Blood Pressure...

[Tinuva]

Hi Everyone,

So I'm a bit of a noob on this forum, haven't posted much, but been reading quite a few.

So i have quick question for some of the other, if i can say, more experienced kind people on here.

I did my discovery health test in November and when it came to checking my bp, it was 137/95. the dr tried to help me get it lower, by testing a few times and getting me to lay down and test again after 15min. He managed to get it slighly lower, but i cant remember the exact figure.

I went to my GP in December where he checked my blood pressure and it was 134/100 and put me on Prexum Plus.

I know my grandfather has had 2 heart attacks and the 3rd one he got covid and unfortunately passed away.

I just want to know, how do i know if its definitely high blood pressure and not, as someone mentioned, White collar fright'?

I definitely want to rather catch it sooner, rather than later, but scared I'm trying to treat something that doesn't exist perhaps and causing long term issues in the future.

I'm 28 years old and everyone says I shouldn't have these issues at my age, but i just keep saying its not called the silent killer for nothing.

Bit of info about me as well, i don't smoke and if i drink 4 glasses of wine a month, that's a lot. I'm not over weight and i run at least 5km twice a week, otherwise I'm in the gym and i don't really eat unhealthy.

Sorry for all questions.

Thanks

How are things at work? What is your general stress levels like?

I think nowadays BP problems start a lot sooner, eg even early 30a or as you say 28. Mostly because we have more stress than previous generations.


Buy a BP machine at your local pharmacy and test at home after you relaxed. After sleep will read too low, but let's you been reading a book for 20min while sitting take a BP reading. Try both arms. Only way you will really know.

 

[diapason]

For around R500 from Dischem or Clicks you can get a decent blood pressure machine. If you are on Vitality Healthy Care you will get Discovery Miles. Take your BP at various times during the day specially the few days before a medical appointment and keep a record of the readings for your doctor. You could also take your machine with you when you next visit your doctor so it can be checked against his.

 

[RiaX]

Hi Everyone,

So I'm a bit of a noob on this forum, haven't posted much, but been reading quite a few.

So i have quick question for some of the other, if i can say, more experienced kind people on here.

I did my discovery health test in November and when it came to checking my bp, it was 137/95. the dr tried to help me get it lower, by testing a few times and getting me to lay down and test again after 15min. He managed to get it slighly lower, but i cant remember the exact figure.

I went to my GP in December where he checked my blood pressure and it was 134/100 and put me on Prexum Plus.

I know my grandfather has had 2 heart attacks and the 3rd one he got covid and unfortunately passed away.

I just want to know, how do i know if its definitely high blood pressure and not, as someone mentioned, White collar fright'?

I definitely want to rather catch it sooner, rather than later, but scared I'm trying to treat something that doesn't exist perhaps and causing long term issues in the future.

I'm 28 years old and everyone says I shouldn't have these issues at my age, but i just keep saying its not called the silent killer for nothing.

Bit of info about me as well, i don't smoke and if i drink 4 glasses of wine a month, that's a lot. I'm not over weight and i run at least 5km twice a week, otherwise I'm in the gym and i don't really eat unhealthy.

Sorry for all questions.

Thanks

Make an appointment with a specialist physician. It's not common to get hypertension at that age. It can happen but you should make sure it's not due to an underlying condition.

For example you could have a rare condition like pheochromocytoma. I had a patient like that and when I referred to specialist that's what they found GP missed it (quick to say you have high BP you overweight take this medicine). I myself didn't even know such a condition existed. Patient would've never known if I didn't go "hey you so young to have hypertension you should go see the specialist".

Not saying you have something like that but you should make absolutely sure that your high blood pressure isn't secondary to something else especially when you under 30

 

[Tongs of Destiny]

you're not doing all these weird and wonderful gym supplements are you? And don't squat 200kg for 50 reps and then check your blood pressure either! lol Eat a balanced diet, drink lotsa water, don't overdo exercise. Take an aspirin every now and then.

I really don't do much exercise, have a gym at home that I use every now and then, minimal cardio by walking, and my heartrate sits just under 50, sometimes 42 chilling on the couch. Blood pressure is spot on, I have a fancy Omron machine as well. Take multiple readings to get an average.

Your BP can spike in an instant, just drive in traffic or have a few coffees and see

 

[maxxis]

From hypertensive crisis in November to 124/84 this morning.

Taking one pill every other day and eating healthy + plenty of exercise outdoors. A good rest in December also helped.

 

[marco]

My BP is always about 15 points higher on systolic and diastolic when taken by a doctor or nurse.
At home it is perfect and not on any meds at age 67.

 

[Ghost1293]

How are things at work? What is your general stress levels like?

I think nowadays BP problems start a lot sooner, eg even early 30a or as you say 28. Mostly because we have more stress than previous generations.


Buy a BP machine at your local pharmacy and test at home after you relaxed. After sleep will read too low, but let's you been reading a book for 20min while sitting take a BP reading. Try both arms. Only way you will really know.

Unfortunitely i think a lot of stress comes from my work, i work in the manufacturing industry for the mining sector, so stress is quite high. Been trying to find another job, but to no luck yet.

Luckily my mom has one, so used that last night, did one while sitting relaxing and talking to my mom and was 155/98 with 83 pulse on left arm and right arm was 147/97 with 82 pulse.

 

[Ghost1293]

you're not doing all these weird and wonderful gym supplements are you? And don't squat 200kg for 50 reps and then check your blood pressure either! lol Eat a balanced diet, drink lotsa water, don't overdo exercise. Take an aspirin every now and then.

I really don't do much exercise, have a gym at home that I use every now and then, minimal cardio by walking, and my heartrate sits just under 50, sometimes 42 chilling on the couch. Blood pressure is spot on, I have a fancy Omron machine as well. Take multiple readings to get an average.

Your BP can spike in an instant, just drive in traffic or have a few coffees and see

No, luckily i don't believe its good to take those stuff, like to keep it all natural.

I drink on average around 1.5l to 2l water a day.

 

[Ghost1293]

Make an appointment with a specialist physician. It's not common to get hypertension at that age. It can happen but you should make sure it's not due to an underlying condition.

For example you could have a rare condition like pheochromocytoma. I had a patient like that and when I referred to specialist that's what they found GP missed it (quick to say you have high BP you overweight take this medicine). I myself didn't even know such a condition existed. Patient would've never known if I didn't go "hey you so young to have hypertension you should go see the specialist".

Not saying you have something like that but you should make absolutely sure that your high blood pressure isn't secondary to something else especially when you under 30

I will definitely look into that this year. Just been feeling, i should rather catch it now than later in life.

I've been on Prexum Plus since mid December, so think that might have helped a bit as well.

 

[RiaX]

I will definitely look into that this year. Just been feeling, i should rather catch it now than later in life.

I've been on Prexum Plus since mid December, so think that might have helped a bit as well.

Prexum Plus will help but you need to investigate it. If there's an underlying cause you will only get worse overtime.

You should treat this matter with urgency. If there's nothing there great carry on with lifestyle mods and meds.

 

[Sideshow Bob]

Been busy day. I completely forgot whether I took BP med or not. Reading right now 139/84 so must have done it.
p.s. Nope - didn't take it as confirmed by SO.

 

[Sideshow Bob]

114/75 - Don't recall such a decent BP (after meds). 4kg+ weight loss & walking nearly every day for a month has definitely helped.

 

[Forum Reader]

I was at 160/110 about half a year ago. Dr prescribed me with meds but got recommended to just add a few things to my diet to reduce it instead. I have a BP measuring device at home so I've kept track. The food that works the best is beetroot (raw in a juice or roasted). Other stuff that helped a little is banannas and pistachios. Just have a little a day. Got down to 110/80 after a few months with no meds and it's stable there now. Doing 30 mins of cardio every 2nd day also helps. The beetroot was the key though. Dropped my BP by 20 points in a few weeks of having it in a raw juice blend I made at home (Beetroot, apples, lemon, cucumber, celery). Takes 20 mins to make a 4 day supply of juice.

 

[Sideshow Bob]

I was at 160/110 about half a year ago. Dr prescribed me with meds but got recommended to just add a few things to my diet to reduce it instead. I have a BP measuring device at home so I've kept track. The food that works the best is beetroot (raw in a juice or roasted). Other stuff that helped a little is banannas and pistachios. Just have a little a day. Got down to 110/80 after a few months with no meds and it's stable there now. Doing 30 mins of cardio every 2nd day also helps.

Wow, 110/80 without meds and I hope I get to it. I am sure beetroot and stuff helped tiny bit but I think your exercise probably reduced your weight. Did you reduce your weight by 20kg-30kg or something like that?

 

[Forum Reader]

Wow, 110/80 without meds and I hope I get to it. I am sure beetroot and stuff helped tiny bit but I think your exercise probably reduced your weight. Did you reduce your weight by 20kg-30kg or something like that?

Weight is still the same. I know it's the beetroot because I started the exercise immediately (and bananas/pistachios) after I went to the Dr. This got me to about 135/95 and it was stable there for a few months. Then I started having the beetroot and saw the bigger BP drop to where it is now.

 

[Sideshow Bob]

Weight is still the same. I know it's the beetroot because I started the exercise immediately (and bananas/pistachios) after I went to the Dr. This got me to about 135/95 and it was stable there for a few months. Then I started having the beetroot and saw the bigger BP drop to where it is now.

wow. That is incredible. Never heard of anyone off-meds just due to beetroot etc.. I will try it.

 

[dualmeister]

Beware when you pee

 

[Forum Reader]

wow. That is incredible. Never heard of anyone off-meds just due to beetroot etc.. I will try it.

Also note that the 160/110 reading was a once off at hospital. It dropped to 140/105 after a day there. 160/110 wasn't my normal range at home. So my Dr diagnosed me as pre Hypertension and prescribed me some low dose BP meds. A family Dr said I should just try adding some foods to my diet instead of taking the meds because it's tough to ever get off meds once you start. (If BP is low then the meds are working so you keep taking it. If BP is high then you keep getting prescribed higher doses).

So I didn't take the meds and added the BP reducing foods to my diet.

 

[Sideshow Bob]

Also note that the 160/110 reading was a once off at hospital. It dropped to 140/105 after a day there. 160/110 wasn't my normal range at home. So my Dr diagnosed me as pre Hypertension and prescribed me some low dose BP meds. A family Dr said I should just try adding some foods to my diet instead of taking the meds because it's tough to ever get off meds once you start. (If BP is low then the meds are working so you keep taking it. If BP is high then you keep getting prescribed higher doses).

So I didn't take the meds and added the BP reducing foods to my diet.

Ah, cool then. Good chances then you are sub-35 age (or maybe younger) and if you were not obese/fat to start with, then diet worked better for you than us "centenarians"

 

[Grant]

I know my grandfather has had 2 heart attacks and the 3rd one he got covid and unfortunately passed away.

I just want to know, how do i know if its definitely high blood pressure and not, as someone mentioned, White collar fright'?

I definitely want to rather catch it sooner, rather than later, but scared I'm trying to treat something that doesn't exist perhaps and causing long term issues in the future.

I'm 28 years old and everyone says I shouldn't have these issues at my age, but i just keep saying its not called the silent killer for nothing.

Bit of info about me as well, i don't smoke and if i drink 4 glasses of wine a month, that's a lot. I'm not over weight and i run at least 5km twice a week, otherwise I'm in the gym and i don't really eat unhealthy.

Sorry for all questions.

Thanks

So I have an additional 20yrs on you, but a really bad family history as far as heart conditions go.
My mother and her 3 sibling have all undergone a variety of surgical procedures. All died of cardiac arrest.
My father's side is not much better.
Given the history, I knew my day was coming.
But my cavalier attitude had me unconcerned.

My blood pressure started sky rocking very suddenly. But I ignored it. My GP was constantly on my case.

Then the day came, almost collapsing on a stair case in a shopping centre.
Went home, gave my GP a call - a courtesy heads-up.
She arrived unannounced at home and went bananas. She checked my blood pressure etc, then walked away.
I heard her on the phone, but couldn't hear properly.
She returns and tells me Dr x and Dr y are expecting me.
I tell her I'll go another time.
She says no, they will be seeing me a bit later.
I try negotiate my way out of it, but she's not buying.
15 minutes later, approaching sirens in the distance. I go icy cold, sensing this may be for me. And so it was.
I'm bundled up and off we go racing thru the streets to the hospital.

I was told one of 2 things were probable - a stroke or cardiac arrest.
I stayed overnight on a cocktail of things, a week later I was back, being carved up for hours on a theatre table like a thanksgiving turkey.

Indeed, this schit creeps up quietly, then suddenly strikes.