High-ish blood pressure

[NaeMo]

I rarely go in to see doctors.

I went for a checkup this week. All my blood numbers look fabulous. But my BP was 13x/9x.

I think it had been creeping up for a while, but once I started losing weight it looked to be all right. So I stopped checking.

I'm bummed, he wanted to prescribe BP meds (based on one reading, I was floored!!). I know nothing about meds for this. I put him off, asking if exercise would help, he said possibly. I'm also cutting my caffeine. I had had a 3rd cuppa coffee yesterday within an hour or two of my appointment.

I get rechecked in 3 weeks. I've been on strict low carb for a good 6 weeks, possibly a little longer. I was doing 6 week cure (and had quit caffeine for the first two weeks), and I am wondering if I just can't tolerate caffeine anymore. OH! And I usually forget to take most of my Potassium, even though I have tablets here. Possibly a factor?

Any other strategies to reduce BP (please don't tell me to cut salt, I know about that one, I've already started using Lite Salt).

[mcsblues]

I wouldn't get excited about one 'white coat' influenced reading, and as for your quack wanting to medicate you on that basis ...:rolleyes:

If you are in any way concerned I would get a home BP tester (your doc might have one you can borrow?) that way you can test yourself in more relaxed environment ... and more than once!:nod:

Despite what 'we' are told only a small percentage of 'us' are salt sensitive (as it affects BP) so I would carry on doing what you are doing ... it is fairly clearly working ... isn't it?:)

[S Bear]

A number of studies now show that, at least in some highly at-risk populations (other populations haven't been studied), lowering blood pressure with medication has no health benefits. Except at very high levels, high blood pressure is a symptom of a health problem, but not the cause of health problems, and artificially lowering it does not solve the underlying problems or lower anyone's health risks.

Although I don't agree with all of the information presented in this short article (http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/blood-pressure-blood-pressure-control-with-medication-does-not-prevent-heart-attack-stroke-or-death.html), it will steer you to some of the studies that have called the whole rationale for blood-pressure medications into question.

Blood pressure measured during a doctor's visit is no longer assumed to be the most accurate assessment of typical blood pressure. Most physicians (and their assistants) don't even follow the proper protocols for measuring it. Did you rest quietly for five minutes first? Did any of the office staff engage you in conversation? If so, then the measurement was taken improperly. Read this post (http://thebloodpressureblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/why-your-doctors-office-blood-pressure.html) to see why doctor's-office readings are usually wrong.

Blood pressure varies tremendously throughout the day. Look at how much it soars upwards from common daily activities (http://thebloodpressureblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/blood-pressure-changes-from-common.html).

Prescribing medication based on a single measurement of a slight blood pressure elevation is irresponsible, and not recommended even by the American Heart Association, which is probably the most pro-drug organization on the planet.

I could go on and on, but it's raising my blood pressure writing about this.

[gitfiddle]

I'm bummed, he wanted to prescribe BP meds (based on one reading, I was floored!!). I know nothing about meds for this. I put him off, asking if exercise would help, he said possibly. I'm also cutting my caffeine. I had had a 3rd cuppa coffee yesterday within an hour or two of my appointment.Mine always runs high-normal or even higher at doctor appointments. The best time to take BP is when you get up in the morning and just before bed at night, when you're winding down. Sit quietly for five minutes, have your feet flat on the floor. Don't be talking (ever have that happen at the doctor's office?:rolleyes:) or watching TV or doing anything. Take your reading. That's your resting BP.

I did that for a month and presented the chart to my doctor, who loved it, and he didn't ask me to go back on meds. It's well worth it to have a home machine.

Congratulation on the fabulous blood number, NaeMo! :)

[NaeMo]

Thank you all! Very reassuring. :)

The nurse violated every rule of the protocol you posted, S_Bear.

I have a home monitor, I'll begin using that and logging my results. Although my doctor said he thought home monitors did more harm than good. Hmph.

[S Bear]

I have a home monitor, I'll begin using that and logging my results. Although my doctor said he thought home monitors did more harm than good.

Well, Thomas Pickering (who I believe used to be president of the American Heart Association) gives all kinds of reasons not too put much creedence--or base treatment--on measurements in doctor's offices. Maybe you should give your doctor this abstract (http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/98/18/1834).

Home monitoring is recommended by both the American Heart Association and the World Heart Federation. Work by Pickering and others showed that millions without high blood pressure were being needlessly medicated.

Furthermore, the newest studies show that home blood pressure monitoring in patients with genuine high blood pressure results in better blood pressure control and a reduction in blood pressure. For example, take a look at this (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/192392.php).

I'd strongly recommend another doctor. He is clearly out of touch with current research and procedures, and is too quick to reach for medicines that have been shown to have no health benefit. That's my idea of someone who is dangerous to the health of his patients.

[NaeMo]

Thank you, again!

FTR, my last 2 readings were 108/76 and (most recent) 112/66. Those look pretty good to me. It stinks that I sometimes start having anxiety about the reading right before my cuff inflates. LOL!

[gitfiddle]

NaeMo, deep breathing to relax helps. I pretend that I can feel my blood pressure dropping while I'm breathing.

[mcsblues]

I think shooting your doctor would also help you relax!;)

If I were you I would suggest maybe the relevant medical authorities would like to be made aware that he wanted to medicate you ... (Please take a picture of the expression on his face when you do!:lol:)

[gitfiddle]

I think shooting your doctor would also help you relax!;)Only temporarily, Malcolm. Is that the way you do it in Australia? :rolleyes:

[mcsblues]

Only temporarily, Malcolm.Oooh I don't know, after that sort of advice, I can see it giving me a warm inner glow for some time!;)
Is that the way you do it in Australia? :rolleyes:Of course! You don't think this has anything to do with the Eades not visiting do you?:tongue:

[NaeMo]

I think shooting your doctor would also help you relax!;)


My current doc is an avid hunter, I think he's a better shot than me. What's "Plan B"? :D

[mcsblues]

My current doc is an avid hunter, I think he's a better shot than me. What's "Plan B"? :DAll the better. I'm sure he would prefer a 'hunting accident' to a malpractice suit ... who wouldn't?!;)