isn't much you can do about other than try and be more relaxed about the whole thing.
Having said that beetroot is supposed to be affective you could try it I guess..

A.Penny.Saved

I get that myself, frequently elevated when the Doc takes it but otherwise it is quite low at around 110/65 and sometimes even lower, diastolic has been below 60 at times.

You could try some relaxation exercises or self hypnosis. Relaxing your legs helps lower blood pressure. Imagine relaxation travelling down your legs or other imagery to help relaxation. That would help counter any nervousness raising your BP.

Lay off any added salt for a few days before the medical.

Many things for BP will only help if it is high due to disease. I don't think it will have much effect if it is due to anxiety.

Nattokinase is meant to have some BP lowering ability due to it's ability to inhibit angiotensin that increases BP. However that may only work if there is a raised BP due to something other than tension/anxiety.

Serrapeptase can remove arterial deposits, break up fibrin and open up the circulation and so can Nattokinase, although the effect is weaker. Don't expect these to have magical powers and overcome anxiety!

NigeWick

CarJack wrote: »

I was wondering is there anything I can do, short term, to reduce my blood pressure just before the reading

Have a look at this:- http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/beet-your-way-back-healthier-body-2?utm_source=www.GreenMedInfo.com&utm_campaign=cf69650e3b-Greenmedinfo&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_193c8492fb-cf69650e3b-86849901

theoretica

Exercise can have a short term effect on blood pressure - it goes up when you exercise, then when you stop exercising your heart stops working so hard but your blood vessels are still dilated, so your blood pressure is lower. Evercise half an hour to an hour before the blood pressure test seems the timing for most effect.
http://hyper.ahajournals.org/content/18/2/211.full.pdf

opnion2013

How to Quickly Lower Your Blood Pressure in Hour With Food or Water

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/396908-how-to-quickly-lower-your-blood-pressure-in-hour-with-food-or-water/#ixzz2f88revFo

boots_babe

If you have white coat syndrome, then not much is going to help. I am the same and know how frustrating it is.

If I were you, I would explain that you suffer from this, and that your BP will be artificially raised, and suggest that they instead allow you to do 24hr ambulatory monitoring i.e. they give you a monitor to wear as you go about your business at home, work etc. And it will give a truer reading of your 'normal' BP over time.

AHAR

Do something amazing - give blood.

cannyscot_2

if you search on google there is a hypnosis type cd/mp3 file you can buy online to reduce your blood pressure which if you got it asap and used it every night would probably help to reduce your anxiety and this drop your BP. I have done some testing recently and using the mp3 hypnosis suggestion to imagine my self lying on a beach you could see me go on the monitor from a high alert state to a very low blood pressure relaxed state. but you need to practise so start with a relax/lower blood pressure one asap

AlexLK

My doctor prescribed propanolol to help with the symptoms of anxiety, this is also meant to lower blood pressure, I believe.

beedeedee

Having a nice warm bath will help temporarily.