 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Went to the doctor about [url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/on-my-way-to-get-the-snip ]something else[/url] on Thursday and they did a blood pressure test. It was high, so I'm now taking morning and night readings at home for a week. So far, they're almost all high - like 170/110 high...
I don't smoke, I'm skinny, commute half an hour a day by bike and ran a sub-hour 10k off no training yesterday, no processed foods and only add salt to chips or roasties, only occasionally drink slightly more than a unit or two a day, and I'm not 40 until the year after next. Slightly stressful job, though I do have general anxiety/stress issues. My dad has high blood pressure, so I guess it's genetics.
So, what can I do? (Obviously, I'll speak to my GP once the week is over, but I want some options in mind before then.)
Yep genetics mate, same for me.
How much water do you drink. Now double it
Less caffeine if you drink coffee a lot helps.
Get a better dad (genetically speaking, that is).
samunkim - Member
How much water do you drink. Now double it
How's that work then?
Anxiety will raise BP, tell your GP about your anxiety.
While in the far east I had eye infection so visited a doctor while there the doctor took my blood pressure then proceed to tell me my blood pressure was fairly high ... can't remember by how much now.
He then prescribed me some high blood pressure tablets so I thought I would give it a go for two days to see what would happen ... bloody hell after taking just one tablet I could not even stay awake for an hour for the next three days without falling asleep. Freak me out so I stopped taking after three days.
There are plant leaves that can help lower blood pressure but I cannot remember which now so I prefer those instead.
😛
Miketually, it's far better that you're aware of it (it's fairly easy to treat) than unaware.
Unfortunately, like diarrhoea, some things just run in your jeans.....
How much water do you drink. Now double it
Sounds like a good way to increase your blood pressure to be honest.
Have a tug 15 minutes before you take your blood pressure reading.
Thanks everyone.
The lowest reading I've had so far was this morning (133/88 which is almost into the only slightly too high category) and the highest was last night (171/108 which is almost into the oh shitting hell category). Averaging 150/98 so far.
I generally only have two cups of coffee a day, so don't think it's that.
had you been riding/exercising before hand (for the higher reading)
I ran an impromptu 10km yesterday afternoon, but that was a good few hours before the reading. My second highest (167/111) was after riding home from the pub after four pints on Friday night.
Without those, my average is 143/93.
With your history of anxiety I would say that a 24 ambulatory monitor would be a good idea before committing to potentially life long BP medicine.
Many GP surgeries have their own machine now, if not you may be able to get a referral to someone who does have one.
Take a look at the cardiovascular risk parts of trusted websites British heart foundation etc to understand the risks of high BP. With your age, you are just at the beginning of a risk that is worth doing something about (depending on other factors) - might also be worth having a full health check with the GP to have a more clear picture of your personal risks before embarking on treatment plans.
HTH
Mine was work related with added beer to relax due to a dick of a client a few years back. Bought a bike got fitter, but the main thing I did was stop worrying about dicks like him and start looking after no.1
I also have high BP, or would have if I weren't taking a small does of an ACE inhibitor every day. (Lisinopril) I have seen no side -effects yet. Listen to the doc, take the drugs if offered, high BP will kill you slowly so don't listen to the "plant extracts" cranks.
My wife has been on Lisinopril for about 20 years now, it was that or kidney failure so I think she made the right choice.
In what respect Drac? I have slightly high bp and expecting a medical solution in 5 to 10 years. where does the kidney aspect come in?
Have you had a cholesterol test?
OK 170/110 is very high. Mine was equally high (170/120). The good news is that this is treatable. I'm on Candesartan which is working well. I had a check up last week and I'm now 120/70.
However...
The doctors have no idea what causes the majority of cases of high BP. If the doctors rule out the small number of known nasty things that could be the cause you'll be in the "essential hypertension" category. But your BP is so high that no amount of lifestyle tinkering is going to fix it. You'll need to take medicine, especially as your lifestyle is already better than most. As above, ignore the plant extract cranks.
It astonishes me that the medical profession don't know what causes essential hypertension. I would have thought there's a Nobel prize for whoever can discover it.
langylad - very high BP can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys.
where does the kidney aspect come in?
She has a kidney disorder, which makes her BP high, this increased the risk of kidney failure so she takes lisinopril.
http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Alpor t's-Syndrome.htm
Oh and high blood pressure can damage to your kidneys anyway by popping the little blood vessels in them, kind if like how it causes nose bleeds.
Yep, me too.
Healthy lifestyle, no smoking, no processed food, lots of exercise all my life and high blood pressure.
Just one of them things I guess. I've been on Lisinopril for many years. When I was first diagnosed I cut out the booze completely for a few weeks to see if that was causing it (not that I was drinking particularly heavily), no difference.
Do you have a very slow resting heartrate, Mike?
Thanks for all the replies everyone.
Only a couple of the readings have been huge, so I'm hoping they're the exception over the week but I'm glad I've discovered there's an issue rather than living in blissful ignorance.
I'm already one daily inhalers, and antihistamines through the summer, so another tablet's not the end of the world, though I might rattle when I run.
My resting heart rate is about 50, which is low but not mega low I suppose.
OP similar situation but not as high eg 140/110, yes genetics. Good news is with lifestyle changes you can get it down and there are drugs you can take so it's treatable. As you say good that you are now aware.
Diet - obvious things to cut down on
Excersize - good news as its a reason r ride your bike more but take care you don't over exert yourself. Meditation/yoga can help too, calming and teaches you to slow your breathing
Lifestyle - try to reduce stress and stressful activities
On the water, one advice with BP checks is to have had a pee before checking to empty the bladder as that affects it apparently. Drinking lots of water may bump it up.
Stress/anxiety, best thing is exercise. A daily commute is okay, but is it pushing yourself enough? Plus commutes can be stressful. Off road in the country away from everything as regular as possible.
I'm on the 'genetic' list but keep it top end of normal mostly by riding as much as possible and not eating total crap, cooking from raw ingredients generally, no added salt or sugar, plus keep the coffee down to one a day average. Alcohol however is still a struggle to cut down on 😀
Interestingly, NHS take my pressure and say it's normal, go away. In the US I'd be diagnosed with pre-hypertension and given loads of drugs.
Other thing to note is high blood pressure itself is not a disease. It's just it can be a trigger for stroke and heart attacks, if you have other conditions like clogged arteries/heart disease etc. Cholesterol checks are important here but your GP rarely bothers checking.
My two readings this morning were 125/77 and 135/92. I got a series of error messages after the first reading, so don't trust that one to much.
I think I might need to exercise over and above my commute as it's only 15 minutes each way, though it's mostly on bike paths so not stressful. It seems I'm OK at running, so might give that a go.
Trying to be positive about it, I don't have any other risk factors so the high BP in itself shouldn't be an issue provided I keep on top of it.
Excersize - good news as its a reason r ride your bike more but take care you don't over exert yourself
Should this exclude hiking up Great Calva 😉 Only gave up squash recently due to dodgy knees and back which I think has contributed to a bit of weight gain, 15st Asthmatic shift worker on Lisiniprol!!
[url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7705/17154073162_57924bc319_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7705/17154073162_57924bc319_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/s8R7j7 ]Lakes3[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/27084274@N08/ ]john_henry_mtb[/url], on Flickr
mike, i landed myself a nasty little hypertensive cardiomyopathy by not being aware of my BP and just how astronomical it was about 11 years ago (highest reading, in the ambulance on the way to a 2 week HDU stay and numerous tests etc was 255/170!)
since then, i've lost around 8 stones, got myself a way less stressful job and i'm thinner, lighter and fitter than i've ever been since i was about 16 or 17... oh, i take ramipril and amlodipine daily to control the BP though as no obvious cause was determined.
get it properly checked out.
Been on them since 2008 started off on 2.5 mg Ramipril now on 10mg. It maintains 120/70 with medication. I did miss it for a week and it peaked at 207/137 during work. And I was thoroughly bollocked by a doctor and prescribed some ramipril there and then.
get it properly checked out
Taking the results back to my GP on Friday, then getting a follow-up appointment.
I think I'd die if I lost 8 stone though 🙂
[i]Without those, my average is 143/93.[/i]
high end of normal range, isn't it?
My understanding, High BP in of itself isn't necessarily good or bad, but could be an indicator of other things going on, too much salt, not enough exercise, or drink too much
[i]was after riding home from the pub after [b]four pints[/b] on Friday night.[/i]
I'd say we have a winner....
Without those, my average is 143/93.high end of normal range, isn't it?
According to the NHS, normal blood pressure is between 90/60 and 140/90 so just over the top end of normal.
was after riding home from the pub after four pints on Friday night.I'd say we have a winner....
That was four pints spread over four hours, and it's not a long ride home, almost all off-road and taken (very) slowly. I may make a little note next to that reading on the sheet I hand in to the GP 🙂
My understanding, High BP in of itself isn't necessarily good or bad, but could be an indicator of other things going on, too much salt, not enough exercise, or drink too much
High BP isn't good, one of the reasons being as you mentioned it's an indicator of other things. However, high BP can cause you multitude of problems.
It's not the time it takes, that's still a lot of alcohol in one go, could be worth recording how often you're doing that?
An interesting and timely thread for me!
I was taken to hospital by ambulance last night as the out of hours doctor was worried about my heart rate and a few other things. I had attended with an episode of gall bladder pain and wasn't expecting my heart to land me in hospital. Everything stabilised in the abulance though but they did tell my me BP was a bit high!
Reflecting on it today I drink too much coffee (4-6 cups per day), I am almost a stone overweight and any exercise is now more directed towards weights / strength training rather than cardio and one of my colleagues is making my life a nightmare.
It would be very interesting to read of anyone who got their BP under control and how they did it.
It's not the time it takes, that's still a lot of alcohol in one go, could be worth recording how often you're doing that?
Very rarely; I usually have a glass of red once the kids are in bed, and a glass or so more on Friday and Saturday evenings.
I was taken to hospital by ambulance last night
Yikes! Better today?
miketually - Member
Without those, my average is 143/93.
high end of normal range, isn't it?According to the NHS, normal blood pressure is between 90/60 and 140/90 so just over the top end of normal.
That's the thing. NHS divides it into normal and OMG you're going to die! In the US they have pre-hypertension as a diagnosed condition which is the top end of normal (below 140/90), and yet there's nothing wrong at all with BP in that area. It just sells drugs. You're fine even over, but not if you have underlying issues that could allow high BP to trigger something bad. People vary and some do have naturally high BP without it being an issue.
shooterman - Member
An interesting and timely thread for me!I was taken to hospital by ambulance last night as the out of hours doctor was worried about my heart rate and a few other things. I had attended with an episode of gall bladder pain and wasn't expecting my heart to land me in hospital. Everything stabilised in the abulance though but they did tell my me BP was a bit high!
Reflecting on it today I drink too much coffee (4-6 cups per day), ...
I ended up in A&E in a panic over nuts heart rate and feeling faint driving home. Blood tests and ECG all fine, BP said it was "a little high" at the time though weren't overly concerned and said no I wasn't having a heart attack, go away. GP stuck me on a 24hr BP monitor, all fine as far as they were concerned.
Question turned to coffee. Hmm, yeah about up to 6 cups a day from the canteen posh coffee machine of double shot lates, cappuccinos and stuff, and probably one or two at home. Yeah, that'll be it.
Not in that it was causing BP problems, but that the heart rate was going nuts of course 😀
Coffee right down to one a day (I can't give it up though, far too nice).
Similar story. I became aware of my blood pressure a couple of weeks ago. I hadn't taken it for about 6 months, but at that time it was around 115/76 - occasionally in the past I might have had a reading up to 86 diastolic. I've repeatedly had a diastolic over 90 for the past couple of weeks - I've cut out the crap and started eating more fruit, on the positive side I've lost 12 pounds but my blood pressure just now was 136/94. I'll keep at it a bit longer and if it doesn't get below 90 over the next 6 weeks I'll probably see the GP to see if there's an underlying issue.
Mike.
Sorry to learn that you're in a bit of a bind, right now.
If you have the time and motivation, then I'd suggest reading "the diet delusion". It's a book someone else on here recommended, I went and bought it and it's a enlightening read.
15 years ago, my GP told me that if you're born with narrow viens and arteries then high BP is what you get!
However, since then I've done a lot of research and to cut to the chase.
It aint' so simple!
Remain positive. Ton is a great example of what one can achieve and you can do this too. It's not over!
You can do the same! High BP isn't always a one way street.
Does low heart rate / high cholesterol have a bearing on bp?
Mike,
Im 42 and recently been put on Ramipril 2.5mg (quite low dosage). Always get high readings when I go to doc ( over 150/100). Had all tests done - ambulatory, ECG, Stressed ECG, Cardio Echogram,
At home i can now get readings 125/75 when chilled. Drugs do help. Im fit & healthy, don't smoke or drink. Docs advised me to try and keep my upper reading below 130. So at present on drugs and monitoring it. May be for life,, who knows.
Specialist said its not for next 5 years, but for 30 years time. I exercise normally and push myself quite hard with no ill affects. At least I had peace of mind of loads of heart tests, which might be worth getting done for peace of mind. I need to reduce my coffee intake too!! Good luck
NHS divides it into normal and OMG you're going to die! In the US they have pre-hypertension as a diagnosed condition
Yeah, that's not quite right though!!
Read up on stage 1, stage 2, malignant hypertension etc etc.
Have a look at the 'nice clinical knowledge summaries'website (forever changing address!) For more info on blood pressure.
DrP
I did the iDave diet for 6 months or so, and that [i]seemed[/i] to help my asthma and hayfever that summer. I might go back to a more-iDave diet and see if that helps, but it'll almost certainly be in addition to whatever the doctor recommends.
I've already dropped from two coffees at work in the morning to just one but I'm deliberately not making too drastic changes during this week as I want a clear picture. BP was down to 132/74 this morning, so heading in the right direction.
The website's http://cks.nice.org.uk/hypertension-not-diabetic DrP, thanks I'll take a look.
Looks like I'm heading for a stage 1 hypertension diagnosis: "clinic blood pressure is above or equal to 140/90 mmHg, and ABPM average is above or equal to 135/85 mmHg. The decision to treat this level of hypertension depends on an assessment of the total cardiovascular disease risk", which means I'll be offered medication if "Target organ damage, established cardiovascular disease, renal disease, diabetes, and/or a 10 year cardiovascular risk of 20% or more".
I'm guessing I'm not in a high risk category (white, youngish, fit, non-smoker) so will possibly be put on the lifestyle choices path, though there's not much I can do there.
If I am offered treatment looks like it'll be an ACE-inhibitor though my anxiety/stress issues might count as "evidence of increased sympathetic drive, such as sweating or palpitation symptoms" and so lead to a beta-blocker being prescribed?
Being a doctor is fun 🙂
If I am offered treatment looks like it'll be an ACE-inhibitor though my anxiety/stress issues might count as "evidence of increased sympathetic drive, such as sweating or palpitation symptoms" and so lead to a beta-blocker being prescribed?
Beta blockers don't reduce stress, just reduce one symptom: elevated heart rate (which reduces blood pressure). If you do lots of sport they're a killer as you can't exercise properly. If anxiety is a long term issue, SSRIs might be better.
I'd not fancy beta blockers for that very reason (other than perhaps for short term use to get past a stressful situation), and pretty much have the stress/anxiety under control so don't think they or SSRIs are the way to go.
I did 4 years on beta blockers. they were far worse than the ailment to deal with.
like having a pressure cooker lid on your head, just waiting to pop when you try to exercise.
Mine is up in the higher range of above normal, but I really don't like the thoughts of taking meds... especially long term.
I am the most laid back person on the planet, I'm reasonably fit, if a little on the wrong side of heavyish. Mine has been like this for 10 years and I can and still exercise hard regularly.
I don't really understand that what's the difference between normal for me and should have meds... is it possible that some people are just higher than others and it's not an issue.
Not that it matters but my resting HR is 45.
On the mend Mike thanks. GP appointment this afternoon. I have to give her a copy of the ECG thingy.
miketually - MemberI'm guessing I'm not in a high risk category (white, youngish, fit, non-smoker)
This is the UK website for accurately calculating your 10 year risk of something bad happening: [url= http://www.qrisk.org/ ]QRISK2[/url]
Based upon that and the number of crashes on MTBs and motorbikes and the high risk activities I partake, I'm WAY more likely to die on 2 wheels 🙂
Very dark chocolate and drinking strong cocoa (like Divine Cocoa for instance) are both ment to help lower blood pressure.
This is the UK website for accurately calculating your 10 year risk of something bad happening: [url= http://www.qrisk.org/index.php ]QRISK2[/url]
According to that:
Your risk of having a heart attack or stroke within the next 10 years is: 1%
In other words, in a crowd of 100 people with the same risk factors as you, 1 are likely to have a heart attack or stroke within the next 10 years.Your score has been calculated using the data you entered.
Your body mass index was calculated as 21.46 kg/m2.How does your 10-year score compare?
Your 10-year QRISK®2 score 1%
The score of a healthy person with the same age, sex, and ethnicity* 0.8%
Relative risk** 1.2
Your QRISK® Healthy Heart Age*** 39
If I change my blood pressure to 110 and say I'm on meds for it my risk goes [i]up[/i] to 1.6%
Very dark chocolate and drinking strong cocoa (like Divine Cocoa for instance) are both ment to help lower blood pressure.
If I have to give up coffee, wine and beer I'll have to hit the dark chocolate hard to compensate.
An update...
Dropped my weekly record of BPs into the GPs on Friday. Average of the week systolic was 144 and average diastolic was 90.
The highest I recorded was 177/112. The lowest was 125/77, though that was 135/92 a minute later, so I suspect a dodgy reading.
That suggests medication is in order to me, as I can't really make any lifestyle changes.