How to help lower blood pressure?

[blahblahblah1654]

I'm recovering from very early and severe preeclampsia. I lost the baby 4 weeks ago and my blood pressure was frighteningly high. A lot of this is genetic and out of my control. I also had it in another pregnancy. Still on blood pressure tablets but a much lower dose now and will hopefully be weaned off further eventually. Any tips to try and lower my blood pressure naturally too? Before I got pregnant this time it was borderline normal/high too.

Should add I'm only 38.

I had horrific pre eclampsia and was under nephrology for a year or 2 before things settled down, I'm still on Amlopodine for hpb, I had bloods etc done yesterday and my blood pressure was high, I don't know how to lower it per se but keeping calm and trying to prevent too much stress (easily said than done I know) but make sure you take your meds and don't be afraid to see the doctor if you're concerned.

Cutting out salt, red meat may help. Eating grapes is said to lower blood pressure, but I’ve not seen any reduction in mine. The British Heart Foundation has tips on their website.

I’m sorry for your loss
My brothers and I had to have ours tested recently, mine was lower than it’s ever been and much lower than my younger, very fit brothers. When I crowed at the doctor he said don’t be mean to them it’s mainly genetic.
However I eat mainly plant based, so olive oil not butter and drink lots of water and also beetroot juice. I also don’t salt my food much, guests all catch each others eyes and reach for the cellar. Beetroot juice is meant to be good for high blood pressure

I think it's mainly genetic because my 4 sisters and I all have it. 2 of my sister's are a size 8 and 1 a size 10. Low or no salt, reduce red meat and make time for downtime and rest. Hard I know with small children.

So sorry you lost your baby, OP. 🌺

Exercise
Meditate/Tai Chi
Breathing
Beetroot
Omega 3

Thanks for the tips everyone! I will try these things. I don't drink alcohol or eat particularly unhealthy and have stopped adding salt to food. I think it's pregnancy that has kicked this off. It started at 35 when I had preeclampsia with my son. BMI was 23 and no other risk factors apart from my mum having preeclampsia and high bp on her side. My BMI is 26 at the moment so I'm slightly overweight but nothing terrible. Will keep working on it though! Lifestyle improvements won't hurt anyway.

Did they find any underlying causes for your high blood pressure? I'm due to see a specialist in September to make sure there are no underlying conditions once the pregnancy hormones have died down. She works in renal but deals with all things blood pressure related. I've had numerous scans and organ function blood tests while I was in hospital and all seems fine at the moment, but they will delve further.

@threecupsofteaminimum have you had to increase your medication if your blood pressure is high?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldwell_Esselstyn

I have a friend who has followed his idea of no oil, nuts, dairy or meat and they lowered their blood pressure and cholesterol dramatically. They gave also shed a fair bit of weight but that wasn't the objective - it was to lower blood pressure, cholesterol.

I remember your other thread from when you were in hospital,I was wondering how you were getting on.

Mine took a good 10 weeks to lower post partum so I would say it's early days yet. x

This looks interesting! I'd really struggle with no dairy tbh. He must be doing something right if he's still going at 89 though.

Getting there thanks! Massively reduced my medication and feeling stronger. I think it's been 4 weeks so early days still I guess. Glad yours settled in the end x

It did settle down but then shot up dramatically in my 50's and am now on meds but managed to reduce them with weight loss. The GP said it was very common to have issues after PE so keep a close eye on yours. Sounds like they are looking after you.

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor yes I'm fully expecting to have higher blood pressure as the years go on. I do keep an eye on it for sure. I've been well looked after and monitored by doctors at least. Did you have preeclampsia in any other pregnancies?

I was so ill I stopped at one x

Yes I was diagnosed with Lupus then APS www.nhs.uk/conditions/antiphospholipid-syndrome/symptoms/

I'd rather not go into too much detail publicly but feel free to dm me.

Hi op.

it’s :

lots of water,
reduce caffeine
reduce alcohol intake
reduce salt
take daily exercise

I'm due to have various tests in September, including lupus and Aps. My blood was very "sticky" during pregnancy anyway.

Yes I think it's genetic here too. First had issues at 35 years old with bmi of 23. I'm about 26 bmi at the moment so not massively overweight. Uncle had a stroke in his 50's (he's ok now) but he's a heavy drinker and smoker. My grandad died of a heart attack at 66, non drinker, fit and slim. My mum had preeclampsia with me but seems ok now at 59. All on the same side.

Yes as much as I yearn for another child it may be too dangerous to try again.

also had severe PE twice. Now diagnosed with mild lupus and APS. Was told not to get pregnant again.
now 10yrs on have high BP, which came down lots with quick weight loss but still on one tablet for it. I avoid dairy and eat a low carb diet. It definitely works best for me as my main issues are around inflammation. I feel so much better when I stick to it.
a consultant I saw at London lupus clinic was hugely reassuring (sort of)! In that if I didn’t clot or stroke with how sick I was during pregnancy he felt I’d do just fine! I’d never thought about it like that, and I don’t know if it’s in any way true, but he was very reassuring!

@Greenpeasnwham glad you are doing ok now and you seem to know how to manage it. Yes weirdly enough I thought being so unwell and not clotting or having a stroke meant in normal circumstances whatever illness I do have can be well controlled outside of pregnancy!