High Blood Pressure

[Islay]

Had my B12 injection this morning and whilst there the nurse took my BP reading - apparently the bottom reading was 109 and didn't go down no matter how many times she took it!
She is speaking to the doctor this afternoon but in the mean time I am booked in for a 24 hour test next week.
Is the reading high?
What is the 24 tape test that she mentioned?
What can I do to get my blood pressure down?

[Old_Geezer]

Keep away from news sites and AB for a start.
Beetroot juice is supposed to help; ironically weight loss helps too. But were I you I'd wait until the tests are over and then take whatever's prescribed.

[Sqad]

"What is the 24 tape test that she mentioned? "

Never heard of it.

The bottom reading is high......and needs further investigation as described and prescribed by you GP to see if it is a one off OR sustained.
If it is the latter.....then you will need drugs to get it down.

[Jackdaw33]

High BP is infinitely preferable to Low BP. I have had both. The former can be easily controlled by medication, the latter can not.

[Islay]

Should have typed 24 hours tape test!!
Thanks all - can't do beetroot juice gives me chronic heartburn.
Guess I will have to wait till next Thursday!

[Garaman]

They will attach a device to you for 24 hours and look at the results.

[237SJ]

Maybe the tape is the belt you wear around your waist during the test http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/BloodPressureandyou/Medicaltests/24-hourtest

[Islay]

OK Garaman thank you - do I have to keep it on whilst sleeping?

[anneasquith]

Waist ? Upper arm I think .

[Garaman]

Yes.

[Islay]

OK thanks all - freaking out a bit now!

[rowanwitch]

Chances are at home your blood pressure will be lower anyway. The 24 hour monitor is a standard bP cuff around your arm that will operate automatically at intervals during the whole 24 hours. They call it a tape simply because the old machines gave the results on a strip of paper. Now they upload usually wirelessly to a pc. Much better than having a few readings the conventional method and safer if there is a chance medication will be started based on the results.

[237SJ]

aa "It uses a small digital machine that is attached to a belt around your body" (from the link)

[ducksie]

Islay, don't freak out or worry, I only had that test a few weeks ago, it's ok, it's just the bp sleeve on your upper left arm connected to a monitor clipped on with a belt, at first it goes off every 20 mins (mine did anyway) and come nightfall, it goes to every hour, I rem my neighbour (in my old house) getting it, she was a divil, you're supposed to carry on as normal what you usually be doing on that day, I'll always rem my neighbour took to the bed to relax. She was so relaxed and the reading so unlike what they expected, they called her back a month later - it's harmless, after a little while you'll get used to it on your arm, maybe you have white coat syndrome ;)

[Bazile]

There is nothing to freak out, about the 24 hour BP test .

They will place a cuff on your upper arm which is attached to a small machine , which is placed in a pouch and hung by a sling around your shoulder , so the machine hangs by your side .

The cuff will inflate at whatever interval it's set to so do and the BP reading will be taken .
The idea is to go about your normal daily activities over the 24 hour period .

You can't have a shower or a bath while the device is in place ( obviously )

[Bazile]

i see others have posted since i saw your post

[Islay]

Its been high on and off for 6 months but never this high and never that they have considered medication!
Thought it was supposed to be healthy losing weight!

[Hopkirk]

Cut out salt and increase your exercise.

If you smoke, stop now.

Possibly reduce your caffeine intake.

However this alone may not be enough.

In my case I have to take a tablet every day, but you shouldn't rely on this alone.

[Islay]

2 coffee a day and 8 ciggies - tbh I would hate to have to give up any of them as they really are my 'treats'

[Hopkirk]

Keep the coffee, ditch the tags.

[Hopkirk]

... fags.