HI Zuzu - back again.... - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

Mum2 · 05-18-2004, 08:22 AM

Hi Zuzu, thanks for still being out there to call on.
Situation now is....... at docs office 3 weeks ago bp was 170/90.........as per my previous post it was after a week of boozing.... the reading at docs the month before was 120/60

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Anyway am back to the docs at the end of the week and if it is not down she wants to put me on a beta blocker for 6 months to a year ......I have been monitoring at home and getting 120/75 avg... however think there's been a problem with my machine.. and having changed the batteries today my readings are up (am not anxious - honest) but do have headache - reading is 130/94......
So assuming that it is still up at the end of the week what do you think - should I still hang off the meds and consider it still post partum hpb (bubba is now 6 months) or should I bite the bullet and take the docs prescription ............ thanks for your input it is greatly appreciated as I don't have much of a clue in this situation.
As an overall it appears that my bp is not too bad, but I am having spikes that are pretty high.......
Mum xx

zuzu8 · 05-18-2004, 10:31 AM

Gee, at 30 years old, I still think that in your case, your BP is probably still a bit labile postpartum, and a diagnosis of true hypertension shouldn't be made unless your #s are up and mostly stay up for six months to a year.

Several times you've mentioned that you've had a merry old time with booze and late nights. If you are still "partaking", that certainly has an impact on BP.
How is your sodium intake?
Do you have an exercise routine?
These are truly important factors in reducing mild/moderate hypertension without meds.

I'd recommend that BEFORE your doctor puts you on anything, you wear a BP auto-monitor for 24 hours.

Once you get on the meds, even though your doc says "ohh, it'll just be a few months or so", it's pretty hard to get off that drug merry-go-round.

zuzu xxx

Mum2 · 05-20-2004, 09:29 AM

Hi Zuzu, thanks for getting back to me so quickly.
To answer your question, I exercise often and do at least 4 hours of yoga a week (have been doing this for several years). I am within my ideal weight range and would consider myself a healthy person, eat well and don't drink, well occassionaly .... and when I do drink it seems to shoot my bp up and it then stays up for 3-4 days after my indulgence .... is this the case with everybody amd i am just noticing it because I am monitoring?? it seems that my bp is extremely sensitive if it can be triggered so easily. what are your thoughts on the effects of alcohol and does this mean I should never drink, or just be aware of its effects on me? it appears that my bp spikes at the slightest thing..... sleepless night (2 small kids), a busy day (2 small kids).... life.
me xxx

zuzu8 · 05-22-2004, 03:34 PM

Mum-

You've used the expressions "after a week of boozing" and "indulgence", which sort of implies that it isn't just the occassional recreational drink or two but heavier than that. Given that you know what happens to your BP with alcohol, it might be a good idea to cut back.

Blood pressure is supposed to fluctuate. It's the body's natural response to stress. True hypertension exists when the blood pressure is elevated and stays elevated even when relaxed and at rest.

There's some controversy in the medical profession about how to treat early labile BP. Some docs want to treat it (the "why- take- a- chance" school of thinking) and others insist on close monitoring , especially in your case, for at least a year, particularly since you may still be experiencing post partum "hypertension".
You seem to be aware of your biggest trigger (alcohol), so you are in a position to try and lessen, if not eliminate it entirely to see what happens.

"Life" on the other hand, cannot be eliminated!

zuzu xxx

Mum2 · 05-22-2004, 07:52 PM

Thanks Zuzu - yes, now that I have established what triggers the rise in bp it would be foolish to ignore it.
I appreciate your advice over the past 6 months, good luck with your own bp and thanks again.
Take care
Mum xx