High Blood Pressure Support Group
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a medical condition wherein the blood pressure is chronically elevated. Persistent hypertension is one of the risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and arterial aneurysm, and is a leading cause of chronic renal failure. Doctors recommend weight loss and regular exercise as the first steps in treating mild to moderate...
I am into having daily blood pressure taken at the pharmacy. I had my first one two days ago and the last one will be tomorrow afternoon. Then the Doctor gets to make the diagnosis of HBP or something else being the culprit of my long term headache. The first and second readings showed my blood pressure to be HIGH. This astonished me because my neurologist said I had LOW blood pressure many years ago and therefore to consume lots of salt. It is a bit embarrassing to see I have HBP after making sure Low blood pressure does not get a hold on me symptom wise. But I'm ALIVE! I've been under a lot of pressure living where I do, seeking help at 12 STEP groups(not for alcohol) which were often counterproductive due to the stress I was often under and the lack of support. I'm out of those now I can imagine. Where I live has it's level of stress and put them altogether and I'm not surprised that I might have HBP. I guess my question for the moment is what treatment is given IF I DO have HBP? I'll find that out in a couple of days I'm geussing again. Thanks for reading and for your responses. I have cut out the salt for now unless my doctor says otherwise. thanks again. :)
Here's what she told me today: alternative treatments are typically more effective than pharmaceuticals for HBP. Or a combination of meds and natural treatments.
Also, they keep lowering the numbers so more people are buying meds. More money. A few years ago if you were under 140/90, they'd tell you to exercise a bit more and but out salt. Today, they'll likely get you started on meds. For a time if you were over 120/80 they wanted you on meds. Now some doctors are saying if you're over 115/75. So keep that in mind. Do your research.
Mine is hovering around 138/82, so it's not bad at all but it could be better. And since the natural treatments are so good for me in other ways, I'm starting on it. I am on inderol and it's kinda working.
I have, as most people with hbp, a slew of other issues - high cholesterol, high triglycerides, headaches, arthritis, etc.
Blood pressure medicine can create other problems like dizziness and tiredness. Hard to exercise when you can't even walk straight and all you want to do is nap. But the alternatives can work well and help other issues and help prevent other health issues.
So, here's what she suggested and maybe there are some things you can ask your doctor about.
She's upping my dosage of fish oil, D3 and turmeric. And I'm starting on magenesium and primrose oil. I'm also continuing with CoQ10.
I'm continuing with interval exercise - mostly in the pool. Dietwise, I eat Himalayan salt which is actually good for hbp. Weird, right? I'm to eat almost exclusively veggies - 80% above ground, 20% or less root veggies (my favs). I'm to have ghee, olive oil, coconut oil and 4 - 8 ounces of meat a day. I'm to eliminate carbs and sugars as much as possible. That means only organic berries and only when I HAVE to have something sweet. And I'm to take 3 - 5 cups of hibiscus tea each day.
I need to give up my beloved orange juice which is a total bummer for me. Obviously no cookies, candy, cakes, etc.
I realized today that I eat a LOT of sugar even though I rarely have soda or candy. I eat dried fruit, orange juice, fresh fruit, sugary veggies and lots of carbs. So this will take some work.
I'm also taking epsom salt baths - good for the minerals and for relaxing. I'm meditating every day too.
But all of these natural remedies will benefit me in a lot of other ways, so I'm beginning to work in that direction. Picked up my tea today! Hope you find the answers you need.