General Chat

What BP reading do you have to get before they start treating it? Thanks

Jane

I saw a Gp today mine was 158/96 and has been high for about 3 years. They sent me for ECG and Blood tests. MY ECG was normal but I have high cholesterol.

The Dr said they wont start treatment until I change my life style. I am 9 1/2 stone 5 foot 3" I Linedance twice a week, I walk to work (at least 8-10 miles a week) I go to the gym 2 - 3 times a week. I cook my own meals. I dont eat a lot of fried food. I dont eat butter. I use semi skinned milk. Cheese is my downfall so I have cut down on that. I dont smoke or drink a lot of alchol so what more can I do?


Jane

Change your flipping doctor. and blooming quick, how high is your cholesterol reading

it was 7. I have started drinking those cholesterol reducing drinks and cut down on my cheese. I don't know what else I can do.

Jane

Change your GP?

That is definitely of a level where they should be treating it. I think they aim to have you below 140 as the upper (systolic) pressure.

You certainly seem to be doing everything you possibly can, your GP seems like an ass, so my first piece of advice stands LOL.

Porridge is meant to be good for reducing your cholesterol too, but as others on here have said that some times diet cannot reduce it because it can have a genetic base.

With a fasting cholestorel of 7 you should be on a statin I should think. That may well have a knock on effect and bring the blood pressure down too.

Thanks everyone for your advice. My next appointment is not until April but I will make sure I see a different Dr. As far as I am concerned it has been high for too long and I am doing everything I possibly can to help myself.

It doesnt help that I had a cardiac/respiratory arrest when I was a child. (due to an accident, too much anaesthetic). I would have thought they would have been a bit more careful because of this but there you go. Perhaps they are waiting for me to have another one!!

Jane

From http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blood-pressure-(high)/Pages/Introduction.aspx?url=Pages/what-is-it.aspx
&r=1&rtitle=Blood+pressure+(high)+-+Introduction

"High blood pressure (hypertension)

High blood pressure (hypertension) is usually defined as having a sustained blood pressure of 140/90mmHg or above."

They are putting you at risk by not treating you.

Don't wait until April. Find a new GP now. As you say, it's already been too long.

DON'T WAIT UNTIL APRIL.

Seriously 7 is not hugely high but your lifestyle, weight and diet seem healthy to me.

Ask to make an appointment with a different doctor.

get a second opinion now before its too late - you really sound as though you are doing everthing possible to help yourself. I'm not a big believer in drugs but sometimes they are necessary and I dont see how you can possibly change your lifestyle for the better.

I think i will ask to see another Doctor and see what they say.

Thanks

Jane

I've had high blood pressure for years, what I didnt know was that my doctor recieves a financial bonus if he can bring down and keep my blood pressure within acceptable levels. Nanny state indeed.

Lindsey

that is wrong. They should treat you because you need treating not because of financial gain.

Jane.

i have had blood pressure for years as has my sister and my mum&dad had it i was told 120 over 80
is a normal reading worrying about things make them worse in my opinion .i take a pill every morning and dont give it any thought

120 over 80 is avg but very few people can boast a 'perfect score' so to speak. Surprisingly, my BP is the only thing about me that's healthy LOL. Most people will vary from 110/70 up to 140/90 ish Age is a big factor in this fluctuation as is weight, diet etc.

Other than your cholesterol and high BP Jane, you seem to be healthy and doing everything right. They can't refuse to let you see another doctor in my experience.

I can only try. I'm not very optimistic though as I can't see one Dr contradicting another even if they believe they are wrong. I will give it a go and see what happens.

I don't want tablets unnecessarily but I do feel it is about time they started treating this now.

Jane

Do see a different doctor. I am on BP and cholesterol reducing drugs and I weigh quite a bit more than you for the same height. Can we ask what age group you are in (i.e. I am nearer 70 than 60 but have been on BP tablets for 8 years.
Could you perhaps change to skimmed milk? it is OK when you get used to it, and half fat cheese, edam is better than cheddar.
Benecol spread, yoghurts etc are supposed to be good but it sounds as if you need to be on statins. are you in England, wales or Scotland? They do vary.

ann
Glos

I/m 44yrs old and I live in England.

I am trying similar Chloesterol reducing drinks to see if they make a difference.

I am getting really fed up with this.

Jane

Did the doctor say what changes you should make to your life style?