Blood Pressure

[pooks]

A few weeks ago I was at the dentist's office and they asked if I was being treated for my high blood pressure.

What? Me? Never had it in my life.

But suddenly, I did. Not off the charts high, but 137/109.

I went to my family doc and told her that I was scheduled for day surgery (gynecological) the next week, and wondered if the BP would be a problem. She handed me some samples, told me they'd bring it down for the surgery, and then to come back and see her when they were gone.

I am going back to see her today. I don't want to take the meds and am going to talk to her about bringing it down with diet and exercise. (This is why I bought the bike! Finally did something I'd been wanting to do for yonks -- BP went up and I thought, "Yay! I need to buy a bike!")

My gynecologist also rides -- she and her husband are training for the Hotter n Hell Hundred. Yikes. We talked about it briefly while the anesthesiologist (sp?) was trying to find a good vein Wednesday. (Ouch.) At least I have a doc who knows the cycling ropes if I have any questions, though.

So anyway, I'm just curious -- how many of you have had BP issues. Anybody bring them down with diet and exercise? How'd that go?

I'm not looking for a substitute for medical advice. Just wondering about some of the experiences here.

[Veronica]

I have 5 living siblings. Only two of us don't have high blood pressure. In my family it seems to be weight related. My mom also has high blood pressure. My mom and two of my sisters have joint problems too. Funny - most of my joint problems went away when I lost weight. They use problem knees as an excuse to NOT exercise. Whatever...

My father in law lost some weight to try to get off the blood pressure meds. He's not off them completely yet - I think at one time he was taking three. Just scary. Now he's down to one or two, can't remember which he said.

V.

[pooks]

Weight is probably part of mine, V -- I say probably because both my parents have/had weight probs and neither ever had high BP. My grandmother was overweight and never had high BP. All of them were at least as much overweight as I am, and sometimes more, so it's a little difficult to make that connection, but I definitely have the weight issue.

However, I'm also living with a lot of stress and have been for a few years, which could also be an issue.

But I'm inspired to see your skinny pics and know you once had to deal with weight! Congrats!

[MomOnBike]

It was my blood pressure that got me back on bikes. (stop me if you've heard this already) One day at work I asked a nurse to take by blood pressure just for grins. She didn't grin. She turned white and sent me home with instructions not to stroke out on her.

OK, a year and a half later, my BP is closer to normal, and I still have weight issues. BUT my O2 sats are up where they should be (upper 90%s) and my up-and-about (as opposed to resting) heart rate is down in the upper 60-lower 70 range. (I can check these easily at work) There has been progress.

One thing though, the BP meds come with a warning that they make you sun-sensitive. True. I'm learning to ride in long sleeves and use much sunscreen - or ride at night.

[Grog]

[SOAPBOX]
I am not a doctor, but I am very interested in health policy, and really concerned with the crazy numbers of people who are diagnosed with "high blood pressure" these days.

Over the past 20 years, the threshold for "high" in blood pressure measurement has gone down every time they revised the guidelines. There is very strong pressure on the part of the pharmaceutical industry to keep on lowering the numbers (and increasing the number of people on meds, hence the shareholder benefits). A lot of people are getting medication instead of a prescription for lifestyle change (diet, exercise, stress reduction...). Of course, it's easier to be compliant with taking pills than changing your lifestyle... Many of my doctor-friends are really concerned with the epidemics - of prescription, not of HBP. There is at least as much politics and economics behind those guidelines than actual medical knowledge...

So bottom line, for me, is: ride, make sure you eat well and probably loose some weight, reduce your stress (which will also help you eat, sleep better) and do that for a few months to see if it positively affect your blood pressure before going on medication.

And if you do go on medication, I'd suggest you make sure you ask your doctor about the REAL reduction in risk of heart problems. It's probably much less than some people would like us to think. You need this information to make an informed decision. And ask many questions about the specific med prescribed. Some cost nearly nothing, some (newer ones) are really really expensive, and not necessarily much more efficient.
[/SOAPBOX]

And, by the way, last time I got my blood pressure measured, I had had a fast ride just 2 hours before. 150/110 was the reading. Nobody panicked, doctor just told me to check it again sometime when I walk in a pharmacy...

[Gray Gato]

When I saw this thread title, I jumped right in.

I'm 47, always been active... mostly running but some triathlons in my past.
Incredibly healthy with low resting pulse, low BP, cholesterol, etc.

In the past year, I've relied on cycling for my cardio workouts. 30 years of running has taken it's toll on my knees...

Two days ago I went to the doc and BP was 142/72. I freaked. All I can think about is I'm not getting as good a cardio as when I ran all the time?

(Also, I agree with Grog re pharmaceutical industry...)

[btchance]

Okay, I'm not a doctor yet, although I pretend to be (student, who definately doesn't know any where near everything). One bp reading, especially at what your's was, is not a major concern. A lot of people get nervous going to doctors and dentist offices (mine goes up by about 15, as does my HR). I would have it taken on multiple occasions, maybe at home if that's possible, and see if it stays elevated. If it does stay elevated, it is still in the mild HTN range, (> 140/90) which is normally treated with diet and exercise, and if it doesn't go down with that, then adding one medication usually. I would definately go and talk to your doctor, see if your bp is still high, and discuss other options than meds, which do have SE.