I tried the 'ask the dr' thing but it
didn't work, so ...
I have mentioned some of this here before
... I was told about 6 months ago that
I had "elevated blood pressure" I am 32.
When I went in to see why my feet were
swelling ... At that time my bp was
145/102 ... They did an ekg, that came
back normal. Then she ran blood tests
and said it appeared that I had a salt
sensitivity. Dr said to try to take
in no more than 2500mg of sodium per day
and try to loose some weight and drink
more water.
Yes, both my parents have hypertension
(among other things) and I have gained
some weight over the last couple of years
(but I do not think I am obese) and I am
probably not as active as I use to be.
(i work from home now and that probably
doesn't help) but, I am working on all
that.
So as the dr suggested, I have been
cutting back on the sodium pretty good (i
never used table salt) my husband is even
doing it with me ... But I notice that
my feet and ankles still swell and it is
worse when I try to exercise and my feet
and shins hurt when I exersice too. I
asked my dr what to do and she said to try
swimming or yoga. So I have been
doing basic yoga for about a month now.
I do notice I am getting more flexible,
but how am I suppose to loose weight doing
this?
Well, a friend of mine said I should try
water pills. So I started taking some
otc ones. They seem to help with the
swelling a bit but my feet are still
swollen a little pretty much every day.
I have noticed my bp average has come
down a bit as well. These days it is
about 140/85 on average, some days it is
higher some days it is lower.
How often should I be checking my blood
pressure? Right now I do it about once
every couple of weeks. (since I don't
have full time access to anyone with a bp
reader)
i heard that it is bad to take watter
pills for an extended amount of time and
that you should drink twice as much water
when you take them. I also heard that
potassium can lower blood pressure, but
taking too much of that is bad too.
Anyone else heard anything about this?
Anyone know of other safe ways to lower
bp without meds?
I am suppose to go back to the dr in march
and I am scared she will want to put me on
meds then. I am wondering what
exactly the meds do to your body, how do
they slow your bp? Do they make you
tired? What are the side effects?
And do you have to take them your whole
life?
And how long can one go with this
'elevated blood pressure' before causing
heart damage?
Thank you for any advice.
~ flutter :)
|
jennys11
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 08 Feb 2006 Posts: 70 Location: miami
Posted: 02-14-06 18:33pm
We're the same age and I suffered a minor
stroke three months ago-a complete
nightmare and enough to change my diet. I
cut out all caffeine-i think that was one
of the reasons. Since I stopped it has
actually bought my blood pressure down and
heart rate. I loved soda and now don't
miss it at all!!
I suggest taking your blood pressure once
a day and writing it down and show your
doctor. Sometimes when we are nervous (in
a doctors office) our blood pressure
increases (mine always does) also drink
tons of water and not those pills-your
body wants the real thing. I know go
walking and jog lightly and my blood
pressure is great after. Yoga is great
for anxiety and breathing. You don't see
your doctor until march so start now
making changes-maybe you can bring it down
without help. If it gets too high please
go to the hospital-look up the signs too.
I had no idea what was happening to me.
Everything will work out for you-it did
for me
jenn
|
Flutter
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 32 Location: Lovejoy, Georgia - USA
Posted: 02-14-06 18:51pm
I have been told that high bp can lead to
stroke. I am glad to hear you got
through it ok :)
i am working on some lifestyle changes,
loosing weight and drinking more water and
such. And I am going to break down a buy
one of those blood pressure thingy's to
keep at home.
Thanks for sharing and good luck to both
of us :wink:
