Wow so we got that going for us too hahahahaha. I will check more often now, but since limiting salt and losing a couple of pounds my BP numbers have been great! I used to hate when I went to the GP and he would first check the BP routinely and then begin the lecture hahahaha. Really good to know info thanks LL -p

Do you have a family history of hypertension? I read that thyroid disorders can cause this.

I had mine checked a few weeks ago when I went in to see my doc for a sinus infection. It was 115 over I can't remember now, which is actually higher than usual for me but I think it was from being sick.

Since the PE, my blood pressure has been on the low normal side. Not sure what that's about but my docs all seem to like it.

Anyway, this is a good post LL.

Thanks RMB - yes, it runs in the family, along with thyroid issues. The hematologist said my thyroid functions just fine, even though it looks abnormal - I'll be curious to see what my PCP says next week.

Pete - I'll expect some DECENT low sodium recipes to show up in my PM soon....

When I started Warfarin I also quit smoking. I had been on meds for bloodpressure (usually stage 1 hypertension). It appears that when I don't smoke, my bp is normal, Dr said quit taking the bp meds, alright!!!!!

Hi Laura - Good luck on the doctor visit next week and thanks for the info on the warfarin risks. Hypertension runs in my family also (well, half my family - half have low BP, half high -- I got the high side, unfortunately!).

What others have said here is right on the money - cutting back (way back if you can) on salt, exercising regularly, not smoking, etc will be very helpful. The American Heart Association has some great info on their site (http://www.americanheart.org) and you can also find info on the D.A.S.H. diet there, which is supposed to be the one of the better BP lowering diets out there (of course it's loaded with Vit K rich foods, so you have to kinda pick and choose what you can eat there... arrggh..).

See if your doctor will give you a chance to lower your BP that way (and best to get your own BP monitor for home use - I got a nice Omron one at Costco a few years ago for about $80). If you're like me and you still can't get your numbers low enough with all that, they will likely start you out on a diuretic-type pill to take every day at the same time. But hey, by now, we're all very good at doing that, right? ;-)

Good luck on your appointment!

LL all the recipes I share are always low sodium hahaha I promise! If you or anyone else is interested, the Dr. Gourmet web site http://www.drgourmet.com/ has been a blessing in pointing us toward a warfarin-safe menu that is safe for Coumadin and other health issues and is free! Eat well, exercise and enjoy! -P

Can warfarin cause BP to rise? My BP has always been on the low side. Since the DVT diagnosis in September, it has been higher at times, 140/81, 155/ 85.

My husband took me to the ER last weekend with chest pain, wheezing, and heart palpitations. My BP was 155/85 when I arrived. As I sat there hooked up to monitors, it went down to 127/74. Still kinda high for me. The EKG was fine but the heart monitor showed constant palpitations. After a chest x-ray and blood tests, I was told to avoid caffeine and see my PCP.

My PCP thought it was my asthma meds, and gave me a new prescription. I still have the palpitations. Anyone else experience these weird things? Could it be the APS?

Thanks for the tips dhy063! I did scope out the DASH diet and have investigated the challenges of shopping for low sodium foods. Or even lowER sodium foods. Not easy - seems we like our salt in this country. And fat and sugar.

I'll also get my own BP monitor - I've been going to the pharmacy and using the free machine - which is a good place to start if anyone would like to get an idea of their BP without going to the doc first. Check it a few times, different days, and if you're getting readings of over 120/80, then see your doc. The ideal is lower than 120/80 (RMB - your BP rocks!)

It seems like a simple enough thing to do to greatly decrease our risk of stroke (for anyone but even more so for warfarin users). I would have never given my bp a second thought, but I have a fantastic PCP looking out for me.

Pete - I will check out Dr. Gourmet too, I know you have had good results with the recipes there. Thanks again for the great tips!

Karategirl - I've looked all over the internet for that info too, but nothing points to warfarin as influencing bp at all. Other meds can though, so hopefully your doc is right, and adjusting your asthma meds is all it takes.

I usually have high bp readings when I'm at the docs - called white coat hypertension - so when my bp was 160/80 at the hematologists, I chalked it up to that. If I was sent to the ER with your symptoms, I'm sure my bp would have been thru the roof!

I've only ever read about pulmonary hypertension associated with APS, usually because of a PE, not your every-day, run-of-the-mill, silent killer hypertension.

Thanks for checking LauraLu. I couldn't find anything either. I think my body is just falling apart this year. I'm trying the new asthma meds, and of course, losing weight. Hopefully that's all it will take.

OMG, tell me about falling apart!

Ok Ok Ok no one is falling apart here!!! THAT is NOT allowed - feel good now damnit or I will sic the greyhound fairy of goodness upon you! I mean it!!

-Peter

LOL-Thanks Peter! Although I've never met a greyhound fairy. Do you see these often? :-)

Pete - they look like flying aardvarks, right?

Hahahaha the Greyhound Fairy I invoked is in my photos, I found it searching the internet for greyhound pics long ago! It has mystical powers of healing, goodness and love! I will make it my profile pic so you can see it too. I have 2 greyhound rescues they are "therapy on 4 legs", sweet as pie. I feel obliged to pass along the love because you guy are the best! :-) -P