Is it possible to reduce blood pressure naturally

[dailychallenge]

I have been prescribed blood pressure tablets. My readings were consistently high which we think is after the use of naproxen.

I have stoped taking naproxen. Would rather rely on over the counter anti inflammatory tablets when I need them. Hopefully that will bring readings down.

Can I reduce my blood pressure naturally? Any tips? I feel awful on the BP tablets. My ankles twitch and I feel so bloated that I am going to pop out of my clothes. I barely drink so minimal alcohol. May be one or two gins at home a couple of times a month.

Most (if not all?) reduced salt soy sauce is still high in salt, just not as high as regular soy sauce. There are various brands of very low salt or no salt stock cubes you could use instead. Might be a worthwhile switch depending how often you use it. Oatcakes and bread/shop bought sandwiches are quite high in salt but it doesn't sound as if you eat them too often anyway, and the rest of your diet obviously sounds very good.

What's your blood pressure reading now, and do you know what it was before starting naproxen?

Swimming, or if there's an aquafit class, they are low impact options.

Meant to add, if you go swimming and have bad knees, you should avoid breast stroke, all that bending the knees out to the side is not good if there are already problems. Front crawl or back crawl.

Exercise, diet and reducing stress can all help but sometimes even if you live like a saint you need meds.

I was diagnosed with BP years ago. I got off the medication and reduced my BP to 120 78 by Hawthorn Berry herbal, exercise and lots of water. Beetroot is also good. You can get herbals in Amazon and I looked at all the comments carefully to get the ones to use. It was a gradual reduction. The doctor was very pleased

Beetroot capsules and Hawthorn Berry capsules, have a good look at Amazon

My GP says if you live long enough most of us will end up on BP medication because the blood vessels become less elastic with age.

DF was too proud to take the medication and said he would sort it himself, but died too young of a heart attack - I would rather he had just taken a little tablet every day tbh…..

Of course there are things you can do to reduce BP naturally but the medication is well tolerated and can be very helpful so it’s not the end of the world.

ETA different tablets can make a big difference - I would see GP to discuss an alternative.

i’m sorry @Comtesse

Have a listen to this. Dr Sanjay Gupta is a leading cardiologist and has lots of really useful information and advice. I think it's also available on YouTube and is part of the Zoe series

open.spotify.com/episode/6ZBngoNxcviJnZqLWdnsRf?si=SJg5EwyJRa6k10Y4VYf70w

Someone casually put at the end of their post ps not a health professional and it honestly just made me think. I’d guess most people are not health professionals on this thread, people are just saying what they’ve heard or going on their own experience. A gp won’t put you on medication like that for nothing, talk to them.

I don’t know why so many people are against blood pressure medication. Surely it’s better than a heart attack. Many people have high bp as they age.

At the moment there is a shortage of ramipril and there are side effects. And the you've the hassle of getting prescriptions, queuing in pharmacies who say you've already had it for that month etc. My mum could tell you some stories pf pharmacy incompetence.

Cutting out coffee lowered mine.