Blood Pressure....

[Thrasher]

It appears I am at the pre-hypertension level ... i.e. 139/93.

Does anyone know of any good diets that can help this, obviously I will be giving up alcohol again (I don't smoke), I've given up caffiene etc already.

I know excercise is also on the cards, so any good hints on the type of exercise? i.e. is walking good enough?

Cheers in advance from a slightly worried Thrasher...

[att]

This may sound a little strange.
I was first diagnosed with hypertension some 20 years ago, I also had high cholestorel(spl?).....Anyways, I went with the diets etc, nothing changed in 17 years, I always declined the medication as I am not a firm believer in the stuff.
5 years ago I had a machine strapped to me for seven days, the results were terrible, my doctor told me I had a 20% chance of having a stroke or a heart attack, I changed my doctor as he was very rude about it.
3 years ago I quit the job I had been doing for 9 years (stress) and started to eat one banana every day, I also increased my intake of red wine.
Last sept/oct. I went to the docs and for the first time in 20 years my blood pressure was bang on :shock:
I smoke, drink and take less exercise than I ever have, I am 1 stone heavier than I was 5 years ago......I don`t know what has happened, but it must be good. :D

[Thrasher]

Hmmm well I like bananas *and* red wine. I will look into it :-)

[bezzabsa]

cut out salt (or switch to sea salt - or garlic salt), caffeine (tea AND coffee) saturated fats, and spend more time 'chilling' - i was told all of this after my heart scare 2 years ago - also take 1 aspirin a day (thins the blood) - or a medium glass of whiskey does the same job :D:D:D:D
my blood pressure has always been high - but i frightened myself and the docs when i had 1 test - 240/190  :shock: ..luckily it was the machine ;)

[smo]

Do you have a dog?

If not get one as walking that twice a day will help. Otherwise if you can fit in just 30mins of brisk walking 3 times a week itll help, obviously the more the better but dont over do it to start.

[Mudlark]

Well I have hypertension and am on medication for it but I've done all the cutting outs you can think of - I don't smoke, killed the alcohol, dieted, cut the salt, caffeine, saturated fats and stress, eat more fruit, done the 5 a day, exercised regularly and.....












....It did nothing! :roll:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  Good Luck

[Garin]

Salt is not good my Dad has had high blood presure fot the last 30 years or so, one of the 1st things they recommended was to cut down on salt, there are reports that some herbs and spices can be beneficial garlic, chile peppers etc, have a look at the link below for more info

http://www.dcaheart.com/Diseases/highBloodPressure.htm

[Thrasher]

I do not add salt to things, I have given up all caffeine (tea, coffee and anything with it in!) ... so I guess I need to modify my life ;)

[snorkley]

come live here on the isle of arran,pace of live lot slower,no crime,no [unpleasent fellows](well not many),people very friendley,lots of beaches to walk,lots of hills and mountains to climb(landy or not),fresh air,sorrounded by sea keeps most of the idiots out!!!!! your bp would be down in no time he he!

[Thrasher]

tempting....enough room for me to open up Bagheera?

[MuddyMike]

It would seem you need a major change of lifestyle. Firstly you must give up Land Rovers or at least switch to a 2 1/4 diesel. Secondly you must change your job to something more relaxing, consider becoming a street sweeper or some other stress free occupation. Next is a move to the country, rural Cumbria (so long as you stay away from interesting hills) might be good. Divorce could help along with having the kids put into care. Then make sure you get plenty of exercise, as if sweeping the streets was not enough. No more peering at computer screens, take up reading classical books instead.

Now seriously, don't worry about it, that's the worse thing you can do, and don't do anything dramatic. Take it onboard as part of what you are, if your current lifestyle does not lead to much exercise then do some. It doesn't matter what, just get away from the PC and get the heart rate up a bit. Read up on the subject (ok so that may take you back to the PC for a while) and make sure you do all the simple things first, but most importantly. DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

All the best

Mike

[bezzabsa]

tempting....enough room for me to open up Bagheera?

as long as you dont change out of 1st :D:D

[snorkley]

as long as it floats as you shoot of the end of the island ha ha  i made the mistake of leavin here and livin in glasgae a while back,thank god i came back!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dazzawhipple]

Upto 12 months ago I only considered myself overweight (which I am)

Then I found that I have Diabeties and High Blood pressure

I now have to go to the doctors at leaset every fornight.................which makes me very well (Not)

Everysince I was dianosed with Diabeties cut all sugar intake now its under control

Blood pressure I have cut out all salt caffiine has been reduced but still have some

Diet thats the hardest ........everything is due to the overweight bit

But doing all the above my BP is still something over 95 now on tablets


All this and going to the doctor as often as makes you feel unwell I never went to the quacks before

Thrash

You will probaly need a complete lifestyle change you are well paid bod but with that comes pressure learn to deal with the pressure better

How well thats the millon dollar question

Dont worry about it too much that not helping

Get a BP machine from a chemist and take it yourself because it may be white coat sydrome

Darren

[Sider]

Out of all the suggestions I've read, red wine (no more than a glass a day) and bananas are the best (other than changing your lifestyle, which is easier said than done).

You don't need to diet, just to control your diet: reduce your portions a bit, avoid salty products like bacon, avoid takeaways and readymeals, pizzas (unless you prepare them), etc. Also, a very effective way of controlling your diet is taking that extra little bit longer to eat, as in don't rush your meals.

I would be careful (personal opinion, not medical fact here) with using the DIY sfigmomanometers. In some cases, it can actually accentuate the hypocondriac we all have inside. If you go for it, however, my advice would be to use it only in the mornings, before you even get out of bed, and always in the same arm. Differences between arms can be tremendous (up to 50 mm of Hg), and the most accurate reading is when you are at ease.

Other than that..... chill out, mon.....

[simdeb]

Get a BP machine from a chemist and take it yourself because it may be white coat sydrome (quoted)




i have high blood pressure as well as arthriris, underactive thyriod and every time i go to the doctors feeling unwell they tell i have to a blood test as throidism and diabetis go toghether  as for the white coat sydrome i have suffered from this apparently i passed out at basetlaw hospital on a appiontment with simon bless him i was in a & e and he had to keep going to see if his turn was next  stree does put it up though so you need to take time for yurself and do what relax's you so theytold me!!

all the beste

Debbie

[Lord Shagg-Pyle]

Totally agree with all thats been said. I was diagnosed with 'hypertension' 6 weeks ago, which is possibly related to some Post Trauma Stress that I got 3 years ago.
The GP has put me on low level beta blockers, which certainly did the job.
I went from being like a humming bird on speed to a sloth on mogadon, but it has leveled out now.
I have cut out salt, reduced fat as much as possible, but the most important bit is the psychological bit.
Ask yourself these questions;
1)Is it really worth winding yourself up about?
2) You look outside first thing in the morning. Is it raining? Do you think "Oh crud, it's raining" or "It's raining, it'll stop eventually.

A lot of it comes down to outlook on life.

Take a deep breath, Thrasher, and count to ten. It will sort itself. All the best to you matey.

[The Fat Controller]

AND if all else fails i con come round your house for a week and help you with your diet(for diet read ....you will stave),after a week your house will be empty of all food damaging to your blood pressue,it'll actually be empty of all food.
I SHOULD REALLY BE 11 FEET TALL FOR MY WEIGHT
that is my only medical disability
i am happy and healthy
i do not smoke and i mostly drink fizzy pop

[schuee]

I know excercise is also on the cards, so any good hints on the type of exercise? i.e. is walking good enough?

Ever thought of joining the Ramblers  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Seriously, all the best mate.

Schuee