Being sick and blood pressure.

When you have pain it will definitely will raise your blood pressure. One you are feeling better, retake your BP, It will come back down after your body calms from the stress. Good luck on the follow-up and hope all goes well.

Your top number is high however I'm sure it's due to the stresses of being sick. Pain increases blood pressure. Also with the loss of 21 pounds you would typically have a decrease in blood pressure. I'm sure its high due to your pain but I would get it checked to be sure

In the end, sodium does not cause high blood pressure. But I know what will take BP off the charts, the prescription meds & OTC meds for High BP or acid reflux. When ever the Body reacts (such as acid reflux) it is actually saying that you are NOT producing enough acid to digest (break-down) your food and thus it is coming back up. This is usually because of poor food combining; I suggest Googling Food Combining Charts and see what you are doing (eating) wrong. The worse things you can do is (1) Eat Fruit with ANYTHING (Fruit should always be eaten alone on an Empty stomach); (2) Eat Starch and Proteins Together. When you learn what digestive enzymes and acids are used to digest certain foods, and that they work against each other, then food combining will become your "Friend" in many ways. So if I were you I would look into THIS before allowing MDs and Ex-rays to get into you. Remember those medications simply give you temporary relief (surpress natural acids) while your problem keep on getting worse.

Pain and illness ALWAYS raises BP. But, your BP was NOT high. They seem to have way lowered the bar on acceptable BP levels over the recent years. It's my belief it has been done to increase the patient use of statins to line the pockets and fatten the bank accounts of the pharmaceutical companies.

Meh!

I'm not a fan of drugs to reduce acid reflux, but don't believe everything you read on MFP - If it was truly bad to eat fruits with anything else, nobody could eat pizza or spaghetti with red sauce, as tomatoes are a fruit. Also the concept of mixing starches with proteins being bad makes no sense, as most starchy foods also contain some protein. There may be some specific foods that set your reflux off that you may wish to avoid, but the best way to figure that out is to keep a written log of what you eat with notes regarding how the food affects your "belly".

That IS the POINT: People combine everything and THEN cry sick or acid reflux. Do you know the biggest selling OTC Drugs, Laxatives and Heartburn meds...why? Combining the wrong foods and eating everything. Your argument is the BEST to SUPPORT what I said earlier. Pizza, sandwiches with "meats", meat and potatoes...THIS is why people are so SICK and suffering from Constipation, OBESITY, Acid Reflux...

Also, you do NOT read for comprehension: I NEVER said "Proteins" are BAD (I actually do NOT believe in that concept - Protein), what I said is that Proteins and Starches should NEVER be EATEN TOGETHER! You need to learn how the Body works! Until people give up OLD BAD Concepts of eating they will continue to be sick, have surgery to correct Simple Problems (like acid reflux, which surgery re-routes your intestines and stomach...the Wt. loss Surgery that is NOW in vogue is a result of Acid Reflux Surgery. It was originally done to stop Gerd/to save the esophagus, and they discovered that people also lost weight). Keep doing what You are doing and You will keep getting the same results!

Many foods are Predominantly one macro-nutrient...such as beans, meats, green leaf veggies, fruit, refined foods; that predominant macro nutrient will determine its classification, that is sooo simple. Example: Why do you think people have so much trouble digesting Beans and Rice, because they should NOT be eaten together. Beans is a starch and protein (but mainly protein strong) and should be eaten with a green leaf veggie. But people have fallen in "love" with this combination so they will continue to "suffer" when eaten. What people LIKE and also Cultural habits determine what people eat, it DOES NOT mean it is good for their HEALTH! Ideally beans should NOT be eaten at all. Learn more before you contradict knowledge!

Definitely your blood pressure should be down if you are feeling better.

I have been dealing with acid reflux since I was about 10. While I wouldn't say to rush to medicine, it can help. For me, no matter what I do, every 6-12 months, my acid reflux starts acting up again. I take a 2 week course of Prilosec OTC (or whatever generic I can find) and it helps me. I still have to avoid things like orange juice, really acidic foods/juices, and rich food for the most part. Even then, I still have issues.

For you, you'll have to find your solution. Next time it comes around, it won't be so terrifying, since you know what is going on. Take it one step at a time.

And I don't think that combining foods (incorrectly or correctly) has anything to do with it.

While it's not scary high, it's borderline high - 120/80 is ideal. Definitely check it regularly as recommended so that you have some history to report when you go back. And let them know about your losing weight, healthier diet and quitting smoking. Don't let them put you on meds unless your BP is regularly high and even then, ask if you can try to clean up your diet a bit more to see if it helps. Do you exercise too? Regular activity can help lower BP as well.

As far as experience goes, I've got a good one for you. About 7 years ago, I was out shoveling and slipped on some hidden ice. I broke my tibia and severely sprained the tendon on the back of that leg as well. I was all by myself and hauled my big butt inside and eventually decided I better call 911 to get help because the pain was getting worse as the shock wore off. When the EMTs came to get me, they checked my BP and I can't remember exactly what he said but it was something crazy like 190/110 and the guy told me if I didn't calm down, there was a good chance I'd stroke out. Thankfully I was able to calm down a little but my BP stayed borderline high until Hubby showed up.

P.S. AND when I was heavier, I had a little something they call "white coat" syndrome. If I was seeing a doctor I knew and trusted, I was fine but when I went in to see one of the doctors I didn't like (nagging about weight loss, etc) it would spike a bit. They even tested it out by having me checked by the attendent I didn't know and then having my regular doctor check it and it was lower when my doc did it. Oh and that same evil nagging doc claimed there's no such thing as white coat syndrome... Yeah, she's a beyotch