? about hypertension.

[Darral27]

Yeah, it's worth a trip to the doc.
Do you smoke? If so it's worth looking at quitting.

I quit smoking about 2 months ago. Been using Chantix. Other than cheating a little over a week ago when my BIL was in a serious car accident I have not smoked. Did not taste good to me then.

 

[MikeDVB]

Yeah, Ive lost something like 25+ pounds in the last 6 months and one of the biggest things I did was to make sure I eat more throughout the day.

While eating and for a few hours after your metabolism stays up to burn that food and to turn it into energy. Once a few hours pass your body thinks it may need to store energy as you've obviously not come across food again and it starts to store it as fat instead of burning it as energy.

Even if it's just a pack of crackers every 3 hours, you will be surprised what kind of impact eating less food more often can do.

 

[MikeDVB]

Jeez, I need to try that.

He thinks part of me not being able to sleep is due to being self employed/stressed constantly...

I take the lorazepam and I just feel nice and mellow. The upside is that it doesn't totally incapacitate me so if something comes up I can still drive/do what I need.

 

[UnionPmedic]

You've gotten sound advice from the previous posters, but I'll pile on just to motivate you

A one time elevated BP is not a big deal; if I met you on the ambulance I would not even address it. However, if your BP is staying at that level, many bad things can happen over time; kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, etc. Sometimes these things can happen quickly or take years to develop...but we can't go back in time. Get in to your doc ASAP and see what he/she has to say.

It could be related to your insomnia also. Ask your wife if you snore, if you sound like you have irregular breathing, or you occasionally gasp for breath. If it's a yes to any of them, let your doc know.

BTW I'll be sending a bill for my services.

 

[PAMom]

Skipping meals is never a good idea and is usually counterproductive. Besides setting yourself up for binge eating later in the day you are also slowing down your metabolism & messing up your blood sugar levels. You should always eat breakfast or have some form of nutrition to start off your day. If nothing else a Special K protein shake is a good place to start.

Do NOT skip meals. The largest part of our eating should be early in the day. Yeah, not what we are accustomed to. I have found five things that will make a good start at addressing our health issues; eat right, exercise, get enough sleep, stay well hydrated, and manage stress. Obviously, other issues to address, but these go along way to feeling better and getting healthier.

 

[Leo]

Have you tried taking your blood pressure without coffee or caffine for at least 4 hours? You may be surprised. Don't postpone dealing with your blood pressure problems. Low fat/low sodium diet is a good place to start. Cholesterol is not the only issue, the day of my 1st heart attack I had only 122 cholesterol.

 

[mbills2223]

I quit smoking about 2 months ago. Been using Chantix. Other than cheating a little over a week ago when my BIL was in a serious car accident I have not smoked. Did not taste good to me then.

Chantix could certainly be contributing to your hypertension. Probably not in a big way, but at least a bit.

 

[hoosierdoc]

Lose weight by changing what you put in, not by how much you burn.

It's like our national budget in reverse. The problem isn't how little we're taking in, it's how much we're putting out. Weight loss is mainly achieved by limiting intake.

See your doctor. FP doctors get excited about high BP, it's what they do. In the ER I send home high BP all the time with no treatment because you need a FP or specialist to work with you to control it.

 

[Darral27]

He thinks part of me not being able to sleep is due to being self employed/stressed constantly...

I take the lorazepam and I just feel nice and mellow. The upside is that it doesn't totally incapacitate me so if something comes up I can still drive/do what I need.

I feel the stress thing. I started a new job back in August and was on call around the clock for the 4 months straight. Working a 12 hour day and pulling in your driveway just to get called back out before you make it in the door is enough to drive somebody crazy. I finally got a part timer so I got that part of the stress worked out. I have recently been working on the weight issue. I got started along with my prepping. I will be no good family in the shape I am in.
I did call and make a dr. appt today. Go in at 11am. Wish me luck.

Thanks for the good advise everybody. Being a stubborn old redneck I sometimes tend to put things off for far too long.

 

[Phil502]

You probably need some meds until you get your weight down.

 

[Darral27]

You probably need some meds until you get your weight down.

Are you trying to say I'm fat?

 

[forgop]

The first thing you have to do is ensure you're getting accurate results as many things can have an impact on blood pressure. In the ER, I refer to easy modifiable things that increase blood pressure are pain, stress, and smoking. Check it several times over the course of a month, varying time of day, etc. to get the best idea of where you really stand.

I recommend staying away from the meds because it seems to be the crutch for those who don't make lifestyle changes. You mention that you are 35 and 70# overweight. Odds are that is why your blood pressure is high, so start on a plan that helps reduce calorie intake, reduces salt, and increasing cardio. Weight Watchers would be a good option to look into.

Your blood pressure is high, but it's up to you to lose the weight to get it to a manageable level. There may very well be some family history of high blood pressure, obesity, you name it, but as Andy Dufresne said in Shawshank Redemption, get busy living or get busy dying.

It's all worth it because you wouldn't believe how many more people I see in the ER with 20-30 years on you who have coronary artery syndrome, diabetes, hypertension, etc, etc. and it's mostly an accumulation of poor diet habits and a sedentary lifestyle.

 

[forgop]

A one time elevated BP is not a big deal; if I met you on the ambulance I would not even address it. However, if your BP is staying at that level, many bad things can happen over time; kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, etc. Sometimes these things can happen quickly or take years to develop...but we can't go back in time. Get in to your doc ASAP and see what he/she has to say.

While the OP's blood pressure is high, it's easily modified with diet and exercise modifications and will come down pretty quickly. I remember seeing a guy less than 30 that was like 260-270/180-190. Now THAT is scary stuff.

 

[Darral27]

I did go to my Dr. today and they did prescribe meds for me. Also doing some blood work since I have a history of renal failure. Still plan on doing the diet and exercise like I had planned before this. Just want to get my heart rate under control before I do too much exercise. Decided I am going to start eating a muffin for breakfast and stick with a turkey sub for lunch. Going to continue going flavored water instead of cokes and sweet tea.

 

[forgop]

I did go to my Dr. today and they did prescribe meds for me. Also doing some blood work since I have a history of renal failure. Still plan on doing the diet and exercise like I had planned before this. Just want to get my heart rate under control before I do too much exercise. Decided I am going to start eating a muffin for breakfast and stick with a turkey sub for lunch. Going to continue going flavored water instead of cokes and sweet tea.

Of course they prescribed meds for you. They're doctors. You pay them and they write scripts. It doesn't mean it's better for you than diet/exercise.

Just what do you have in mind for daily calorie intake and exercise? You can get on a treadmill every day and pace yourself with a walk to get a 130-140 bpm for 60-90 min/day and not kill yourself in the process. I'd also stay away from muffins and turkey subs unless you skip on the cheese/mayo.

 

[LPMan59]

meds are appropriate and there are plenty of peer reviewed studies demonstrating the reductions in morbidity and mortality.

If he's overweight, he should work on that. But losing 70lbs takes time. HCTZ in the mean time isnt a bad idea.

 

[NavyVet]

Take it from someone who is recovering from congestive heart failure, Do Whatever is Necessary to keep the Bp regulated. Diet if possible, drugs if necessary.

Not being able to breathe because your lungs are filled with fluid and your heart can't deliver oxygen sucks!!!

Take care of it and keep an eye on it.

You have a smart wife!!!