High blood-pressure

Subject: High blood-pressure
From: GUEST,Sergio
Date: 05 Dec 01 - 02:16 PM

What can be done if you have to high blood-pressure?

Do you have to take medicines?

Or are there more natural ways to get the blood-pressure down?

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: DougR
Date: 05 Dec 01 - 02:22 PM

Exercise. Lose weight. Eat sensibly. Watch bad fat intake. And if that doesn' do it, take medications prescribed by a MD.

DougR

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: DougR
Date: 05 Dec 01 - 02:26 PM

I should have added: even with medication, you still have to exercise, eat sensibly, watch bad fat (saturated particularly) fat, and lose weight if you are overweight.

DougR

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: GUEST,Sailor Dan at work
Date: 05 Dec 01 - 02:27 PM

Get away from Cafeine, Sodium, fats and start to exercise. Walking is an excellent and easy way to exercise. DO NOT START MASSIVE weight lifting, jogging or running until you see a doctor.

Depending on how high it is at the present time and how high it remains, medication will bring it under control.

Good luck

Dan

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 05 Dec 01 - 02:58 PM

I take garlic supplements and hawthorn which controls mine instead of the beta blockers, etc. which I took for a number of years. I also walk a lot. My numbers without medication were either high normal or the lower range of high blood pressure, depending on how you look at it. A friend finds that Co-enzyme Q-10 works to keep her blood pressure under control. The downside to herbal remedies is that your prescription insurance generally doesn't cover it and it's not necessarily any cheaper than prescription medications.

Linn

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Dec 01 - 03:09 PM

I have very moderate HBP, but they had to try 3-4 pills before something worked...I would recommend a doctors advice, EVEN IF you also try herbal stuff & exercise. It depends on HOW high it is as yo how urgent it is, but don't mess with just folk remedies if it is really high.

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 05 Dec 01 - 03:15 PM

High blood pressure can have deadly consequences. Don't waste time trying to fix it by yourself. Make an appointment with a doctor today. The doctor may put you on medication. Then, if you want to get off the medication, you can try losing weight, etc., but do that under a doctor's supervision.

The type and amount of medication depends on whether it's your systolic or diastolic pressure that's high, and how high it is, and your weight, and maybe some other factors I'm not aware of.

I take medicine for high blood pressure daily. It's no big deal. But heart attack or stroke IS a big deal.

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: RichM
Date: 05 Dec 01 - 04:36 PM

What Jim Dixon said. I've taken medication for high blood pressure since I was a young man. Don't want to scare you, but you should see a doctor and find out why you have it. It may be chronic hypertension (translation: you got it, you control it, and live with it)--OR it could be a specific physical problem that you should deal with now...

Control your BP and you will live longer, and make more music!

Rich McCarthy

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Dec 01 - 05:10 PM

See a doctor......period.

You can enhance your treatment depending on the diagnosis, with other things, but right now you need a diagnosis as to what is the cause. All the other stuff can be blended in later, but control the BP NOW. You may go through several meds like Bill did before one works properly and you may change down the road. It could be that your lifestyle changes will eventually control it......maybe not. The important thing is to find out why as Rich said and work through it now.

Nothing really wrong with herbal stuff, but not at your stage of the game. How's your other heart function and arterial condition indicators? Have it all thoroughly checked and take action based on the medical diagnosis.........muck about with the other stuff later if you must because they often do have an effect on certain types of coronary disorders, but do it later....not now. I guarantee I know of what I speak.

Spaw

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 05 Dec 01 - 05:29 PM

Just want to clarify that I didn't suggest only herbal remedies. Definitely work with your doctor. You may need to try several medications before finding one that does the trick. The first one my doctor tried had some nasty side effects, but I had no problems with either Lopressor or, later, Ziac. Took them for years. Then tried the hawthorn, and with my doctor's cooperation, gave it a shot first in conunction with the Ziac, then by itself. It worked. I still monitor my blood pressure, of course.

Linn

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 05 Dec 01 - 05:50 PM

As everyone says... SEE A DOC! And it may take a lot of trial and error. Then everything can change in another year or so. I tried over 20 different meds before I found a combination of two that worked over the long term. It seems that the ones that work best on me involve the kidney loop, which I've now forgotten what all that means.

I tried many other things too. I ran the minimarathon, ate lots of oatmeal, meditated, stuck to an extremely low salt diet for a year...nothing had lasting effects other than the right meds.

Losing weight seems to have the most effect!

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: Banjer
Date: 05 Dec 01 - 05:53 PM

My Dr has me on a combination of three different pills, the thhird different combination since we started trying to control my BP. It seems she finnaly came up with a winner. My bp numbers had been running high (160/950) and now I am averaging numbers between 137-107 systolic and 65-82 diastolic. Excercise (ride a bike three times a week anywhere between 5 to 12 miles each outing) and diet are also in place. I have lost 25 pounds since I started with her and hope to drop below 195 by the end of January. I definetly would not have been able to do all this without the Dr's help and advice. Do see one ASAP....It can mean a world of difference!

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Dec 01 - 06:06 PM

Geez Banj....You're completely disgusting...........Just make me sick..............(Congratulations!!!!)

It's not unusual to take more than one med and combinatios can also benefit the heart itself. All depends on what the cause is. As Mary said, the loop diuretics are good for many folks and are often used in combination with other BP meds. The main types of high blood pressure medications are: diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin antagonists, calcium channel blockers, alpha blockers, alpha-beta blockers, nervous system inhibitors, and vasodilators. Each has it's place and how they affect you and your condition dictates the treatment.

Spaw

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: GUEST,truckerdave
Date: 05 Dec 01 - 06:28 PM

my girlfriend is battling high blood pressure. 200 over 140 sometimes, sometimes normal. Nice normal looking woman, works, not fat or anything, has sex several times a day(with me). Getting under doctors care. Probably going to be put on one of those "if it tastes good you can't eat it" diets. Just can't figure it.

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: 53
Date: 05 Dec 01 - 08:40 PM

I HAVE HAD HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE FOR YEARS NOW AND MY DOCTOR HAS ME ON LOTREL 5/20 WHICH IS AN ACE INHIBITOR AND ANOTHER DRUG MIXED AND IT WORKS FOR ME, I WALK 2OR 3 MILES A DAY AND TRY TO WATCH MY SALT INTAKE, AND I TRY TO STAY ACTIVE. GOOD LUCK WITH YOURS. BOB

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 05 Dec 01 - 09:02 PM

I have got high blood pressuere as well, you should stop smoking, not drink too much and do exercise or you might collapse.One day I collapsed in a shop, and they took me to hospital, but I was ok, the doctor said I should not woory about it much but I should stop smoking.I dont need tablets.I think you should see a doctor and do what he says, otherwise you might have a heart attack or stroke or something.SEE A DOCTOR.john

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From:
Date: 05 Dec 01 - 10:31 PM

Read up on Syndrome X...by Dr. Gerald Raven. If you have high insulin, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and are overweight, ..might just have it. There is a lot of converging research, some of right out there in plain sight...that refined carbs are the problem, along with trans fats. Read books by Dr. Mary Enig about the fat situation. SOme are very very bad...the trans fats..some are generally thought to be good, and some, particularly the saturated ones, are debated. There is research that shows the problem is not with saturated fats, but with mixing them with trans fats and refined carbs in the research. Protein power will get into this. Whatever you do, ask them to check your insulin levels. This will give you an idea of your insulin resistance when combined with your blood sugar readings. This is all related. Naturally you shouldn't believe this just because I put it on the internet but it will give you a place to start. Drink plenty of water. mg

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: 53
Date: 05 Dec 01 - 10:33 PM

smoking and drinking are bothe bad if you have high bp. and if you're fat that doesn't help any either, push away from the table sooner and stay away from fried food and to much pork, but if you don't care just do want you want and the gravediggers will have another on e to dig, and they'll be happy cause it's ajob for them. there. BOB

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 05 Dec 01 - 11:33 PM

BOB-I am not fat.john

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: mooman
Date: 06 Dec 01 - 04:21 AM

Dear Guest Sergio,

It is essential to see a doctor as high blood pressure left untreated is "a silent killer" and can give rise to strokes, heart and other problems.

Much of the advice given above is sound. Losing weight, regular (but not heavy) exercise, low salt diet, foods rich in potassium (e.g. bananas) and low fat intake are all important.

Round about a year ago I began to suffer from horrendous headaches which no painkillers would relieve. Suspecting HBP, I went to my doctor and was astonished and appalled (and not a little frightened) to find that it had risen to about 205/140 (i.e. well into the "red zone"). I was immediately put on medication which worked moderately well and my doctor referred me to a cardiologist who carried out a whole battery of heart and respiratory tests. Nothing basically wrong with my heart other than it wasn't relaxing sufficiently between beats, respiratory function well above average for my age and cholesterol only a little above normal.

The cardiologist diagnosed "essential hypertension" (which is what most cases, but not all, of HTP are) changed my medication to Cozaar Plus (Losartan) (an angiotensin inhibitor with a mild antidiuretic added) plus Amlor (which I believe is a calcium pathway inhibitor and which synergises the e3ffects of the Losartan).

In the time I have been on the medication my BP has fallen to a relative normal average of about 132/80 and I feel generally fine. I have also taken up meditation (mentioned on a previous thread) and the cardiologist thinks this is a very good idea. I also have to lose some more weight.

In my case, the onset of the HBP coincided with a period of very high stress at work and the medics think this is certainly a contributory factor. My job remains stressful and part of my strategy now is finding ways of handling that stress. Meditation is part of it (I will often shut the door and take a 10 minute quick mediatation based on breathing), saying no is another and expressing my feelings in a constructive manner is another. I don't really care what the boss thinks about it as I would rather be alive than sacked!

Last, but not least, I am making sure I spend plenty of time enjoying my music which is my greatest love and, again, the medics think this is important.

Coming back to my original point, by all means follow the good advice expressed by others in this thread but DO see your doctor as well. There are other causes to HBP than "essential hypertension" (which basically means the cause is not obvious) and it is essential to get a proper diagnosis.

Hope this is of help.

Best regards,

mooman

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: Banjer
Date: 06 Dec 01 - 05:44 AM

Thanks, 'Spaw! Yes I must admit for years I had this aversion to going to see a doctor, thinking that I could take care of myself just fine. If that is how anyone feels they should get over it right quick! I learned that without a professional's help you can have illnesses (like in my case type II diabetes and high blood pressure) that do not show any symptoms AND in some cases can kill! DO GO SEE A DOCTOR....you owe it to yourself and those who care about you!

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Dec 01 - 09:31 AM

Statin drugs will be better than beta blockers. One can also consciously lower their pressure which amazes most physicians.

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 06 Dec 01 - 04:30 PM

I've heard that meditation works, too. I don't meditate on a regular basis, but if I did, I'd watch my bp readings, too.

BTW, most people are NOT salt sensitive, so normal salt intake will make no difference whatsoever on your blood pressure. I think it's something like 20% of people who have high blood pressure are salt sensitive. (So, of course, it's even smaller in the general population.)

Linn

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Dec 01 - 04:44 PM

Leeches - three ha'pence a dozen from the apothocary.

(Sorry - shouldn't joke as at around 40% overweight and a boozer I guess I will be next!)

Isn't stress a big factor as well though? Yep - go to the doctors but don't make it worse by being too stressed out by it!

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: kendall
Date: 06 Dec 01 - 04:45 PM

The trick is to find one that doesn't kill your libido. Hydrochlorothyazide (hctz) will make a eunuch out of you.

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: 53
Date: 06 Dec 01 - 08:06 PM

walk walk walk and that will be a big part in controlling your BP BOB

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: Hawker
Date: 06 Dec 01 - 08:11 PM

Like everyone says, see the doc, I have had High BP for about 15 years, I take 5 tablets a day to help me, but I have a family history of heart disease. There are many ways to help yourself - low fat diet, exercise, change your lifestyle if you are in a stressful job, give up smoking, I have lost 2 stone, I have not smoked for 20 years, walk at least a mile a day, have minimised my stress levels and I have now started getting angina pain. Well one doctor says it is and another says it isn't! It starts in the front of my throat and sort of makes it feel tight, if I try and ignore it and dont take my nitro spray, it moves into my jawbone and my left shoulderblade and makes me want to curl up into a ball. I dont get breathless but I find it difficult to breathe - sound familiar to those who suffer? Frightening thing is, I seem to be suffering this pain every day at the moment, My doc has at least put me down to see a cardiologist!
Isn't life fun!
Lucy

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: kendall
Date: 06 Dec 01 - 08:23 PM

Life is trouble. Only death is not. A man should unbuckle his belt and look for trouble. (Zorba the Greek)

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: Hawker
Date: 06 Dec 01 - 08:31 PM

Does man have to look very hard for trouble once he has unbuckled his belt?

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: catspaw49
Date: 06 Dec 01 - 09:09 PM

Hawker........Angina comes in several "shapes and sizes" and you are describing one of those. Glad you're seeing a cardiologist!

Spaw

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: 53
Date: 06 Dec 01 - 10:30 PM

sometimes using one of those can help lower you BP. BOB

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: catspaw49
Date: 06 Dec 01 - 10:43 PM

Say what? One of what BOB?

Spaw

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: Gypsy
Date: 06 Dec 01 - 10:53 PM

Yes, see a doctor. But plan on doing your own studying, as well. No one has a vested interest in your health like you do. The handsome mando player has it. Went to a doctor, who put him on drugs with horrendous side effects, and blew it off when husband yelped. He is now on an alternative protocol, works very well, with no side effects. It ain't any less spendy, but it works, and he feels well.

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: Hrothgar
Date: 07 Dec 01 - 12:29 AM

See a doctor. Watch your diet. See a doctor. Exercise. See a doctor. Stop smoking. See a doctor. Cut back on the booze. See a doctor.

If none of that works, I'll send flowers.

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: grumpy al
Date: 07 Dec 01 - 04:33 PM

sod the doctors they only give you chemicals to cover the symptoms, not cure the problem. Don't know what your problem is but i expect you do (maybe not on a concious level yet), when you work out what is causing you HBP find a suitable alternative therapist and really get things sorted. Worked for me.

If all else fails relax, chill out and grab a loaded bong but above all have FUN it lowers your BP

the Grumps

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: catspaw49
Date: 07 Dec 01 - 04:44 PM

Not great advice there Grumps......Yeah, you need to work out the lifestyle changes which may be affecting your BP, but singing little ditties while dancing about like a fairy princess isn't the answer either. There are a lot of different reasons for high blood pressure and not all of them can be "cured"......and failing to do the meds which can reduce the BP in these cases is completely stupid no matter whom you wish to sod!

Spaw

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 07 Dec 01 - 05:34 PM

How do I change my heredity? ;-)

(I hear insanity is inherited. You get it from your kids.)

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 07 Dec 01 - 07:57 PM

Join the club.....It doesn't kill you soon....but it may later..I have been taking varieties of medication for 20 years.

Mine has now come down to 130/85 average with some occasional better readings. Don't be frightened but do something to reduce it.

I have lost 2 1/2 stones...(35Lb) and it helped tremedously.

I am now on a very low dose of a very old blocker (25mg of atenolol) and an equally low dose of Zestril (ACE inhibitor 2.5 mg)

Judging by the responses try giving up music...appears that all of us have some form of HBP.

Trying to be help full

Spot.

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: 53
Date: 07 Dec 01 - 08:29 PM

getting some butt will help your blood pressure go down, you know what i'm talking about spaw. BOB

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: catspaw49
Date: 07 Dec 01 - 09:01 PM

I do?

Spaw

Subject: RE: High blood-pressure
From: gnu
Date: 27 Nov 10 - 05:33 PM

116/64/60bpm just now... been around that for a while but I am on Coversyl Plus, 1.25mg twice a day.

How am I doin? Lost a shitload a weight. I had some ales and smoked a bunch of cigs before I took the readings. Do they cancel out so the readings are "level"?