Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[SunshineCEN]

Just been diagnosed with hypertension (average reading 154/97) and have been prescribed Calcium Channel Blockers  

Picked up prescription and have not taken the tablets as yet. I have read that once you start the tablets, it's for life.  HBP has become an issue this year - 2 years into menopause. Is there anyone else out there with this issue and what has been your experience since on the meds?   Heeelp!

[Taz2]

Did you have your blood pressure monitored over three days or was this a one-off reading? Mine was high a while ago - even though I always had 110/70 BP up till last year - and with the monitor most days it was well down and so I didn't have to take the medication. I also worked hard (well fairly hard :-)) over a few months to cut right down on my salt and to walk for half an hour a day (brisk walking) and I think this helped. It's surprising how much salt there is in foods such as bread and cereals.

Would your doc give you a chance to control it in other ways? Info on this site http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/Home   Have a good read up and see if you can avoid the medication.

Taz x

[oldsheep]

Mine went up (and on HRT) but did they do a 24 hour reading with you? I was told mine was fine but with spikes so not hypertensive. Although the doc said that most people become hypertensive as they age 

I increased my exercise to 4x a week gentle exercise and hopefully that helps. Sugar is meant to be another villain, as well as salt, but I'm still working on that one!
Good luck

[SunshineCEN]

Mine went up (and on HRT) but did they do a 24 hour reading with you? I was told mine was fine but with spikes so not hypertensive. Although the doc said that most people become hypertensive as they age 

I increased my exercise to 4x a week gentle exercise and hopefully that helps. Sugar is meant to be another villain, as well as salt, but I'm still working on that one!
Good luck

Hi Old Sheep - Thanks. Yes I had a 24 hour monitor fitted.  I have been really good with keeping my salt intake very, very low.  Sugar - I did not realise that this could affect BP negatively - I will have to work on that one because I do get sugar cravings!!   I do usually go to the gym at least twice a week but did not go last week - may need to increase frequency.  I drive to work everyday and it be worth doing half-hour power walking in my lunch breaks.

[SunshineCEN]

Did you have your blood pressure monitored over three days or was this a one-off reading? Mine was high a while ago - even though I always had 110/70 BP up till last year - and with the monitor most days it was well down and so I didn't have to take the medication. I also worked hard (well fairly hard :-)) over a few months to cut right down on my salt and to walk for half an hour a day (brisk walking) and I think this helped. It's surprising how much salt there is in foods such as bread and cereals.

Would your doc give you a chance to control it in other ways? Info on this site http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/Home   Have a good read up and see if you can avoid the medication.

Taz x

Hi Taz - Thank you for the link - will take a read.  I had the 24 hour monitor fitted.  When I asked whether there were any natural methods she said she did not know of any.  Quite frankly - she answered with a no so quickly she did not give herself time to think of any alternative.  Oh to find a good GP - they are so far and few between
I agree with you regarding salt levels in cereals and bread - I do not eat bread or cereals often.

GP sent me for a fasting blood test to see how the body is doing.

Thanks again to you and Oldsheep!! Have a good day today x

[Taz2]

Exercise is the biggest thing you can do to help Sunshine - walking is excellent and that, coupled, with a few dietary changes might help quite a lot.  this is from the Blood Pressure Association site which may give you some help http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/BloodPressureandyou/Mystory/Joy

Taz x

[Kat65]

Hello SunshineCEN,
are you on HRT?
I am on Elleste 2 mg, and I have very high blood pressure too. I was asked if I would be willing to stop HRT, and to be honest, at only 48, I really don't want to. I felt awful, could not sleep, and was really not myself without it.
I have my fasting blood test and ECG nect week, and will have a think about it afterwards.

It seems neverending...as if aging and menopause wasn't bad enough on it's own already 

Kat

[Joyce]

My BP went up day after ovaries removed. Been on BP meds ever since. However, it definitely helps to exercise. Doesn't have to be a lot, walking & swimming have worked for me as mine would creep up occasionally.