Today, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure.

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  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    I am very sad. I just left my doctor's office, and I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. I am trying to not feel completely hopeless, but the thought of being on medication for the rest of my life is depressing. I've been trying to change my diet and exercise, and I'm afraid that just wont be enough.

    Has anyone here had any positive experiences with getting OFF of BP meds? Does anyone have any advice on how to manage BP with a healthy diet and exercise?

    :(

    Feel free to send me a friend request. On my profile, I explained how I got off the maximum dose of TWO B,P. meds. You likely can do it too. But it will mean that you are very strict with your diet and exercise at first. My B.P. runs about 115/75 most of the time now. :smile:
  • stephanieluvspb
    stephanieluvspb Posts: 997 Member
    Last year I got a terrible headache, sharp pain that even OTC pain meds didn't help. Before calling my dr I had my coworker check my bp and it was 210/98. Dr put me on benicar. I understand your anxiety, I can't imagine anyone who wants to take meds and I was only 32!! So I quit smoking cold turkey, started exercising 4 days a week and eating better. I lose about .5 pound a week and in 12 weeks I dc my bp pills and I've been ok since. Of course some people will be on bp meds forever usually just due to genetics. I had a 26 year old patient that had a heart attack!!! Sometimes there is no controlling what happens. Good luck to you!!
  • Stella_Mayfair
    Stella_Mayfair Posts: 226 Member
    My dr said I had High blood pressure. But since "I'm young and not fat." her words, she said she'd give me the summer to lower it before meds. I DID!!! I cut out all soda, unless diet. Quick smoking, starting swimming, and downing loads of water and less sodium and pow!!! I am good. Also try getting in u time to destress. Stress adds a lot to BP.Hope it works out
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    I got diagnosed in Nov, I decided to make a change and I went to the dr last month and he said "you have cured yourself" ... no more meds for me!!! if you chage the way you eat and exercise more you can get off these meds. I am living proof. Good luck OP

    It is good to be optimistic and it is good to do everything you possibly can from a dietary and exercise standpoint, to include losing weight to treat hypertension...as the benefits go far beyond that singular goal...but it is also important to realize that for a great many, their hypertension has nothing to do with their diets or exercise, it is simply a hereditary thing.

    The OP will not know until the work is done...but even if it doesn't cure him of this particular issue, there will be numerous additional benefits.

    I'm living proof that it's not always about diet and exercise...I eat extremely healthfully and exercise regularly...I generally log anywhere between 60 - 90 miles per week on my bike and lift weights and walk/hike a lot. My diet rocks and consists largely of 6-8 servings of veggies per day and 2-3 servings of fruit along with plenty of lean proteins and healthy fats and a smattering of whole grains...very little in the way of processed food or junk food.

    I'm not trying to be a downer here...like I said, optimism is a good thing...I just want the OP to realize that sometimes it's out of our control...but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be living healthfully anyway...numerous benefits of living healthfully.

    Yes, there certainly ARE people who are scrupulous in their diet and exercise and still their b.p. will not come down--for them, medication is a lifesaver. But, I expect that, for the vast majority of hypertensives, diet and exercise is the key to normalizing their b.p. I know many people who were put on medication and now are able to be off of it because of their diet and exercise programs.

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