Dh has blood pressure of 188/133 then 166/103 - how can I help him?

[ASecretLemonadeDrinker]

Dh joined the gym yesterday and his BP was 188/113 then 166/103 He rarely drinks (really rarely - only about 5 drinks since I have been pregnant, so 7 months - he drinks a little more in the summer, maybe 3 beers a week max?), we eat not great but never 'freezer food' (pizza/chips etc), 90% of the time it's from scratch - meat/fish, pasta/potatoes/rice and veg. He does grab snacks probably more than he should, usually something like a steak slice (fornightly?) and we do eat take aways about fornightly. He doesn't smoke. His dad died suddenly from a heart attack at 49 and both his dad and grandad were diabetic, DH has never had this checked (going to GP tomorrow) but he is very overweight so I know he must have it. He doesn't exercise , mainly due to long hours , and previously he didn't really need to due to a manual job. He will be exercising now 5 days a week to start for 45 -60 mins at the gym. My lifestyle is obviously pretty the same and my BP is around 100-110/60-70 so I always presumed he would be OK. How can we help lower his? I can guess the obvious stuff - no alchohol at all, no 'processed food' - pizza, chips, pies , ready made sandwiches, even ready made salads, exercise more but is there things I am missing? What about all these drinks/spreads you can get? Would helping him relax help? We are abit stressed but not majorly. If he goes on meds, are they for life? Or until it comes down? Please help me know what to do

There are many different causes of high blood pressure so its good your DH is going to the GP. Thats absolutely the right first step.

My DH had high blood pressure, it took a while to get the right meds (his case is a bit unusual). So long as he takes his pills he doesn't have high BP. One of the things important in his case which you've not mentioned is keeping sodium low. This may or may not be a factor for your DH, but most people eat more salt than they need so cutting it down shouldn't hurt. For us that means cooking from scratch most of the time, including bread which (contrary to everything you read) can be made salt-free - just takes a bit of getting used to. Lots of fresh veg and fruit. Salty foods like bacon and ham only in moderation.

AFAIK a small amount of alcohol shouldn't be too much of a problem.

You're right to be concerned, given the family history, but don't panic too much. My MIL is diabetic and had v high BP (its effectively treated) and she's 91.

he needs to see a doctor asap with treatment it will come down almost immediately.I had similar as a teenager and it was because my kidneys were not functioning.best to get it trated soon as it can damage other parts of the body and new drugs are brilliant and with far fewer side effects than years ago.good luck and hope he gets seen soon xx

Thanks - I think I will make bread from scratch as you say, it's amazing what contains salt that you don't think about. He was going to sign up to the RAF reserves this week, with possibly signing up full time when his trade opens in July and I think it's all going to go totally out the window I think even ever having been on BP meds excludes you. I think his main factors are lack of exercise and probably more salt than we realise. I am so upset for him, I just hope it comes down soon and won't affect him signing up

There is a possibility that with radical weight loss and lifestyle change he may not need medication.how much overweight is he?

for his height he is probably about 5/6 stone overweight, allowing for his 'build' - (he muscles up, not very slight build). He is just under 19st and about 5'9". He has been BIG all his life but never really unfit - he is much better than minimum RAF fitness levels for example, but obviously he is very very overweight. I recon he'd lose a good stone in the next 4 weeks (he has a personal trainer helping), if not two (and obviously tail off). Last summer we both lost a stone just by the general going out walking more.

It might be worth going on a real health drive and buying a BP machine and self monitoring too If he sees results in the figures and his waistline he will feel motivated.