A
female
age
51-59,
anonymous
writes:Really gutted because i stopped smoking 6 weeks ago, cut down the booze a bit, got a dog a couple of months ago so get a bit more exercise, and came out a stressful relationship about a month ago. yet i went for a new patient health check at the new surgery yesterday, and it seems ive got high blood pressure! 140 over 95?I'm 37, female and about half a stone overweight. Apparently my BMI(body mass index) is 27, ideal is 25?I didn't have a clue about blood pressure before, and its been yrs since i had mine checked.What can someone do to get theirs down? Any ideas please.
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reader, anonymous, writes (21 June 2008): Well done; then I suggest:Take note of your stress, maybe at work or at home; that can have a big influence;
Also any unresolved emotional issues;
Take care, SMILE!
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reader, anonymous, writes (21 June 2008): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThanks everyone, great info. I get loads of sleep so i know it wont be that. I only use low salt (the heart healthy stuff) which ive had in the cupboard about 2 yrs cuz thats how little i have it, about once every couple of months if i ever have chippy chips. I tend not to add salt to food.
I will cut out the crisps and try to watch the fats. Geez we need to be experts on this healthy living thing once we get past mid thirties dont we??? hehe
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reader, anonymous, writes (21 June 2008): I can symphatize with you. I have fought with my weight for years. My BMI is normally 25 to 27 and it does affect my blood pressure. Actually, 25 is not ideal. It is the upper range of the ideal range of 19 to 25. This is not an absolute, as people with a lot of muscle mass can be over the ideal range and be fine.
The things that affect BP the most are stress, weight, lack of exercise and the foods you eat. Stress is th big one. When I retired mine dropped about 10 points, both systolic and diastolic, but now it is rising again. Losing weight will help most people a lot, as will getting an hour of exercise a day. This can be as simple as walking, although aerobic exercise will be better. Eating less animal fat and more vegetables will also help cardio-vascular health and can lower blood pressure. I take medication for my blood pressure, but when my BMI went down to 23 many years ago, I didn't have to take medication. Unfortunately, the lowest I have been recently is just over 24 and it did help some.
Smoking and alcohol are also a problem, expecially smoking. It causes constriction of the blood vessels and will raise BP. A small amount of alcohol can even help a bit, like 5 oz of wine with dinner, but too much is bad. You gave up smoking 6 weeks ago. I don't know how long it takes for the effects to stop or if they ever do completely. I never investigated that fully, as I never smoked. I'm guessing that 6 weeks is not enough time to see an effect. Do a Google search on "smoking blood pressure" and you should find the info that you are looking for related to smoking.
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female
reader, spanglegirl +, writes (21 June 2008):
 Hi, well your doing all the right things but if you haven't already you should also try to cut down on your salt intake as this can have an affect on your blood pressure.
Also blood pressure can be caused by a variety of things such as emotional stress and even if the weather is warm when you have it taken. Also do you know whether anybody in your family suffers from high blood pressure as it can run in families.
This is the case with me,i'm only 24 but i am prone to high blood pressure at times. When i had it taken for the first time the doctor aked if i had family with the same problem as apparantly quite unusual at my age as i'm not overweight or eat particulary bad.
Turns out my grandmother and my aunt had it from an early age aswell, therefore i have to go down for regular checks so they can keep an eye on it. So might be an idea to see if there are any family members who have had the same problem.
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male
reader, Collaroy  +, writes (21 June 2008):
 Hi there,
its still early days mate. Just hang in there and look at your diet as well. Try and cut out fatty foods and eat as much fruit and veggies as you can. I had high blood pressure for a while and it dropped significantly when I changed my diet.
Your weight is excellent and the exercise is good. Dont give up I'm sure you will start feeling the benefits soon.
But get a regular check up to keep an eye on that blood pressure.
good luck.
p.s and get out there on the dating scene mate, sex is another great thing for your health :)
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female
reader, supermum +, writes (21 June 2008):
 it doesnt sound too bad to me... you should be fine.
if you were nervous about the appt, then that could be why. dont stress over it and you will be fine, bp can change throughout the month so just chill and relax! all the best
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reader, anonymous, writes (21 June 2008): Okay, the good news is you are young; have quit smoking and have cut down on the booze; your blood pressure is high, but it is not at "panic" stage.
Do take your medication as prescribed; do get exercise;
it is also very good to cut down on your SALT intake; as salt does have an influence on high blood pressure;
I have also discovered over the years that it is not always related to just physical problems; it is often due to stress or unresolved and bottled up emotional issues.
SHould you be under a lot off pressure or stress, do something about that;
if you have bottled up emotions; pay attention, get rid of it, get it out; it does make a difference; the same with unresolved emotional issues;
The blood pressure is sometimes the way the body is telling us to pay attention.
Best wishes.
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