In Reply to: Stress and high blood pressure posted by Geneva on December 13, 2000 at 22:27:11:

: I am about 20 pounds overweight and a bit stressed out. Could this be the only reason that, during my annual physical today, my BP was 160/80? I am worried and so is my daughter. I am 62 and otherwise in good health. My doctor put me a medication called Mavik. Please let me know what to do!

160/80 is not that bad to my way of thinking. 160 is certainly above the desired - less than 140 but the 80 is OK. Chances are also that that reading is not really representative of your day to day BP - mine always goes up in the doctors surgery - may be something to do with the half hour wait! I now have my own BP monitor - its a good investment.

Certainly losing weight, getting fit (yes even at your age) and destressing will also help. 20 pounds is not terrible but could be better. With a bit of luck, losing a bit of weight, regular exercise, a good diet and once you're over your stress period, I would reckon you could ditch that medication. What are you stresse about? No point in being stressed about things you can't change - remember that! And if you can change them - do something.

: Thanks for any help!