Bah! high blood pressue

[vi edit]

Went in for the annual nut fondling...errr physical exam today.

Weight - lowest it's been in years, 24 BMI index. Good.
Cholesterol - 100 "bad", 58 "good". Overall Excellent.
Pulse - 56 BPM. Good.
Nuts - both there, and in good shape. Good.
Blood pressue - 143/80 ACK! Pretty high, for somebody my age and shape. Doh! I have to go in and get monitored and maybe put on some perscription medication.

 

[Hoober]

I thought 120/80 was pretty good. Is 140/80 that big of a difference?

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Hoober
I thought 120/80 was pretty good. Is 140/80 that big of a difference?

I'm on the low end of hypertension. The concern, I guess, is because I'm relatively young.

 

[AstIsis]

How stressed are you? This can make a significant difference in your BP. My systolic can increase as much as 20 points when I am under extreme stress.

 

[Chadder007]

IB it was just white coat syndrome. When they take your blood pressure when your first sit down...if its high, have them take it again later.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: AstIsis
How stressed are you? This can make a significant difference in your BP. My systolic can increase as much as 20 points when I am under extreme stress.

Uhhh...A lot. I've been working 50-60 hour weeks for the last three months with a ton of travel and a bunch of very lofty (and unreasonable) expectations by management.

 

[AstIsis]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: AstIsis
How stressed are you? This can make a significant difference in your BP. My systolic can increase as much as 20 points when I am under extreme stress.

Uhhh...A lot. I've been working 50-60 hour weeks for the last three months with a ton of travel and a bunch of very lofty (and unreasonable) expectations by management.

That will do it everytime! Take some time for yourself if possible and maybe increase your exercise. I have found that lifting seems to help relieve some of the stress. I also love racketball or tennis but have no one to play with now. Whacking that ball is highly therapeutic.

 

[blackdogdeek]

Originally posted by: AstIsis

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: AstIsis
How stressed are you? This can make a significant difference in your BP. My systolic can increase as much as 20 points when I am under extreme stress.

Uhhh...A lot. I've been working 50-60 hour weeks for the last three months with a ton of travel and a bunch of very lofty (and unreasonable) expectations by management.

That will do it everytime! Take some time for yourself if possible and maybe increase your exercise. I have found that lifting seems to help relieve some of the stress. I also love racketball or tennis but have no one to play with now. Whacking that ball is highly therapeutic.

it might sound hokey, but i find meditation helps with my blood pressure. and overall equilibrium.

EDIT: and stress level.

 

[kranky]

Try all other options (diet, exercise, etc.) before taking the meds. I have a few friends who were very surprised to find out that their blood pressure medication caused a certain, um, unstiffness.

 

[vi edit]

Whacking that ball is highly therapeutic.

I *try* to get out and walk 9-18 holes 2-3 times a week. Both for exercise and stress relief.

 

[HappyPuppy]

I'm probably a bit older than you and my BP is a little higher than yours. The doc just told me to start taking one baby aspirin/day. It thins the blood slightly, it's non prescription, cheap and has no side effects. Ask your doc about it.

 

[thebestMAX]

Went off my BP medicine about a year ago after 3 years and have never felt better!!

For something that I never felt I really needed,(low 140s over low 90s) I had many side effects and felt sick quite a bit even after several changes of brand. Also made me gain weight and I think caused stomach problems for a time.

BP seems to be what they treat you for if they cant find something else.

Exercise and diet big factors as is stress.

Just MHO and experience.

 

[vi edit]

Heh...About the only time I'll take medication is if I'm on my deathbed, or if I'm in a world of hurt. I'm honestly not concerned about it as I think it's just stress related, but my wife, who is in her 3rd year of pharmacy school doesn't have the same views

 

[Fausto]

I'm inclined to agree that it's a combination of stress and "white coat syndrome". I know because I had the same thing happen to me. My BP was slightly high when I was getting screened at the CDC's exercise center and I was like "WTF? I ride my bike 200+ miles per week....no way in hell do I have high BP!" I bought a fairly inexpensive home auto-BP machine and used it a few times to check myself while I was relaxing on the couch. BP was normal.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Fausto1
I'm inclined to agree that it's a combination of stress and "white coat syndrome". I know because I had the same thing happen to me. My BP was slightly high when I was getting screened at the CDC's exercise center and I was like "WTF? I ride my bike 200+ miles per week....no way in hell do I have high BP!" I bought a fairly inexpensive home auto-BP machine and used it a few times to check myself while I was relaxing on the couch. BP was normal.

Well, the last three years I've had my yearly physical, my BP has been *considerably* lower. Like 120 over 80. I have no problems around doctors and don't get nervous about that type of stuff. It's more of a concern to them too because I've got some kidney issues...namely only one of them.

 

[Electric Amish]

143/80!?!?!

That's complete BS if they're putting you on meds for that!!! I'd get a second opinion.

I registered 147/84 on my last check and the doc just shrugged his shoulders.

amish

 

[vi edit]

Well, I think my doc is a bit med-happy, so I'm taking it with a grain of salt.

I've been having some nasty heart burn, but only a couple times a month. She wanted me to take some perscription strength Pepcid for like 4 weeks straight to "calm things down".

Ummmm...how about nooooo.

 

[kranky]

If you want to cure your med-happy doctor, try this at your next visit:

Vi: Doctor, I have a few questions, OK? Is Zyrtec right for me?
Doc: No.
Vi: Is Nexium right for me?
Doc: No.
Vi: Is Prilosec right for me?
Doc: No.
Vi: Is Flonase right for me?
Doc: Oh, look at the time. Please make an appointment for six months from now on your way out. Bye!

 

[MercenaryForHire]

My last physical showed my BP at 102/58, heart rate of 56 resting. Sleeping I'm damn near dead.

- M4H

 

[Hoober]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
My last physical showed my BP at 102/58, heart rate of 56 resting. Sleeping I'm damn near dead.

- M4H

:Q

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
My last physical showed my BP at 102/58, heart rate of 56 resting. Sleeping I'm damn near dead.

- M4H

Don't go to vi_edit's doc. He'll give you meds to raise it.

amish

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
My last physical showed my BP at 102/58, heart rate of 56 resting. Sleeping I'm damn near dead.

- M4H

Don't go to vi_edit's doc. He'll give you meds to raise it.

amish

You know, it would be nice to be able to stand up and not black out ...

- M4H

 

[Aceshigh]

140/80 is not that high at all.

 

[Lvis]

Same thing happened to me. One pill a day, is all it takes. Still have the lead in my pencil, too