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30s/40s, high blood pressure? Help I’m panicking

22 replies

MoonBaby1 · 25/01/2021 18:11

I’ve been diagnosed with high bp. I’m now terrified. I’m 36.

Anyone else?

OP posts:
FelicityWhiskers · 25/01/2021 18:37

What is your BP reading? Has it been taken over a period of time and in different situations? Have you been loaned a machine to use at home?

MoonBaby1 · 25/01/2021 18:45

it was originally 153/79 which made me get it checked. Then on the wear at home one it’s been anywhere between 200/97 160/78 Shock

I am so worried.

OP posts:
sleepyhead · 25/01/2021 18:50

Don't panic. It can be treated with lifestyle changes such as weight loss & exercise, and/or medication if required.

I was given blood tests & a ecg (all normal). Then lost 2 stone and its now normal.

Friend had very, very high bp which needed medication and is now under control.

Mine was an incidental finding after a visit to GP for something else. Friend had a mild stroke - both of us in our 40s and well now.

Dont ignore, but dont worry too much either.

tootiredtospeak · 25/01/2021 18:51

I am 44 and have been on medication since last year. Went for a pill check and it was sooo high. Did at home for 2 weeks end of March so most stressful part of last year. Readings were between 92 and 97 over 179 to 210 at its worst. It's right down now and I have lost a stone been eating better and more exercise. Nothing to panic about just let it be a wake up call and consult your GP to see if you need medication.

fairgame84 · 25/01/2021 18:58

I'm 36 and mines also high. I've been on medication for 2 years and it's a little better. I don't worry about it because there's nothing I can do. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I'm not overweight.
Why are you panicking?

MoonBaby1 · 25/01/2021 18:59

I am overweight (BMI 27-28), I have been stationary last year, drank like a fish. So far this year I’m dry, starting a diet today and getting moving.

Thank you so so much for your reassurance. You don’t know how much it means to me Flowers

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MoonBaby1 · 25/01/2021 19:00

faorgame my worry is dying wary and leaving my children

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MoonBaby1 · 25/01/2021 19:43

Sorry about all the typos.

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FelicityWhiskers · 25/01/2021 20:22

You sound like you're suffering with anxiety. Your BP isn't panic worthy in the way you're talking about

MoonBaby1 · 25/01/2021 20:40

That’s good to hear. I’m three days into starting citalopram for anxiety and I know it can get worse before it gets better.

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Borington · 25/01/2021 20:57

I was very anxious about my raised BP too, until I realised a) better to know about it now as it can cause issues if untreated and b) it’s treatable which is great news.

I’m 43 now abs have been taking tablets every day for about 2 years. The first one gave me a cough (common side effect) but the next one no side effects at all.

I can’t remember how high mine was but now on 2mg candesartan and it’s either normal or slightly raised (but always below 90/130).

If my BP goes down and stays down I could come off it but so far it hasn’t gone fully back to ‘normal’ and stayed there.

My bmi is about 23/24 and I drink but don’t smoke. I’ve tried to reduce salt as much as I can.

FelicityWhiskers · 25/01/2021 23:09

The issue here definitely isn't your blood pressure - it's the anxiety talking. You are categorically not going to keel over with your BP any time soon that's for sure so probably no need to plan the funeral service just yet!

Take those tablets religiously and wait for them to kick in so they'll take the edge off your anxiety.

MoonBaby1 · 26/01/2021 09:59

felicity hat was the perfect message to wake up to. Thank you. I’m still struggling to keep calm during a reading but my last one was 159/76 which is better than yesterday!

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Fluffycloudland77 · 26/01/2021 10:04

Put the monitor away, change your lifestyle for a month then retest.

If you find the lifestyle change hard speak to your dr, see what support they offer.

MoonBaby1 · 26/01/2021 11:26

Good plan Smile. Doing dry January has already reset my alcohol intake and I’m finally serious about losing a couple of stone.
Dealing with my anxiety by taking meds rather the drink and avoidance!

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FelicityWhiskers · 26/01/2021 12:41

Health anxiety is the pits isn't it? You can do this though OP! The kids are stuck with you for a while yet Grin

Hotpinkangel19 · 30/01/2021 14:57

I'm the same OP but a year older than you. My BP readings are similar to yours but I'm not being actively treated for high BP, I'm classed as borderline.

middleager · 30/01/2021 15:23

OP, I'm 47 and my BP reading was not too dissimilar 146/90. When I gave my GP the reading he was quite dismissive and said "that's not high" so wondering now if I should be worried (esp as I have a good 10 years on you?)

PippaParsnip · 30/01/2021 15:38

@middleager no, you shouldn't be worried. If your doctor isn't, you shouldn't be off the back of a thread from someone who has health anxiety Smile

lazylinguist · 30/01/2021 15:39

OP, a huge number of people have diagnosed high bp. Many more will have it without knowing. You are fortunate because you know about it. Lifestyle changes (relating to food, alcohol and exercise) will bring it down. If it still remains high, you can take medication.

I was diagnosed with very high bp in my second pregnancy. The diagnosis, combined with hormones and the fact that my ds had to have surgery a few days after birth, kicked off a long period of postnatal/health anxiety. I was convinced I was about to drop dead of a stroke or a heart attack at any moment. And I began to be scared of being anxious in case that made my bp worse!

Looking back, the fear was my anxiety talking. In reality I was well medicated and started doing all the right lifestyle stuff immediately. My bp gradualy came down to borderline/ok levels, but I have stayed on low dose medication as a safety net.

Don't let this prey on your mind. Use it as an opportunity to get healthy. The exercise will help with your anxiety too.

I'd also recommend a book called The Compassionate Mind by Paul Gilbert, which helped me understand and massively reduce my anxiety. Flowers

mushroom3 · 30/01/2021 15:40

My DH was picked up having high blood pressure in his early 30s and now has had 30 years on the same medication. With the medication his blood pressure has remained normal. His dad died of a heart attack at 46 and so it's probably genetic. Maybe see it as a good thing that it's been picked up and treated as a preventative measure to health issues related to high BP in the future. I went through a phase of high BP, in my case it was the pill. When I came off it, it went back to normal. I have had friends who have had pill related BP issues and had the option of pill plus BP medication or alternative contraception.

MoonBaby1 · 30/01/2021 17:39

I’m reading all these comments daily to bring me off the ceiling so thank you for more positive ones Smile.

I’ve made such big lifestyle changes recently so hopefully will get to a healthy BMI and see results.

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