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Original poster

DH High Blood Pressure

13 replies

WorriedWanda · 28/03/2018 11:57

DH has been diagnosed with very high blood pressure. Seems it's been very high for decades. He's getting a ECG and blood tests to see whether there's kidney damage (highly likely). His retinas are damaged and he has early cataracts too. Needless to say the salt has gone out of the window and he's not getting more than a glass of wine a day from here on. But what can I expect? He's 52, a little overweight but not in any major way. Does anyone have any info that can help me help him? He has his head firmly in the sand.

OP posts:
NK346f2849X127d8bca260 · 28/03/2018 12:19

Has he started BP medication?
I don’t think the cataracts are caused by high BP, is he being referred to ophthalmologist at the hospital?
Does he do any exercise? My BP has dropped since doing 4 x 20 minute sessions on exercise bike a week.

Original poster
WorriedWanda · 28/03/2018 12:46

Hi NK3. Not started meds yet, waiting for test results, but home monitoring BP. Has another eye appt next week to measure extent of retina damage. He has historically been pretty fit but not done so much recently with work pressures mounting, but we have that in our sights. I'm determined to go on the journey with him rather than him doing it alone, and I've been pretty fit in the past too so it will be good for me to get back to it. But I guess what I'm not clear on is whether getting the BP down will putt hings right. I'm unsure what's ahead of us!

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SandyShoesMissingShoes · 28/03/2018 12:57

I think the damage if any to his kidneys may be permanent. Sorry. My dad who is very elderly has kidney disease (CKD) and had high BP from being 80-ish.

Have you seen all the info online? There is a website just on blood pressure .

His diet is important- lots more fibre from fruit and veg- and the daily glass of wine sounds a bit much tbh- maybe 2 glasses over a weekend.

Exercise- 30 mins a day 5 x a week , getting out of breath is the recommendation. You could do this together perhaps?

Obviously check with the drs first.

Wouldntsaybootoagoose · 28/03/2018 13:02

If it was ‘very’ high he would have been started on BP medication from the get go, rather than being referred for a 24hour BP. How high was it?

Original poster
WorriedWanda · 28/03/2018 13:39

Thank you SandyShoesMissingShoes, going to look at that link now!

Wouldn'tsayboo, I gather it was 180+ over 120+ but I don't know exactly. He hasn't been referred for a 24 hour, he was told to buy a BP monitor and monitor himself, and has appointments for tests after Easter

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Wouldntsaybootoagoose · 28/03/2018 14:24

That is rather high - I would have expected him to be started on medication straight away.
In answer to your question about what lies ahead of you - probably not a lot. His risk of heart attacks / strokes is raised, but we’re talking over many years.
He should do all he can to amend the other risk factors. So exercise more, drink less, stop smoking, and reduce cholesterol / sugar if he is diabetic/pre diabetic and it could be reversed (These are all easier said than done though, especially for someone is burying their head on the sand)

Original poster
WorriedWanda · 28/03/2018 15:02

Thank you Wouldntsayboo. He stopped smoking cigarettes a while ago but does smoke those vape things. Is it nicotine or tobacco that's the issue?

I think he just really wants to hang it on one thing - like if I cut out X then I can indulge in all the other things because I've done my bit. Like "oh you only have to cut down on salt if you are eating like two tablespoons a day" - ie that bit doesn't apply to me.

This is not going to be easy!

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EmilyAlice · 28/03/2018 15:13

I think he just needs to get on the medication. My OH was diagnosed at BP 230/110 aged 50. Healthy lifestyle, very fit but a stressful job with lots of travelling. His father had BP and the doctor said it was most likely mostly hereditary. It took about a year to get the medication right and it has been tweaked a few times since then, but he has now been on it for over twenty years. He is still a very fit 70 something, enjoys a glass or two of wine, eats a healthy diet and keeps his weight down. His BP is consistent at about 120/75 and he sees the doctor every six months. I remember worrying dreadfully at first and a friend saying just start the mediation and it will be fine. And it was.

EmilyAlice · 28/03/2018 15:14

Medication not mediation 😀

Walkingthroughawall · 28/03/2018 15:58

Wouldn't normally start medication on the basis of 1 recording so don't worry too much about that. NICE guidelines IIRC are either home monitoring or 24-hr monitor - both acceptable & will establish the diagnosis. Sounds like his GP's doing all the tests that need doing & you've already thought of all of the lifestyle stuff (if he's really not exercising at the mo then build up gradually). Men are notoriously bad at pretending the stuff that doesn't make them feel unwell isn't important. A little emotional blackmail if his head is truly in the sand often helps! (COI - not a GP)

SluttyButty · 28/03/2018 16:10

Mine was found to have massively high bp. He had to do a week of home readings and then started on meds.
He's had to massively cut down on alcohol, improve his diet and start exercising again (he was previously very fit).
He was also found to have AF so a radical life clean up was in order. But it took him a while to actually admit to himself that it was all necessary with the odd nag from me

Original poster
WorriedWanda · 28/03/2018 17:26

Thanks all. Really good to have someone to talk to!

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