momma aimee Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 ok so today at doc BP was 172/ 96 today at home it was 167 / 97 i have been having tingeing and numberness in my hand. last 3 med checks -- in last 10 weeks -- bveen high, though not that hgih, at each of them. so Doc starts me on a LOW does of lisinopril. Says i don't weighgt enough to loose any, i already work out and my diet can't be bad enough to be the sole cause. none of my 3 current meds, or the one i jsut stopped, have HbP as a side effect ... so he is thinking heriditary. I see him again 2 weeks. do i am tracking my BP doubleing my water in take and cutting out salt -- but i have no weight to loose. though i am at 126 and i have never been over 120 unless preggo -- i'lkl weight tonight naked. so i need a list of 1. things to do naturally 2. questions for the doc about this for 2 weeks from now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Twain Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 It is good to do as many lifestyle changes as you can, but definitely take the bp med if you need it. It is important to manage your bp well to avoid unnecessary complications. My MIL had high bp for many years which was not treated due to her own neglect of her health. She ended up with strokes and early dementia. She is a good example of what not to do. Make sure you get blood work done in 1-2 weeks to check your creatinine and potassium levels, among other things. Your doctor should do this, but I just mention in case he/she doesn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Yes hp can be hereditary same as having high cholesterol. Some genetics play a factor. High bp runs in our family. Watch your sodium intake. Fast foods and processed foods are culprits. Check all medications because some interact with bp medicine and some affect your bp. Drink lots of water and watch the caffeine. I took lisinopril for a while but it gave me a hacking cough. Found out the cough was a side affect and I had thought it was allergies. Glad I mentioned it to my doctor and he switched me to cozaar. Agree with Ms Twain. Make sure get blood work done to check all levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Cut down on your caffiene intake as well, if that is an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancer67 Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 It is hereditary here to. I have had HBP since I was 37. But never got treated until I was 41.(I am 44 now). I also take lisinopril. I take 5 mg, and 12.5 of atenenol. (Lisinopril can drop your BP like a rock quickly so keep a close eye on it). Salt doesn't effect my BP. Although it isn't good for you and some people's BP spike when they use it. Also, since you are on Lisinopril, watch your potassium intake in foods. Stay away from Sea salts, potatoes and bananas.(or eat in moderation). Lisinopril has a side effect of high potassium. My Dr. didn't check my bloodwork in a few weeks. She did it in 6 months. Now I get yearly bloodwork, which includes kidney and liver function tests. I tried all the natural routes. Nothing helped for me. Both my parents have HBP, with my father going undiagnosed for years, and ended up with a cerebral aneurysm at age 48. He is 70 now, survived it. But not without severe consequences. My mother always refused to see a Dr. until 5 years ago she was in the ER and her BP was 210/120. It is amazing she did not have a stroke. My maternal and paternal grandmother were both in their 30's and 40's when they were DX as well. I panicked about it when I first had to start taking meds. But now, I am used to it, and I check my BP once a week. I run about 110/78 now, where I used to be about where you were. If you want to try natural things, magnesium is supposed to help. And exercise, along with diet. Some of us though, just got unlucky and inherited the bad genes.:tongue_smilie: :grouphug: to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiddenJewel Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Research the differences of regular salt and true sea salt (like Celtic or Redmond). They aren't the same. Your body needs sodium. But it has to be able to utilize it appropriately to be healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Please consider seeing a cardiologist and not your GP to deal with the high blood pressure. It may be just bad genes but it could also be other issues, too. Some other meds can cause HBP even if you have been on them for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Google the DASH diet. While your diet may not be bad enough to have caused the high bp, diet can help bring it down. Pomegranate juice can bring down systolic bp. I can't remember how much you need to drink--maybe a glass a day? You can google that, too. just make sure you're drinking 100% pomegranate. Also, get enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep can shoot your bp up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momma aimee Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 Please consider seeing a cardiologist and not your GP to deal with the high blood pressure. It may be just bad genes but it could also be other issues, too. Some other meds can cause HBP even if you have been on them for years. good thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momma aimee Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 thanks everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Okay, I realize you don't have weight to lose and you may know much of this already. Just copying and pasting, so excuse me if it's overwhelming. Have your blood pressure checked at least once a year. If it’s greater than 120/80, check it more often – check it 3 separate times at the same time of day. Normal: Below 120/80 Pre-Hypertension: 120/80 to 139/89 Hypertension: 140/90 Although high blood pressure often shows no signs, the usual symptoms are: • headaches • dizziness • noises or ringing in the ears • hemorrhages in the eyes • sweating • rapid pulse • shortness of breath • vision disturbances • heavy snoring High blood pressure and diabetes are related. The two often appear together, especially in obese patients. If you have mild hypertension or are at risk, get tested for diabetes. If your blood pressure is high and your doctor has put you on meds, you could be taking them for the rest of your life. They’re not only expensive, they can have side effects like fatigue, nausea, headaches, abdominal cramping, congestive heart failure, depression, and poor memory. Rx and OTC drugs should be reserved for situations after all else fails. Read about the methods below. Discuss them your doctor, and give them a 3-month trial. Then have your doctor monitor you and tell you how to get off your meds safely. Increase your physical activity Lose excess weight Limit salt Stop smoking for good WEIGHT LOSS Even a 5-10% weight loss can greatly help reduce blood pressure. It helps to have a positive, determined attitude (not so easy, but it really does help). A defeatist attitude won’t work. Address your emotional and physiological cravings. Use emotional answers to emotional problems. Food is only a temporary fix. Control your portions. Chew your food well. Reduce your portions and wait 15 minutes before taking seconds. Change your diet. Eat more dense foods that turn to sugar more slowly – beans, fish, and chicken. Concentrate on eating some protein (including beans and tofu) with each meal. Eat lots of vegetables. Drink water throughout the day. Exercise more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 EAT MORE Potassium balances your blood pressure Potassium is found in bananas, avocados, prunes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beet greens, and yogurt – most fruits and vegetables contain potassium Eat fresh vegetables twice a day and fruit at least once a day, to give you enough potassium with very little sodium. Potassium will also establish a natural diuretic effect to help clear salt out of your body. In an 8-week study, 70 per cent got a reduction from potassium. Don’t just increase your intake of potassium-rich foods, You need sufficient magnesium before potassium can be raised. Fortunately, many foods that are high in potassium are also high in magnesium. They include nuts, green-leafy vegetables, and beans. Eat some of them every day. Magnesium promotes dilation of the arteries, reduces resistance to blood flow and helps lower blood pressure Low magnesium is a hidden risk for high blood pressure A high magnesium intake is associated with lower blood pressure Magnesium is also available in whole grain foods and soy products Your diet and supplements should be high in magnesium. Whole Foods – fresh fruits and vegetables Nuts, seeds, soy, cold-pressed vegetable oils When all else fails, try a temporary vegetarian diet. Plenty of whole grains, beans, vegetables, and some fruit – will give you plenty of nutrients needed to keep hypertension at bay Try a vegetarian diet for at least 3 weeks, but preferably for 3 months, or if you really can’t – try eating like a vegetarian once a week. Choose a black bean burger over beef, for example, or stir-fry tofu instead of pork. Vegetarians have one-third to one-half less hypertension than non-vegetarians You can include fish – but make sure you get good-quality fish Beet Juice The nitrate content of beet juice helps lower blood pressure, research has shown. Try to do a detox fast for 3-5 days each month. Juicing veggies as often as possible is very beneficial. Tea is high in antioxidants and its flavonoids fight hypertension. Drinking 1-3 cups per day has been found to lower blood pressure. Hibiscus tea is excellent also. Look for a standardized extract of hibiscus. Many herbal teas contain hibiscus. Look for herbal blends that list it near the top of the chart of ingredients. Sesame seeds lower blood pressure and cholesterol even better than Rx drugs! Cook with sesame oil and eat sesame seeds every day. Sesame seeds are a good source of minerals (calcium, magnesium, and potassium) that counteract the effects of too much sodium in the diet. Grapes have natural pressure-lowering compounds Regularly eating 1 cup of yogurt (plain, Greek-style) daily can help get blood pressure under control. Nutmeg lowers blood pressure. Try to get ½ to 1 teaspoon a day. Lypocene lowers blood pressure. Eat more tomatoes – more beneficial when cooked in olive oil Chicken Soup – The broth is rich in collagen proteins that can significantly lower blood pressure. Make your soup with chicken legs and feet – they contain the highest amounts of collagen protein. ½ ounce dark chocolate every other day or so – at least 70% cocoa – dark chocolate contains flavanols that make blood vessels more elastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 EAT LESS Getting the salt out of your diet requires one basic strategy: Eat more natural foods (fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, eggs, lean poultry and meats, unsalted nuts and seeds, and whole grains). Seafood, kelp and other sea vegetables contain sodium but add much-needed iodine as well. Iodine is necessary for the thyroid gland to function correctly. Lowering your salt intake is not good enough. Eliminate ALL salt from your diet. Read all labels carefully and avoid those food products that have “soda,†“sodium,†or the symbol “Na†on the label. Start with the “% Daily Value†of sodium, and never buy foods that contain more than 16 percent of the Daily Value or foods that have a sodium content of greater than 300 mg per serving. Canned foods should be limited. Even things like ketchup, dips, relishes, mustard, and salad dressings are packed with /sodium. Also peruse the ingredients label for sodium in all its various forms: baking powder or soda, disodium phosphate, monosodium glutamate (MSG), sea seal, sodium alginate, sodium aluminum sulfate, sodium ascorbate, sodium benzoate, sodium bisulfite, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium caseinate, sodium erythorbate, sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium hydroxide, sodium nitrate and/or nitrite, sodium pectinate, sodium propionate, sodium pyrophosphate, sodium saccharin, and sodium sulfite. Understand as well, the meaning of “sodium-free†and similar claims. “Sodium-free†means that a food contains less than 5 mg of sodium per serving. “Very-low-sodium†means a food has less than 35 mg per serving. “Low-sodium†means a food contains 140 mg or less per serving. You probably add 5 percent of your daily salt intake from your shaker or salt grinder. You can cut some by substituting sesame salt (or gomasio, a combination of sea salt and ground sesame seeds, popular in Asian and macrobiotic cooking). Make your meals come alive with savory salt-free seasonings like cumin, curry, chili, and cayenne. The good news is that for most people, it’s easier to cut down on salt than to reduce fat or sugar. Just don’t reduce sodium too quickly. Be especially vigilant about processed foods – salad dressing, pasta sauce, instant hot cereal. Reducing sodium lowers blood pressure in some people, but not everyone. One reason could be a sodium/potassium imbalance. You do need a lot of potassium. In one study of people with high blood pressure, a diet low in sodium and high in potassium worked better than just lowering salt intake. Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, which tend to be high in potassium Learn to enjoy the taste of foods as they are—nibble on garden fresh greens and herbs Avoid processed foods, especially bouillon and commercial soups, breads and crackers, cheeses, chips, cured meats (bacon, bologna, corned beef, ham, salami), pretzels, and salt-cured foods (olives and pickles). Pure maple syrup has almost no sodium while commercial pancake syrups do. Read the sodium content on ingredient labels. Many so-called “natural†meats and poultry found in the supermarket have added sodium. A half-cup serving of Prego’s Heart Smart Traditional Italian Sauce has 430 mg of sodium even though it doesn’t taste salty. Eat at home more often. Restaurant food—particularly fast food—is notoriously high in sodium. A Premium Caesar Salad at McDonald’s has a whopping 890 mg of sodium—without the dressing! Always taste your food before you salt it. Try squeezing on a little lemon or lime juice first. Stimulate your sense of smell and increase flavor by adding more aromatic herbs to your meals. Start your day off right. Bagels are not only high in carbs but also sodium (up to 440 mg per serving). Cow’s milk and cheese are high in sodium – keep your dairy intake low When you reduce your sodium intake to 2.5 grams a day (2500 mg) or less, you are reducing your risk for hypertension – especially if you’re over the age of 60. Traditional Chinese medicine suggests that salt cravings are the body’s attempt to balance too much sugar or alcohol in the diet. Watching your intake of these substances can help you cut out salty processed foods—while contributing to healthy weight loss and lower blood pressure. Simple carbohydrates – particularly white bread, potatoes, and pasta – can send blood pressure soaring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Don’t depend only on supplements. Diet is very important. Vitamin C lessens overall inflammation and inhibits the production of C-reactive protein Plays a role in keeping blood pressure down Vitamin C with bioflavonoids – 500-1000 mg daily - If you’re prone to heartburn or acid reflux, avoid ascorbic acid – and opt for Ester-C. 400- 1000 IU Vitamin E is very important. Vitamin E improves heart function. Take d-alpha, NOT dl-alpha. 2000 mg Potassium Only take supplemental potassium if your health care practitioner advises it. It’s better to take a dietary approach. Potassium tends to balance your blood pressure Potassium will also establish a natural diuretic effect to help clear salt out of your body. In an 8-week study, 70 per cent got a reduction from potassium. CAUTION: If you have kidney problems, check w/your doctor before significantly increasing your potassium or before taking potassium supplements. 400-1200 mg Magnesium daily Magnesium influences how the heart and blood vessels contract and relax. It promotes dilation of the arteries, reduces resistance to blood flow and helps lower blood pressure Low magnesium is a hidden risk for high blood pressure A high magnesium intake is associated with lower blood pressure There’s no fixed amount of magnesium that each of us needs Your body knows how much you can tolerate from bowel tolerance – take as much magnesium as your bowels can tolerate Add 100 mg of magnesium to your nutritional supplements, and increase it by 100 mg every few days until your stools are soft, but not uncomfortably loose. Calcium, magnesium, and many other minerals are best absorbed when they are bound to an acidic carrier such as citrate, aspartate, picolinate, or amino acid chelate. Minerals need an acidic base to break down and get used. The most absorbable forms are magnesium citrate, glycinate taurate, or aspartate, although magnesium bound to Kreb cycle chelates (malate, succinate, fumarate) are also good. Avoid magnesium carbonate, oxide, sulfate, and gluconate. They are poorly absorbed (and the cheapest and most common forms found in supplements). Most minerals are best taken as a team with other minerals in a multi-mineral formula. A good Fish Oil – such as Carlson’s If you have high blood pressure, high triglycerides, or other signs of heart disease, 3-5 grams is helpful. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking medications to make sure there are no negative interactions. Fish oils thin the blood just like aspirin, gingko biloba, and garlic. You don’t want to thin your blood so much that it causes bleeding. Niacin reduces high blood pressure You can’t get enough niacin in your diet to achieve blood pressure benefits To gain a cardiovascular benefit, you need at least 500 mg. At this dosage, many commonly experience flushing, which subsides within an hour. So, it’s best to avoid taking it right before leaving the house or going to sleep. These symptoms can be minimized if the niacin is taken with aspirin or a meal. In fact, flushing is a positive sign that blood vessels are dilating in response to the niacin, and patients who flush ultimately raise their HDLs and lower their triglycerides more than those who don’t flush. Niacin is more effective than niacinamide. CAUTION: Do not take more than 2000 mg daily. Very high doses can damage the liver. One capsule of 500 mg per day is the usual recommendation. Be careful if you have prediabetes or diabetes. Niacin can raise levels of blood glucose. This effect is generally mild, though, and doesn’t outweigh its heart-protecting benefits. But it’s good to consult with your doctor before taking it. Also use caution if pregnant, have glaucoma, gout, liver disease, or peptic ulcers. There are some others - Resveratrol , CoQ10, etc. - but would rather not overwhelm you for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 REGULAR EXERCISE 30 minutes of mild to moderate aerobic exercise done for 3-6 days a week can lower your blood pressure. If you think you have no time, ask yourself if you have time to recover from heart disease, or if you have time to spend sitting in doctors’ offices With high blood pressure, the priority is relaxation. Intense, unpleasant exercise can actually increase stress levels and even blood pressure in the long term. It’s far better to exercise at an easier pace but for a longer time. Build up your exercise levels gradually and slowly if you’re just starting out. A brisk walk is enough. Walking is very beneficial in reducing systolic blood pressure. Gentle Rebounding (see lymphasizing tip below) Many yoga poses and the regular practice of yoga help relieve symptoms of high blood pressure. Yoga is fabulous for high blood pressure. Do housework. Doing roughly 50 minutes of housework daily can lower blood pressure. Housework is great exercise, plus living in a clean, organized home can help reduce stress. Breathe deeply. Slow breathing and practices such as yoga or tai chi decrease stress hormones, which elevate rennin, a kidney enzyme that raises blood pressure. Try 5 minutes of deep breathing every morning and night. Inhale deeply and expand your belly. Exhale and release all of your tension. LIFESTYLE AND ANY OTHER TIPS Any form of stress can increase the blood pressure, but obviously chronic stress is the most harmful, because it’s not a temporary condition. You need to set aside time to use some form of daily stress reduction like deep breathing, meditation, or prayer. Not dashing off a quick note to God to ask for calmness, but rather taking 10-30 minutes a day to do some form of active stress reduction. Do something on a regular basis to lower your stress. Laughter – funny movies, books, and looking at the humorous side of things, even in the midst of tragedy Take a night out – movies, concerts, plays, artistic events, and even sporting events – these have been found in a major study to have a strong influence on longevity Togetherness – just being with friends and loved ones Positive, Proactive Approach – If necessary, get professional help to overcome excessive negativity or fatalism Hypertension is a common symptom of a congested lymphatic system. Things that help to clear up the lymphatic system and that should be done very regularly: Rebounding Deep Breathing – few minutes morning and evening Dry Body Brushing Massage and/or Reflexology Swinging Only small, frequent meals should be eaten The way you sleep may also be important in helping control high blood pressure. Try sleeping with the head end of your bed elevated 8 to 12 inches above the foot end (use concrete building blocks). On rising, sit up slowly and dangle your feet over the edge of the bed for a few moments before standing. Those who get 5 or fewer hours of sleep a night are twice as likely to develop hypertension compared to those who get 7 hours. Don’t lift anything heavy Try talking less. Virtually any communication can raise blood pressure. Speaking can cause blood pressure to increase by 10 to 50 percent. Classical Music – If you listen to 12 minutes of classical music just 3 times a week, in 4 months your systolic (upper) blood pressure may be 7 to 9 mmHg lower. Sit up straight and improve your posture. Your blood pressure can drop by up to 40% as a result of acupuncture! Don’t smoke – obviously Drink hard water, not soft water. Soft water leaches heavy metals like lead out of pipes and faucets. Calcium and magnesium make water hard. Your body needs both of them. Why put toxic metals into your body when you could put essential minerals in it instead? Drinking hard water is associated with lower blood pressure, possibly because of its magnesium content. The toxins in soft water can contribute to high blood pressure. If you have a water softener, buy bottled water for cooking and drinking. BOOK “The High Blood Pressure Solution†by Dr. Richard Moore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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