High blood pressure

[blas]

I went to the doctor on Thursday morning, and my blood pressure was 140/60. The nurse (who wasn't really that nice to begin with and was really patronizing and overbearing, but nonetheless) said "There's no reason a 20 year old at a healthy weight should have such high blood pressure."

I can't believe it was that high. I know work has been getting to me a lot, but wow. What are some simple ways of lowering blood pressure? I intend to check it every night at work (we have a tester at work, lol) and at Wal-Mart and I have been trying my best to manage my stress. Other than prescription medication and change of diet and exercise (which I already do every day), what are some easy ways of lowering my blood pressure?

[Bella_Vixen]

Get a new job.


I'm only half joking.

[Hotfoot]

I would like to preface this post by saying that I am not a doctor.

Go see a doctor. Seriously, if you're concerned about this and you are wondering what to do, go see a doctor about it. Provide them with a full history (anything and EVERYTHING that they ask for that could be a causal factor), and go from there. You may want to think about a career change, or it could be something genetic. It's hard to say. I know that my blood pressure is absurdly low (100/70 or so) despite the fact that I'm somewhat overweight, and as far as I know, that's the result of little more than inheriting some of my father's genes.

Relaxing or cathartic activity may help as well, but I'm really getting into an area that diverges from my original point: talk to your doctor. It may not seem like much now, but the sooner you figure out if it is a problem or not, the sooner you can solve it if it is a problem or stop worrying about it if it's not.

[blas]

My doctor noticed the results when the nurse left and she took over for the consultation and the Pap smear, and she said if I wanted, any time I came in even for my Depo shot, they'd take my blood pressure readings and she said we're going to monitor it every time I come in (I have to have a Pap every 6 months until I get normal results again).

[BookstoreEscapee]

Try to work in some kind of relaxation ritual every day - meditation, a book and a cup of tea, a bubble bath, whatever floats your boat (hey, float a boat in the bathtub, if you want!:p). They say petting animals lowers blood pressure (go visit the furry things!). Get regular exercise.

You might also watch your salt intake...from what I've read, there's some debate over whether too much salt/sodium causes high blood pressure, but if you already have it, I think it's pretty much accepted that too much sodium is bad for it. (Not a doctor, mind you, I just read a lot of health stuff).

Beyond that, ask your doc what he/she would recommend. It could be that you were just a little stressed that day, and your BP is not really that high on a regular basis. I remember reading about a study that basically said people sometimes have a high reading at a doctor's appointment because they are just nervous about being at the doctor (and therefore may end up getting unnecessary treatment because they don't really have high blood pressure). So it could just be a fluke (so it's probably a good idea to get it checked when you're just going for a routine shot, since you might be less stressed then).

[Rapscallion]

I have an odd relationship with my blood pressure. If I go to the hospital or doctor and have it taken, it's high. However, each time now I tell the doctor or nurse to try again and, would you believe it, it's within parameters (though on the high side) on the second go. The times this has happened they can't understand it.

Rapscallion

[XCashier]

You might also watch your salt intake...from what I've read, there's some debate over whether too much salt/sodium causes high blood pressure, but if you already have it, I think it's pretty much accepted that too much sodium is bad for it. (Not a doctor, mind you, I just read a lot of health stuff).
I hate to bring this up, but smoking is also bad for blood pressure. Nicotine narrows blood vessels which leads to higher blood pressure.
http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/smoking_hazards_bp.htm
http://www.lifeclinic.com/focus/blood/smoking.asp
http://www.doctoronline.nhs.uk/masterwebsite1Asp/targetpages/specialts/smoking/smokinghypertension.asp

Also not a doctor, nor have ever played one on TV.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

I'm not sure, as I seem to be slightly on the other end of the scale. When I go to the doctor, my blood pressure is either within parameters or slightly low.

It's been this way since my teens and, even though I do smoke, I don't really watch my salt intake but instead have a habit of not adding salt to my food (I'll add a ton of black pepper though.)

As far as de-stressing, a good drink, a cig and my laptop works wonders. Especially if I'm listening to soft music . . . that'll help me wind down.

Another trick I like to use on occasion: a cup of hot tea before bed, especially on a chilly evening.

I've tried reading before bed, which will make me sleepy within about half an hour. That can also help.

Speaking of hot bubble baths: those work wonders. Read a book while you soak, and have a lit candle for atmosphere (and smell. Aromatherapy does help.)

Another trick to try: Valerian Root. Two capsules before bed will help you relax - just hold your nose while taking them. They have (as most vitamin and herbal supplements do) a strong yeasty smell (actually more like manure if you ask me) but it works to help you sleep by relaxing the respiratory system, which in turn helps relax your nerves. But talk with your doctor first before trying any herbal products - if you're already on medication, some herbal products can cause bad interactions with prescription meds.

Just my:2cents: worth (which I may have used a dollar due to inflation.):p

[TNT]

I have an odd relationship with my blood pressure. If I go to the hospital or doctor and have it taken, it's high. However, each time now I tell the doctor or nurse to try again and, would you believe it, it's within parameters (though on the high side) on the second go. The times this has happened they can't understand it.

Rapscallion

Sounds something like White Coat Syndrome or White Coat Hypertension (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_coat_hypertension). My doctor likes to take a reading at the beginning of a visit and again near the end, to see if there's any change.

I've had BP problems of my own. About a year ago, my pressure was high -- not high enough to treat, but high enough that it needed to be monitored.

By March of this year, it had gotten even higher, and I had to go on medication.

A few months after that, it went too low, and I was pulled off the medication.

Everything's been fine since then. I'm not sure what the explanation is (or even if there is one).

[Rapscallion]

Interesting - I never felt anxious on any of these visits, and the second reading was immediately after the first.

Rapscallion

[TNT]

Another link about White Coat Syndrome has this to say, "The patient generally
does not feel the slightest bit of apprehension when coming to the doctor, or even in the office when the blood pressure is high. The mechanism appears to occur at a subconscious level."

http://mens-health.health-cares.net/white-coat-syndrome.php

It still doesn't explain why an immediate second reading is lower.

[cinema guy]

I have high blood pressure, have had since my late 20s. Mine is probably genetic. But I wasn't diagnosed with it until several results were high and the Doctor had ruled out kidney and heart problems, including a chest X-ray, kidney ultrasound and a visit to a cardiac specialist.

Now, whenever I go for a check up and it is high, the nurse says come back in a couple of weeks. It is usually fine then.

But reduce your salt intake, reduce your fat intake and cut down on smoking, alcohol and coffee, and eat more fruit and veg. Excercise is good too, but you've mentioned that you do, Blas.

My mum suffers from white coat syndrome. Her BP was measured for 24 hours recently, and it was only high during the times she was at the hospital having the 24 hour monitor fitted and removed. :)

[morgana]

Another factor might be the nurse herself. If she was being a snot to you for a few minutes before taking your BP, that in itself might raise the reading.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Try going into a place like Walmart or someplace where you can get a blood pressure reading (wait till AFTER the holidays so it's not a madhouse). The others here are right, you might be having a reaction to being at the doc's.

Also, yeah. Quitting smoking is kind of a no-brainer.

Also, and this will sound like a broken record from me, but quit with the simple carbs and sugars and add some fats and proteins to your diet. I'm not saying you have to do low carb, but too much crap food puts a strain on your system. By crap food I mean sugar, starches, etc. I know at least 5 people off the top of my head who lowered their blood pressure going a lower-carb diet. My own blood pressure is perfect, and I'm twice your age.

[auntiem]

My blood pressure is horribly high, has been my whole life. If you want to stay away from medication then I'd suggest cutting out salt as much as possible and drinking as much juice as possible. Also I suggest taking up knitting - seriously. Knitting for an hour or so a day has helped me lower my blood pressure (well, aside from when I'm trying to learn something like knitting socks - I'm sure my pressure went thru the roof until I managed to figure it out).

[blas]

I could lower my salt intake, but it's not that high to start with....I've been switching to water and less soda, but I've been doing that for almost a month now.

I heard petting a kitty will lower it, but the day I went to the doctor, I had been playing vigorously with Baby (she was in heat and really playful)..