to want the Dr's to suggest a helpful way to reduce my blood pressure

[ShouldIworryornothelp]

Its consistently been 145/95 the last few times I've been to the Dr's. I have a lot of health issues and am already at high risk of stroke so can do without high BP to add to the mix

My Dr keeps saying 'its probably high because you're in pain' and 'its probably high because you're worried about your appointment' now I'm always in pain and never worried about my appointments and I honestly think some helpful suggestions to reduce my BP would be better than telling me 101 reasons why it could be high

Aibu?

My GP recommended the DASH diet - Google it (I'm on my phone and can't do links) which I have found helps ( but I do take 3 tablets daily too) I was hospitalised when I was first diagnosed as it was so high they thought I was going to have a stroke yet I felt perfectly fine - I can tell you that lying in a hospital bed on a drip waiting for that to potentially happen is the most stressful thing that I have ever encountered so once my BP came down to "high" 160/100 I would have done or taken anything to get myself to safe levels. It's now 123/81 which is ok. I also do a 2 mile walk 3 times a week.

I've been on blood pressure meds for 10 years, having resisted for at least five years prior to that. For me, raised BP runs in the family and I guess I knew it was inevitable.

If watching your diet, exercise and sleeping well haven't worked, or worked enough, I really would accept medication. I'm on two different drugs "for life" and found that psychologically hard at 35, but I have no regrets. It was definitely the right thing to do. It works!

Diet and lifestyle changes are better than meds if they work because meds can have unpleasant side effects. My uncle who used the resparate machine felt awful on them. Also if you eat healthier etc this will improve your overall health so it is a good idea to try it. But if none of these work it is important to take the meds.

your blood pressure is around the same as mine is and i take 2 daily bp tablets. My bp was horrific and i inherited the tendency from my father's family. I take 2 different bp tablets each day and other medication as well. If you are already at risk of a stroke, then why are you resisting the tablets that will reduce that risk? If you aren't willing to take the good advice the doctor is offering you, then don't moan about it.

Beetroot juice

I think you need to try and get down to 1000 calories to lose the weight. It sounds like you have an inactive lifestyle so your body just doesn't need these extra calories. 2000 is far more than the average woman actually needs, I'm 5ft and if I don't exercise then have to stay around 1100-1300 calories a day to not gain weight and that's with an hours dog walking a day.

The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is a healthy way of eating recommended by US goverment health authorities, and others. Lots of fruits and veg, low salt (sodium). Here is the original version:
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/dash_brief.pdf

neatly summarised at : www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/dash-diet/art-20048456

Here is updated version, with books to buy/borrow if you prefer:
dashdiet.org/what_is_the_dash_diet.asp