Very high blood pressure- how do I get this down quickly please?

[DoubleShotEspresso]

Bit of a shock today at a routine appointment where blood pressure was taken.
Then taken again
And again.
I've now agreed to a service they kindly offered to wear a 24 hour monitor but this will be in a few weeks.
Please hit me with your best ideas to bring this down- wasn't expecting this at all.
Thank-you

Try beetroot juice, a glass per day. You can buy it in the supermarket, in the long-life juice area. Most brand blend the beetroot with apple juice, so it doesn't taste particularly beety.

It will make your wee pink though!

Go a bit lower carb. If you need a better reading then do it temporarily, but longer term is better.

Had a similar experience as @ColdWaterSwim Went for my annual health check with work at 45 years old, and BP was high-ish (170/100). Told me to get a monitor, which I did instantly from Boots (Omron) and took it lots more times that night, every time I took it, it was higher, finally went to A & E at midnight when it was 250/150, and sat for hours. I did not feel ill, but my BP did not go down. I have since had a load of tests, and they have concluded it is "unexplained" as sometimes it is really low, sometimes it is really high. I am on a lot of BP tablets now - Doxazosin, Losartan, Indapamide, Bisoporol. In the past I have also had amlodipine (makes you swell up) and Bendroflumethiazide. In all of my dealings with the medical profession on the subject, there are six things that seem to knack blood pressure. Weight, Salt, Caffeine, Alcohol, Smoking, Stress. The one that sends my BP off the scale is Caffeine, and it is probably the easiest to cut out instantly, along with salt. It is useful to get a monitor, but do be aware that sometimes it is very random, and you are looking for a downward trend. Hope this helps, it can be quite scary, but at least you know. XX

It is scary OP - it happened to me.

Was getting terrible headaches - especially in the morning/lying down, and had a funny feeling it was blood pressure related. I started to recall the past couple of times someone had tried to get a reading and failed. But both times the nurse assumed the machine wasn't working properly, and I was assumed to be ok and procedures went ahead (mad now I think about it) but that's a different thread...

So I got myself to the GP and low and behold 209/114 was the 'lowest' of the three readings. I was put straight onto Ramipril and Amlodipine which have helped quite a lot (I now get readings around 145/85) but things are even better when I avoid salt and processed food and do lots of walking.

I was not hugely overweight - 5.6 size 14. Non smoker and non drinker. I walk the dog every day and play tennis. Mine was almost completely down to stress and genetics.

Things you can do immediately:

Reduce Salt
Start a diet
Walk
Make time for anything that reduces your stress levels - yoga/reading/time out/ listening to music/stroking the dog

Walking, on a modest scale, made a difference for me. I got a high BP reading and was told they wanted to get me to use a monitor at home for a few weeks before deciding on treatment. I noticed that if I went out for a steady walk for 15-30 mins if I got a high reading, afterwards it was noticeably lower. You might as well try it - there's nothing to lose and I didn't have to walk for hours for it to help.

Was this at the surgery? I had a BP check at Boots yesterday. It was high ( but not as high as yours) and they booked me a 24 hour monitor there and then. I was actually able to go back and get it yesterday afternoon and return for the readiut today. It showed my BP is high but not dramatically so but they have sent a copy of the read out to my doc and I should go and see him in the next 2 weeks. I know I need to lose wight so this should encourage me to start.

Check if your Boots offers this service so you can get it done quicker.

I'm on meds to bring my BP down, I have a sphyg at home so I'm doing my own monitoring.

Your blood pressure changes a lot during the day which is why the 24 hour monitors are good but if you are actively trying to bring it down it would be more useful to take it at home then you can see the effect.

Yes, last time I had this done the nurse kept sticking the Velcro back. While telling me how serious high blood pressure is. It was a difficult combination

Not at a surgery no.

Vaccine clinic affiliated by our chemist.

In that case, book an appointment with your doctor.

I think they notified my doctors surgery with the fact I'm receiving the 24 hour monitor anyway?

My little one is off sick today so not had time to call surgery yet but will try in the morning hopefully.

I was loaned one for a week by my GP.
Took the readings in a few weeks ago (were fine in evening, but high in the morning). Had a text yesterday, asking for them. So they have lost them.
I can't do it again. I have White Coat Syndrome, and also what syndrome makes things worse when presented with any medical equipment even at home with me doing it. I also got really obsessive and ran the batteries down twice.

I am going to try and lose weight, move more, eat better, drink less. Beetroot is meant to be good for helping to lower BP (Michael Mosely tested it on one of his programs), as is Hibiscus tea.

Hi op
how are you getting on ?

I have high blood pressure , and was looking for a thread when I found this one . Lots of good ideas , that should have been obvious to me , salt , exercise , weight loss , but I somehow kept thinking oh will be ok .
timebto start putting it into practice,

I would be interested to see how everyone is getting on . I’m
on ramapril and andapamide but I am still approx 180/101

interesting to read about the thyroid link, I also take thyroxine . Does anyone have any more info about this

thanks

Mine was 178/101 when the nurse took it but when I do it myself I struggle to get it above 120/80, the surgery have refused to accept my readings & have noted on my records that I refused to accept treatment for it.

Mine was picked up as was having dizzy lightheaded spells multiple times a day plus horrendous back of the head headaches. Went to A&E as honestly thought I was having a stroke or TIAs. I also have far too high cholesterol (picked up on bloods) Now on beta blockers plus statins - headaches much better but my systolic still high, although diastolic well within normal. Normal readings for me now around 148/80. Struggling to get below that though. I suspect arteries are a bit buggered due to too many years smoking! I've always eaten well, don't salt food and drink within limits - but am also about 3 St overweight. I'm on a health kick now

exercise is a good way BUT if its still high you don't want to do anything too OTT so 30 min walk 5 days out of 7, fast enough to still talk or a reasonable 20 min on the recumbent cycle without getting too out of breath so steady pace but no red faces or heavy breathing. Brought mine down significantly in around a month

Is tea just as bad as coffee in this regard?

I have mild anxiety and get white coat syndrome. I bought my own monitor. It’s fine at home at different times of the day.

I have had this a few times - usually white coat syndrome - and wearing the 24 hour monitor has solved the issue. The general GP advice to get some exercise, cut coffee etc has other benefits as well. I definitely feel better in myself for following it. I restrict myself to one coffee a day but really enjoy that coffee. Making time to exercise - even if just getting out of the house for fresh air has definitely helped my mental being as well. Good luck and try not to worry.

I refused to let them take mine before a mirena fitting and showed them my home readings. No way would it have been normal when I was anticipating having a coil inserted!

Forgot to say I now also really make an effort to try to be calm when readings are taken. Listen to music in surgery to block out the drama of the reception desk and try to think of nice happy things when the reading is being taken.

If it helps, I always have sky high BP when I go to the GP. He sent me for a 24 hour BP test and my regular BP was well within normal.

If you're trying to lose weight, that's great (I am too!!) but I wouldn't overthink this result until you've got the results of your 24 hour test.

Why should we not mention beetroot? There’s heaps of evidence to say it’s great for lowering BP. The juice you can buy in supermarkets is stupidly expensive, so I bought a nutribullet and have a beetroot smoothie every morning, blended with apple juice and blueberries as not a huge beetroot fan! You can also get concentrated shots but again quite pricey. Athletes use them before races etc.

My GP however basically said the best way to get it under control was losing weight and exercising. Nothing else ie reducing salt / caffeine was as important as that.

@Borahnatty mine was even more blunt and best way for some is to stop smoking! Not relevant in some cases- but def is in many ( including me) - and as she says , many simply don't admit it at doctors. On average it can put 15 points on your readings instantly and 10 to 15 points on your readings on a consistent basis - weight was next and then a lack of exercise or poor diet

The evidence for beetroot lowering BP seems unconvincing, actually.
Like this RCT is only 23 individuals & some of the numbers are confusing ( can't tell if groups were same at baseline & the age numbers are odd, healthy indivs mixed with those with hypertension, recruitment strategy not well explained, etc).

An evidence synthesis was done to a poor standard, and can only come up with a "might work" conclusion. No adverse affects data collection.

I like beetroot btw, and believe in flavinoids as health promoting, but seeing no proof BR juice reduces BP.