Rising blood pressure

[pkq]

Can those who have gone before with rising blood pressure provide some things to look for? I've been battling not feeling good occasionally for months. Not feeling good for me is anxious, edgey, headaches (not migraines), tightness in chest, left arm hurts, etc. My pressure has been high, 140/95, once. All other times it is higher but not high.

My normal pressure in the mornings has been 105-115 over 55-65. It is now reading 125/75, which isn't high but higher for me. When I walk into the doctors office and they take my pressure, the reading is usually 120ish/70ish.

I tracked this for years. Since it was always the same, I stopped. If it has been rising slowly, I have missed it. Could that be the beginning of high blood pressure or should I look for something else?

Thank you in advance for any guidance!

[CR400]

In most cases blood pressure can raise with age. But with some of the symptoms you mention I would get checked out. It could be a heart problem lurking on the horizon. Talk to a doctor.

[bikerchick68]

I agree that with the symptoms you've mentioned you need to get to a doc and get checked... be sure to tell them about the arm pain, any numbness, tingling etc...

these symptoms can be your body's warning system letting you know something is going on...

to help lower the pressure, lay off salt and caffeine. that means canned foods (soups etc), processed foods and fast foods... my mom has been on meds for years and has to watch this closely...

[Ninabike]

I agree with what the others have said. You should see a doctor.

A high systolic (top number) is not always something to worry about, as that reading can become elevated with stress, etc. and can vary. It is the diastolic (bottom number) which is more troublesome and can indicate heart disease. Diastolics in the 70's are fine, but the 95 reading is high. I say, see a doctor and be safe!! Be sure to describe ALL your symptoms and request an EKG or, better yet, a treadmill stress test.

Nina

[Technotart]

Technically - unless you are diabetic or have some other health issue that puts you at higher risk for cardiovascular disease - that blood pressure is still well within normal limits.

It probably isn't anything to be concerned about - mild stress can raise it more than that - but still worth checking out if you are worried about it.

If you have a personal or family history of heart disease, diabetes or other conditions, they usually want to be more aggressive with it.

[pkq]

Thanks ladies! I am pretty healthy normally. Low cholesterol and all that jazz. Family history of heart disease and high blood pressure. My sister had to go on high blood pressure meds at 46, which will be here real soon for me. I was hoping to beat it. I've never been sensitive to salt other than it making me thirsty.

It could be stress. I'm going to track it and physical well being for a bit and see what shakes out.

I just moved to a new job in a new area.

[SadieKate]

I don't have any family history of heart issues, but I did notice my blood pressure was up during the first several months following my MS diagnosis. At the last check-up it was down so I think it was stress but I am kind of keeping an eye on it. Between your comments here and the other discussion on osteoporosis, I've got my list for my next female annual. At 46 and getting almost all my exercise from cycling, I'm not putting up with "normal" guidelines any longer. I insist on tetanus shot once every 5 years because I mountain bike and fish. This will be just one more battle the med professionals will have to concede. I think it is time for a bone density scan and I should start tracking my BP. Hmmmm. Growing older is great in some ways, but . . .

[Technotart]

5 years is absolutely appropriate for a tetanus booster. the guideline is 10 years when you know the date of your last one, 5 if its been more than 5 years and you have an injury. But if you are high risk for injury, then there would be nothing wrong with going ahead and just getting the booster. Some may argue

[Lise]

Funny story about tetanus shots--two summers ago, I was between steady jobs, and doing some part-time midwifery gigs. I had started riding my bike for stress relief, and to save money. The bike I had was a crappy old Schwinn that my mom's friend found in an alley and gave to me. The pedals were rusty, and they had "teeth" on them, to keep the feet from slipping off, I guess.

So one day I arrived at one of the clinics with a gash on my shin from the pedal and an unfortunate braking incident. One of the nurses said, "Let me clean that for you! When was your last tetanus shot?" I (being a nurse myself, of course) said, "Oh, I'm good, it was 9 years ago." She pointedly looked at the rusty pedal, looked at the gash on my leg, and went to get the vial of tetanus vaccine. Sheesh. I can be something of a dim-wit.

A booster every 5 years is probably a great idea for someone who bangs up her legs running and biking as much as I do. Thanks! L.

[Yasmin]

Hi pkq. I worry about the pain extending down your left arm. That definately requires the attention of a doctor, especially in the light of familial heart disease. I'm a diagnostic radiographer who used to work in CVIU (cardiovascular investigation unit). I did cardiac angiograms, stents etc & pain down the left arm is common with partial occlusion of a vessel. I'm NOT a doctor, but would advise you to see one soon. Look after yourself. Regards, Yasmin.

[Deanna]

Hi pkg,

I have to second everybody elses recommendation to see a doctor. I have high blood pressure, and what the doctors and literature always say is that it is the "silent killer" in other words, it doesn't really have symptons and can go undetected unless you have your BP checked. The fact that you are experiencing symptoms points to something else that should be investigated.

Take care of yourself.

[Crankin]

Go to the dr.! Please. . . My husband (very fit cyclist, thin, etc, but with a horrible family history) had similiar symptoms a year and a half ago. He got the blood pressure and cholesterol fixed with meds, but kept having symptoms even though NOTHING showed up on the myo-view, the non-invasive test used to check for blockages. Finally when i started climbing the hills faster and the pain was getting worse at less and less intensity levels he practically forced them to schedule an angiogram. He had 2 80% blockages and had 2 stents put in. If he hadn't pushed the issue he would have been one of those guys who dropped dead shoveling snow.
Even if you have something like this, being a cyclist will help. He was walking 2 miles 2 days after surgery and was on his bike after 5 days.

[MaryG]

Pkq –

A couple of other things to consider: decongestions can raise your blood pressure. And birth control pills that contain estrogen can do the same thing. I am 36 and had started taking birth control pills again. Within a month my blood pressure had jumped to the 150/100 range. A switch to progestin only birth control pills and antihistamines without decongestants had my blood pressure down to 128/88 in six days.

Like everyone else said, get to a doctor and be proactive. Many are old-school and still think that heart disease is a man’s issue.

Mary

[pkq]

Thanks ladies!

Robyn, that is quite a story. That is pretty dramatic with 80% blockages. My cholesterol is great, since it runs between 130's and 160's. It may not be blockages but something else.

MaryG, I don't take any meds. I know your experience with birth control pills all too well. When I was your age, they yanked all that stuff out and my issues were solved. I wouldn't recommend that path for anyone but it has been great for me. I love not worrying about that "time of the month." I do wonder if the affects of birth control pills have lasting impact.

Yasmin, so the "vein on the left side of my neck is going to burst with each beat of my heart" feeling is a bad thing, too? That's only happened one day but it was a painful day and scarey.

When I get a handle on some pressure readings and correlate those with physical feelings, I will see a doctor. But I have to find a doctor first. So far, no one at work has volunteered who they see. If any members can recommend a doctor in Canton, OH, I would be very grateful.

I'm still thinking it is just stress related. As I age my tolerance for stress decreases.

[jora1]

Hi pkq ,Relax Pkg this is major problem but you could control by easy methods
and you follow some precautions like you should have take fresh vegitables and salad.Don't take oily food .gernally blood pressure patient have dibeites.
so peolple should have control sugar. i want to suggest you also decrease your blood presssure by Dibenzyline Side effects.after taking some foods.
ok, don't take any worry things your mind.