Blood pressure & Nhs health check

I have a friend who had a b/p check at a chemist and before she knew it was in hospital being sorted out. Last time I heard from her she’d lost loads of weight and was no longer on all the medication. My advice would be to take whatever medication your doctor advises but have a good look at your diet and make a few adjustments. I’m saying this as someone that is currently refusing statins but if it was my b/p I’d have a different mindset. Good luck.

Silvershadow, certainly it is a good idea to look at your weight and lifestyle when diagnosed with high BP, but, if you are prescribed medication, please take it.
Very high BP can make one susceptible to strokes, with potentially life- changing results

See what the days readings are. After having mine taken at a health check I was put on a 24hr monitor. Mine were acceptable most of the time with two peaks - once when I was in the surgery having it put on and the other when I was in the surgery having it took off😬

Having said that it was the high side of normal so I lost the extra pounds I knew I was carrying - the blood pressure gave me the incentive.

I didn’t use a special diet though.

I just looked up the DASH diet. It’s just eating well really.

Yes as yet I’ve not been prescribed medication. I’m wearing this monitor today and have to return it tomorrow. Then I will find out. I’m due to see the GP in two weeks. I’m worried as I’m going away this week and afraid something will happen. I’ve already stopped certain foods and drinks. Just have one coffee a day now, no crisps, chocolate or biscuits. I’m hoping this will help. I have to face the fact that my diet could be better.

Please don't panic. I understand the general principal of not taking medication but lots of people of our age take BP meds with no problems at all.

Oh I’m not worried about taking medication. I just haven’t yet been prescribed anything yet. I think I’m just anxious about it all. Worrying I might keel over I suppose. I wasn’t expecting it at all.

That’s how I feel about my cholesterol. Thought I was reasonably healthy for my age so it came as a bit of a shock and now I keep thinking about what’s kicking off in my arteries .

Yes that’s exactly it. It’s what’s going on inside me that is worrying me.

I don’t know your age Silvershadow but it is always a good time to improve your diet, while still accepting that you will probably need BP meds if your readings are high over the course of you recording them for your GP.
Anxiety kicked in with me too when I first learned mine was high but it was soon lowered to an acceptable ‘normal’ with taking prescribed tablets (they may be for life).
You will see from the responses on this thread you are not alone. 💐

I’m 70 and, currently, not taking any medication at all apart from inhalers. So, I suppose I’ve had a good run. I’ll take whatever I’m prescribed. Thanks for the responses it’s been helpful. I’ll let you know what happens.

I have recently been diagnosed with high BP. I reacted to the medication when they changed the dose and it caused cellulitis in my feet. Very swollen and painful. Could not get shoes or socks on for over three weeks. I am still having to test it to see if the readings have improved.

Silvershadow

I’m 70 and, currently, not taking any medication at all apart from inhalers. So, I suppose I’ve had a good run. I’ll take whatever I’m prescribed. Thanks for the responses it’s been helpful. I’ll let you know what happens.

If you are going abroad make you you declare it on your travel insurance

Silvershadow

Oh I’m not worried about taking medication. I just haven’t yet been prescribed anything yet. I think I’m just anxious about it all. Worrying I might keel over I suppose. I wasn’t expecting it at all.

It’s very unlikely you’ll keel over in the next two weeks, Silver.
You’d be in hospital now if it was that bad!

I did reduce my BP levels through diet and exercise, enough to reduce my medication to a very small dose of diuretic. I was also a bit shocked and dismayed to find that mine was high.

Hibiscus tea can help, reducing sodium, and boosting fibre. By all means learn about the DASH diet.

I also had BP taken by the pharmacist when I called in to pick up a regular prescription. I felt fine but he said it was “a little high”. Over that weekend it spiked so badly that I ended up in A&E and was put on meds straight away - lowest dose. I take plenty of exercise, drink in moderation and don’t eat junk food. Bit of a shock really, but hey ho.

I was diagnosed with high blood pressure twelve months ago. Some of the medication I had didn't suit me and I have changed it a couple of times.

I have been turned away from having a colonoscopy twice now because my bp was too high. My bottom number had to be below 90. It was 112. I get terrible white coat syndrome. My bp is always higher at the doctors or in any medical setting.

The last colonoscopy appointment was a month ago and my bp was too high. My medication was increased. I had been doing home readings (morning and evenings) and they were really good.

I had a 24 hour monitor last week and my reading were very high. I had had a very stressful week and a few things going on that day.

My medication has been increased again. I am really concerned that my home readings were fine but the 24 hour monitor was terrible. I have another colonoscopy in a couple of weeks and my bp needs to be good or they won't do it.

I appreciate that my home readings were taken in more or less perfect conditions - calm, feet on floor, arm at heart height etc.

I am in a cycle of stress now about my bp - which I am sure isn't helping. I get stressed even writing about it. I don't know how to resolve this.

I’ve had my results today. Average is 155/81 over a full day. So it’s the higher one I need to get lowered. I shall be working on that. The lower one seems to be good.

Lose some weight and you’ll be surprised how much that top one will come down.

Good luck!

Thanks for your help. I shall be doing just that.

Ask if you can take your bp at home as sometimes it is high at the surgery or hospital due to whitecoat hypertension

MayBee70

I have a friend who had a b/p check at a chemist and before she knew it was in hospital being sorted out. Last time I heard from her she’d lost loads of weight and was no longer on all the medication. My advice would be to take whatever medication your doctor advises but have a good look at your diet and make a few adjustments. I’m saying this as someone that is currently refusing statins but if it was my b/p I’d have a different mindset. Good luck.

Good advice

LOUISA1523

Silvershadow

I’m 70 and, currently, not taking any medication at all apart from inhalers. So, I suppose I’ve had a good run. I’ll take whatever I’m prescribed. Thanks for the responses it’s been helpful. I’ll let you know what happens.

If you are going abroad make you you declare it on your travel insurance

Right now, SS hasn't any bp medication/treatment to declare to her insurers, because she hasn't been prescribed any.

I'm stuffed! I have raised blood pressure (controlled with medication). I also have a stoma. I looked at the DASH diet. I have to have raised salt intake, shouldn't eat nuts nor too many beans or pulses, advised to go easy on certain fruits and vegetables, too. Oh well, if one thing doesn't get me something else will 😂