Treating prehypertension - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

tamuprof45 · 10-02-2007, 09:03 AM

Folks,

I am at a real crossroads re my BP. 6 months of lifestyle have "stabilized" my BP at systolic 120s-130s, diastolic 70s. It is always 128/80-132/80 with the doctor.

So in theory I am prehypertensive. However, my 'cuff anxiety' is also at work here, both at home and the doctor's office.

OTOH I know that BP readings over 115/75 have been statistically shown to cause damage. But I was always told NOT to begin meds until BP readings are consistently hypertensive.

Also, I am concerned that my cuff anxiety will mask any progress once on meds, leading to a horrible scenario where one after another med is added on, when its really the anxiety causing the readings.

Does anyone else out there have doctors who insist on treating prehypertension with meds?

tamuprof45

Maui222 · 10-02-2007, 12:20 PM

I'm just starting at the 6 month point right now, but I'm sort of the opposite - I almost WISH they would treat my almost hypertension so I could quit worrying about it! They assured me that hypertension takes decades and decades to cause damage so I'm fine to try lifestyle changes for a few months, but it still makes me nervous! I did get the feeling though, that if it didn't drop they might medicate.

Out of curiosity, what lifestyle changes did you do? What was your blood pressure when you started and what is it down to now?

Linda

tamuprof45 · 10-02-2007, 01:31 PM

When I started, my BP was about 145/90 at the doctor's office. 6 months later with the doctor it is 128-132/80. BETTER, but he's not satisfied.

My home readings went all over the place; as low as 112 to 156 systolic, with the diastolic always below 80. BUT the numbers were always high at the doctor's office. My doctor numbers were always under 120/80 until last year.

What did I do?
1. I started exercising more, doing 30-60 minutes of cardio a day, and lost 21
lbs.
2. I went on the DASH diet and massively cut my sodium.
3. I cut back on my alcohol.
4. I started taking a long list of supplements to address artery health, and
blood pressure (there is mixed evidence for these sadly).

What didn't I do? Get rid of my cuff anxiety! Like you, I have NO idea what an accurate reading is. And at this point my doctor doesn't seem to take the anxiety thing all that seriously. You would think having a heart rate of 60 that goes up to 110 when my BP is taken would be pretty convincing evidence!

I don't know what is keeping my BP so labile, and why I can't get it consistently under 120/80. But that's life...high blood pressure happens, sadly. The biofeedback is my last try, and then meds.

BUT you owe it to yourself to try the lifestyle approach because for MOST people it works. It worked for me too, just not to my doctor's liking.

tamuprof45