Blood pressure- advice

[Orangesandlemons77]

My blood pressure is measuring around 135/90 to 128/95 today, would you tell the GP or just try and manage it yourself first?

I'm 46 and need to lose some weight. Been ill with shingles so more sedentary than usual too.

It used to be normal about my last reading (around a year ago)

Blood pressure fluctuates. You can get a better idea of your average by taking it at the same time every day for a week (not a medical professional though)

Thanks.

It's so difficult to get a GP appt, managed to get one for mid May so will see how it is going by then

Hopefully an HCP can comment on your thread.

I think it's only a bit high and I've always been told you have to get an average.

Take your blood pressure in the morning, wait 5 mins and take it again then repeat in the evening. Do this for 7 days and make a note of each reading then you can show the doctor at your appointment. They’ll probably ask you to this anyway so you can preempt that. Good luck!

Yes this ^.
We would treat anything regularly 140/90. Stricter targets for diabetics.
Wait until you are recovered from illness then record your BP (twice) thee times a day at different times for several days and make a face to face GP appt with the results.
If still elevated we would then do bloods to check cholesterol, full blood count, renal function, sugar etc and an ECG.
Weight loss will help massively. As will cutting down alcohol and of course no smoking.

They already did tests for diabetes and full blood count, normal but low ferritin so taking some iron tablets.

I drink a lot of coffee so will cut that down.

We are only allowed to make telephone appts with the GP

Our chemist will check blood pressure so maybe go to your chemist to get an accurate reading and their advice ?

Would the chemist prescribe?

A chemist wouldn't prescribe BP meds - they'd refer you to the GP.
The GP will likely request home readings (most accurate).
A phone appt will do. Do the readings first, those numbers don't require urgent action if otherwise well.

OK, many thanks

You won't get meds with those readings. Just eat more healthy and exercise.

You can get a 24 hour monitor as well, although it's a bit of a pain

It has to be over 140/90? Ok well will try and make some changes.

It oddly started off at that level, then further readings were lower. Seems to vary quite a lot.

See if doc will give you 24 hour monitor. That's the best way to see the pattern.

Anyway, I wouldn't see yours as high or off the scale, and meds won't be prescribed yet anyway until you make lifestyle changes first.

Blood pressure cuffs are a nightmare and inconsistent for some people.

Also the American Heart Association has reduced their guidelines for people with higher than 120/80 to need meds - gotta get the drug companies (that fund the AHA) an extra cash injection.

Cut down salt if you can and lose weight/exercise.

Fastest way to lose weight is stop eating carbs, no flour, no sugar, no rice, no fruit, no cereals.

OK this has been a bit of a wake up for me as it's always been normal in the past.

I am on some meds (pregabalin) which although don't seem to directly increase BP do cause cravings and weight gain.

I'm going to try from today to make some changes with low carb, intermittant fasting and more exercise to see in a few weeks if there are any changes.

127/89 today slightly better? Will keep recording. The first reading seems higher for some reason.

Now 120/85 seems to vary quite a bit. More like it used to be...

Something I wonder about is pain, would that make a difference? I have neuralgia from the shingles and today i have taken more pain meds so in less pain.

My heart rate is lower too, 60 rather than 70 plus...

Blood pressure varies all day long

I’m an HCP. Blood pressure will fluctuate throughout the day. The readings you’ve given are completely fine and what we’d call ‘normotensive’

Also normal adult heart rate is 60-90 so again your HR is normal