Intermittent Fasting - High BP - coincidence?

It's possible they're connected. IF does a lot of good things for the body -- upregulates certain things, down-regulates others. Check out Mark's Daily Apple for several articles on how it affects the body. Many people rpt similar results there.

I love IF. Makes me feel a lot better. Congrats on the #s.

I originally thought that IF might raise one's BP since more adrenalin is released in a fasted state. My BP was 130/85 but that was at the height of my bulk when I weighed around 185 lbs. Now that I'm down to around my normal weight of 170 lbs, my BP is slightly under 110/70.

I don't believe IF is detrimental to BP. Weight and age are the biggest factors for BP, besides, I eat about 10g salt daily and have below normal BP now

Weight and age are the biggest factors for BP

So maybe it's because I've lost some weight??? However, within the last 10 years, I have weighed less than I am now and my BP was still high

Losing weight will definately lower your bp because you blood does not have as far to go. (simply put).
But be wary of certain foods too, salt is a huge influence in incresed blood pressure, as is stress etc...there are so many reasons.... so , if it works , keep doing what you are doing, but please don't ignore other influences.

Very happy for you though x

Losing weight can lower blood pressure. Even more, though, exercise. Even if your weight is mostly the same, exercising does wonders for lowering blood pressure.

And sometimes blood pressure is just plain inexplicable. Even when I was 100 lbs overweight my bp averaged 103/60. I'm just weird.

I would recommend that when you return to your doc for the follow up that you tell the doc about the intermittent fasting. There is no reason to keep it a secret. If you think it's a factor, let the doc know. If you're right, you might not need the medication much longer. Why would you want to stay on a medication if it's not needed? Always fully disclose to your doctor. Worst case scenario they tell you it's irrelevant or to stop doing it. You say, "it works for me, I'm going to do it." They say, ok.

I'm working on my BP and for me it's been a complete enigma. I've never had problems with the BP before and I'm in the best shape in 10 years so it doesn't make sense to me. I'm always drinking water and watching my sodium.

The only viable theory for my high BP is that I got it from my dad. Anyways, I've been taking CoQ10 and Lisinoprel (20mg) to keep my blood pressure in check for the last two weeks.

Why did you keep your mouth shut about IF. I would have been interested to hear what the doctor had to say.

I'm friends with a doctor. I mentioned before in her presence that I typically didn't eat breakfast, and I got "....metabolism, yadda, yadda, yeadda..."

Thats great to hear about your BP.

I have a low BP, hope it doesn't lower it anymore!!

Seriously though you sound like youre making great progress with your goals!

Hi all, I started IF, a new weight program and calorie restricted diet at the same time. I feel IF does have a effect on BP but hard to say since I started it all at once. Was getting 140/100 readings lost about 25 lbs with cardio, weights and diet . BP was better but still was getting higher readings especially if my cardio lacked for any amount of time. Usually just around 130/90. Started Intermittent fasting, heavy lifting and started counting calories and cut my weight down another 15lbs over 3 months. Now readings are always under 120/80. Can't say it's IF for sure but feel that it's helping in many ways but can't know for sure as I've made so many changes. Regardless I'm positive it isn't detrimental and makes life so much easier day to day so I'm sticking with it!

Some of the claimed benefits of IF included increased healing and recovery, increased tolerance to stress, decreased inflammation, increased focus, and increased insulin stabilization as well as an accelerated metabolism and ability to burn fat and build lean muscle. Even if only a couple pan out to be proven by science, well documented double blind controlled studies needed, I'm still going to do it. It just works for my schedule and simplifies my day.

My next appointment with specialist is in a month so we'll see what he has to say

Saw the specialist last week and he says my blood work and other checks are all good. He says he no longer needs to be tracking/following me. He did a series of 6 BP readings in his office and the average was 114/74. Last time I was in his office my own readings were averaging about 125/85 but in office I was still seeing high readings of 140/90. Any way seems like since I've lost more weight its consistently lower now. Again doing so much including IF so hard to tell. But combined with weight loss, cardio, lifting weights (heavy compound movements), and better diet over the year my weight has gone from 185LBS-140LBS, my blood pressure has gone from 140/100 -> 115/75, and I've lost about 10 inches off my waist.

Hi all, I started IF, a new weight program and calorie restricted diet at the same time. I feel IF does have a effect on BP but hard to say since I started it all at once. Was getting 140/100 readings lost about 25 lbs with cardio, weights and diet . BP was better but still was getting higher readings especially if my cardio lacked for any amount of time. Usually just around 130/90. Started Intermittent fasting, heavy lifting and started counting calories and cut my weight down another 15lbs over 3 months. Now readings are always under 120/80. Can't say it's IF for sure but feel that it's helping in many ways but can't know for sure as I've made so many changes. Regardless I'm positive it isn't detrimental and makes life so much easier day to day so I'm sticking with it!

Some of the claimed benefits of IF included increased healing and recovery, increased tolerance to stress, decreased inflammation, increased focus, and increased insulin stabilization as well as an accelerated metabolism and ability to burn fat and build lean muscle. Even if only a couple pan out to be proven by science, well documented double blind controlled studies needed, I'm still going to do it. It just works for my schedule and simplifies my day.

My next appointment with specialist is in a month so we'll see what he has to say

I have never had any problems with my blood pressure, but I LOVE IF! I find that it is easier for me to stay within my caloric goals eating only 2 meals & one snack per day. I have lost over 80 lbs since July 2012. I advise people to do what is best for them, but IF & MFP have been the keys to my success. Congratulations on the improved blood pressure results!