Lowering High Blood Pressure

[coccinelle]

I've just been diagnosed with a very high blood pressure reading (22 over 10!) As I'm not at all overweight and physically active this doesn't concern my doctor as he feels it's due to bereavemant and having to cope on my own. He does advise me to keep on top of this by popping in to monitor it or in buying or renting something to monitor this. I have a healthy diet other than a few glasses of wine which I'll now be cutting down on but are there other ways of bringing this down. I don't want to be put on medication.

[yelenots]

I was diagnosed with high bp a couple of months ago and had to wear a monitor for 24hrs so the Dr could get at least 13 readings from it and then take an average. I have been on put on 2mg tablets which I have been taking since 1st Feb. I have been back to have it checked once and it was lower. I go again next week!
Like you I am only 51 and eat sensibly and I don't drink. I personally think its stress related due to the health my elderly mother. I didn't want to be put of tablets for the rest of my life but if it saves me from having a stroke or heart attack its worth it......only 1 tiny tablet each morning! I used to have bad headaches too and they seems to have stopped!

[Sqad]

Oh! dear oh! dear! We did get our " knickers in a twist" last night...didn't we.........William Harvey would be turning in his grave.

The obligatory websites for BP...what would we do without them?
"BP sounds like a corpse"

"To get mmHg from KPa you have to multiply by 7.5 "

ttfn has given the best answer so far.

If your BP is as high as you have mentioned, then diet alone will have nothing to offer......you will need medication.

However, the suggestion that you monitor it over a period of perhaps a month is a good idea

[Sqad]

PS yelenots has summed it up perfectly in her post above.

[coccinelle]

Thanks yelenots & sqad. The doctor did ask if I get headaches and blurred vision which I don't though looking back, on the odd occasion but last something like 3 minutes. Breathing exercises might help me to relax more.
I'm a bit frightened of medication but of course if it will save me from a stroke that would be worth it. i've heard of people being completely phased out on some, so if it does come to that and it probably will, I hope it'll be something with very few side effects.

[ethandron]

Coccinelle, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure twelve years ago, it only came to light during pre op tests. Headaches are rarely a symptom, it's usually completely symptomless and known as a silent killer.
I too don't like taking medication so fully appreciate how you feel but unfortunately as we get older things like high blood pressure are more likely to affect us and we need to do something about it.
The only side effect I've ever had from my meds was a dry cough which I put up with and which settled down after a few months. Given your healthy eating and lifestyle I'd be very surprised if you're able to bring down your blood pressure without meds. I look at it this way...I'd rather know about and and take meds than not know and die of a stroke.
Good luck :)
Eth x

[coccinelle]

thanks eth. Hope you're doing well? Any trips to France forecast this year? I remember Mam having a dry cough with her meds. I wonder why that happens...

[ethandron]

Yes, I've wondered why the cough. Each of the three times my meds have been increased the cough has started up again too. I take ramipril and it is apparently a well known side effect, annoying rather than anything else although I believe it annoys some people enough for them to change meds.
I'm good thanks coccinelle, no trips to France though as we've got rid of our tourer, himself had had enough of all the driving. We'd been doing it for years and years so I can't say I blame him although I do miss it.
What about you, how're you getting on? Just been reading back and I see it's been over two years since your dear husband died, how time flies. Is it getting any easier, has life rearranged itself yet? When my mum and my sister died it took me a good two years to even begin to start feeling anything like 'normal' again, I hope you have some bright moments in your days coccinelle. xx

[coccinelle]

Thank you eth. I think this high blood pressure is really down to stress and anxiety as living on your own and having to keep on top of things yourself isn't easy. I maybe try to do too much and too well. I should relax more and take a more laid back approach but there always seems to be so much to keep up with. A family wedding to look forward to this summer so that'll bring me back to the UK for a few days.
Take care