High Blood Pressure - Can it go down ?

[Twink]

You guys have never failed me yet: Dh has had high blood pressure for ages but we've kind of ignored it (eg optician commented when he had his eyes tested) it's been sort of 'out of sight out of mind' I suppose.

Things have now caught up and he's on the edge of being diagnosed with it but our gp is loathed to say you have high blood pressure & need treatment as he says once that happens there is no 'going back'

Dh is not overweight, swims 5km each week, doesn't smoke (quit 1990), hates salt in food, we don't eat 'processed' food/ready meals, he eats at least 5 fruit/veg portions per day but does drink more lager & wine than government guidelines suggest he should. His resting pulse is around 63 bpm.

Opinions & ideas please !

[rosies]

Here is some useful information, i hope!

is he under stress with his work? prolonged stress can be a factor. i have a couple of reflexology clients with high BP that seems to respond well to treatments. maybe he could try that and see if it benefits him before trying the meds?

regards

rosie

[aloha]

I agree that dealing with stress can help. I have known people whose blood pressure dropped dramatically when they made a real effort to relax - massages, rest, treatments etc.

[bettys]

High blood pressure can also be hereditary. The GP may initially prescribe diuretics to reduce the pressure on the heart & this can have a very beneficial result (I'm on them for high blood pressure & coincidentally it seems to have lessened the headaches I'm prone to)
Green tea is also very good.

[MummyToSteven]

DH should also be careful about OTC medicines - decongestants like sudafed can raise bp

[efmach]

Twink, the fact that your dh seems so 'healthy' is definitely a reason to investigate why he has blood pressure problems.
The usual advice is loose weight, cut out smoking, exercise regularly, cut out salt in food, etc but he seem to fulfil all these requirements and he still has a problem. As you are probably aware, blood pressure problems can have serious consequences and can also damage major organs, in the long term, if not treated. Just for peace of mind he should get it checked out properly. Good luck