high blood pressure

Happychappy

I would be interested in what readings people have who are diagnosed with high blood pressure or hypertension and when an individual gp does something about it such as in this case signing someone off, or admitting someone to hospital as another poster described? I wonder if there is a consistent approach to this problem by gp's

My gp diagnosed me as having hypertension about 2 years ago and prescribed lisinopril and zimvastatin, my bp is regularly around 180/85 and has been 200/105 but nothing changes with the gp's concerns?

I work in a pretty stressful environment, play golf and generally watch my diet, salt etc, so might try the celery munching ; )

noonesperfect

Wow that's pretty high Happychappy!

My OH regularly has around 160/104 mark (1st number has peaked 200+ on occasion) his GP has just doubled the dose of medication though as it didn't seem to be working well. Doesn't do much to help himself (smokes and sedentary), though he avoids salt like the plague. His diet isn't too bad but could do with much more fruit and veges.

waggys

Hi, my husband was suffering from elevated bp and I did loads of reading up on alternative therapies. He now eats one square of dark chocolate a day (must be 70% cocoa or more). There have been quite a few studies on the benefits of dark chocolate on bp and if you google it, you will be able to find them. It takes up to about 6 weeks for the effects to be noticeable (so they say), but in combination with regular exercise, low gi diet, and a bit of red wine it all helps.

suki1964

Happychappy wrote: »

I would be interested in what readings people have who are diagnosed with high blood pressure or hypertension and when an individual gp does something about it such as in this case signing someone off, or admitting someone to hospital as another poster described? I wonder if there is a consistent approach to this problem by gp's

My gp diagnosed me as having hypertension about 2 years ago and prescribed lisinopril and zimvastatin, my bp is regularly around 180/85 and has been 200/105 but nothing changes with the gp's concerns?

I work in a pretty stressful environment, play golf and generally watch my diet, salt etc, so might try the celery munching ; )

At the time my Gp and the works Doctor were getting constant readings of around the 280/180 mark. My BP was so high that even when they done the 24/hr testing the machine had to be recalibrated for me as the settings just didnt go high enough I was signed off and admitted as according the the AE consultant, I was a few points off having a a stroke

I think that as you say you are getting regular readings of 180/85 that your Gp is just saying thats a bench mark for you. Constant higher then s/he may start to get concerned but as you say you are only getting the occasional higher reading which is probably white coat syndrome.

For me a complete U turn in my way of life has reduced my BP to a point where not only do I no longer need medication, its often double checked as being on the low side - for me. The weight loss (two stone), stopping all alcohol, reducing salt to as little as possible, cutting out as many processed foods as possible, upping exercise and finally giving up smoking (touch wood) have all played their part. But I have to admit to also being able to give up a very stressful job and commute every day - that was I think the biggest help. Alas that's not an option for everyone

samanthag

my bp when i went just over a week ago was 220/125 which is why she signed me off

when i went last wednesday it was 207/115 then when i went on friday it was 180/115 so as you can see it has come down slightly but not enough
i have had all the blood test done and they all came back normal even my cholestoral level which was 4.6

i have to do a 24 hour collection of urine now

the doctor thinks that there might be some underlying problem as she says my bp is being very stubborn

i have to go back now next friday to have it checked again

she has signed me of work for another 2 weeks so we will see what happens i shall keep you all posted
sammy

keelykat

My gp and nurse couldnt come up with anything for me!

luckily-as i knew it was stress related, i slowly learnt how to manage it. But to be honest my part time job at the time wasnt helping, funny how since i quit its been much lower!

My bp first shot up when i had a bad split with an ex, it soon came down once he was out of my life. The second time it went up, i had lost my family cat, got married and moved house in the space of a month or so-no wonder i was stressed out! Add the bad job, its a wonder it didnt go any higher.

Its steadily been going down, as ive dealt with problems ie job and setled into my new home. But i've still had to go on medication, which i can't come off now. Id rather be on meds and alive, then risk without and die of heart attack i guess. You never know though-one day they may tell me i can come off them afterall.

keely.

sandy2_2

Some people are just disposed to high blood pressure, it's normal for them. My Dr said I was a well Hypertensive, no headaches, weight etc all ok.
Sometime you can suffer with 'white coat syndrome' ie blood pressure increases when you go to the Dr.

Ted_Hutchinson

Mr Rush reminded us in message 7 in this thread that losing weight lowers blood pressure.

I thought it was about time to see if my weightloss to date has had an impact on my BP

I started on 23rd Jan at 14st 9lbs and blood pressure 131 - 80
I'm now 12st 8lbs and blood pressure is 106 -65

mr_rush

At the time my Gp and the works Doctor were getting constant readings of around the 280/180 mark. My BP was so high that even when they done the 24/hr testing the machine had to be recalibrated for me as the settings just didnt go high enough I was signed off and admitted as according the the AE consultant, I was a few points off having a a stroke

That is very high and luckily also very rare. I'm glad that it is down to normal.
Ted: congratulations on your weight loss and BP reduction.

suki1964

mr_rush wrote: »

At the time my Gp and the works Doctor were getting constant readings of around the 280/180 mark. My BP was so high that even when they done the 24/hr testing the machine had to be recalibrated for me as the settings just didnt go high enough I was signed off and admitted as according the the AE consultant, I was a few points off having a a stroke

That is very high and luckily also very rare. I'm glad that it is down to normal.
Ted: congratulations on your weight loss and BP reduction.

I think it was pretty normal where I worked - NHS