Success in lowering blood pressure - tell me how

Hi, having lost half the weight I hope to, my blood pressure has gone up to marginally over the level at which dr's in the UK are keen to start you on medication. I'm keen to avoid this so have ramped up my efforts on weight loss and increased exercise.

Anyone got success stories to share on reducing bp? Or ideas on how much weight loss/ exercise increase will make a difference?

Would also welcome any plausible excuses to give the dr on why to delay medication start.

Thanks for your interest.

Sheron

I would check to make sure you are truly eating enough calories and not OVERTRAINING in regard to exercise. The body is designed to show some early signs of overtraining that include fatigue, irritability, decreased focus, and increases in resting heart rate and blood pressure. If everything lines up with nutrition and expenditures then generally the heart rate and blood pressure numbers decrease, however, if something is off in this equation it's the body's way of essentially fighting to survive by actually increasing these slightly. Unfortunately, there is also the possibility that the blood pressure if elevated (or becoming elevated) for reasons beyond your control, and unfortunately these individuals don't have many options besides being managed on low dose anti-hypertensives.

I was averaging 166/121 for a weird moment. Mine has always been high (hereditary), and I also have tachycardia, and a typical resting pulse of 120-130, which also keeps my blood pressure up. I take metoprolol, which controls my pulse, but still allowed the blood pressure to fluctuate. Now, I know Apple Cider Vinegar is NOT a weight loss prescription (LOL), but it does WONDERS for blood pressure. After 4 days of 2tbsp of vinegar at night before bed (just mixed in water), my blood pressure went down to 116/70. My doctor was very pleased, but recommends that I only do it when my pressure fluctuates higher, since I am already on blood pressure meds. If you want to try it, make sure you get Bragg's organic with the "mother".

Sounds like you have been given some really good ideas. I would add green tea.

I have the opposite. i have low blood pressure and I had to stop drinking Tulsi holy basil green tea due to my blood pressure getting way too low...it was yummy. Not sure it caused the bout of lower blood pressure but i'm not feeling light headed anymore.

Seen a lot of good advice being offered. I have HBP and so did my mom and dad (he still does). Just to re-enforce what is working for me and re-state a little what has been said. Weight loss (if overweight), lower sodium (processed foods have amazing amounts of sodium, so watch and read closely and try not to eat out too much), upping potassium rich foods to help keep balance with the sodium, and water...lots and lots of water. 64oz a day, in my opinion, is rock bottom minimum and I would have issues if I myself did not get twice that amount per day.

I have done lots of things to try and lower it and all I can tell you is that if you do all the natural things and can't lower it there is nothing wrong with going on medication. Just work with your doctor. Taking a pill once or twice a day is better than the damage high blood pressure can do to your body.

I've been doing a lot of research about how to do this naturally and I'm eating well, losing weight and exercising so not much MORE I can do on that front :P

My sister is an ND student, and she can't ethically recommend I take something but she did suggest I look into magnesium supplements. I learned quite a bit and am now supplementing all of this with magnesium supplements to the tune of 600mg/day. Do some research, it might help you too!