Blood pressure?

KathyRN1109
KathyRN1109 Posts: 3 Member
edited November 15 in Motivation and Support
Looking for some support! I am 36 and have lost 18 pounds since January. I have a lot more to go (about 70lbs). I have been struggling with blood pressure--140/100. The top number will go down, but that bottom number has stayed 90-100. Have any of you had success lowering blood pressure on this program? I am getting ready to incorporate exercise once the pressure is controlled. Feeling like a failure today, and scared of the heart effects of this. We have tried a diuretic and it had no impact at all on the pressures. Any feedback welcome!!!!! Thanks!


Replies

  • starbucktigh
    starbucktigh Posts: 170 Member
    I don't have any advice, as I have the opposite problem - very low blood pressure - but I want to wish you luck and welcome you to the forums!
  • mulecanter
    mulecanter Posts: 1,792 Member
    I am not a doctor and I hope you are consulting one as you pursue weight loss. You need exercise more and more as you lose the easy pounds. I recommend walking as a start. Check with doc, if ok, start logging some serious miles walking. There are great apps that calculate calorie burns (via GPS on smart phone) and report them automatically to MFP. Losing 70 can only help with blood pressure, it may not solve it if you have a predisposition to run high. Your overall health will improve--keep going!!
  • wennim
    wennim Posts: 276 Member
    My husband started watching what he ate and exercising regularly and has come off of both of the blood pressure medications he was on. For him it was more the exercise that did it than the diet. So it does work for some people.

    On the other hand, I think some of it is genetic and unavoidable. I have lost 115 lbs, exercise daily, watch my salt intake and am in the best shape of my life. Unfortunately as the weight has come off my blood pressure has gone up and my dr is now talking medication.

    Did your dr tell you not to exercise until it is under control? My last reading was 136/100 and I was told that as long as I didn't have any side effects that I was fine to exercise. Every person is different and all you can do is try.
  • KathyRN1109
    KathyRN1109 Posts: 3 Member
    Thanks so much! As far as exercise--my doctor said walking was fine but no high impact until we figure this out. My bottom number is the biggest problem! I started on meds, and the doctor said we will monitor. He said some people will eventually reduce or lose them, and others will need to stay on them. Wennim--do you find the lower number is more of an issue?
  • reeshelen55
    reeshelen55 Posts: 14
    I had the same problem, my b/p was 225/165 I'm on medication but also cut out all salt and animal fat, my b/p is getting a lot lower now and I've managed to lose 14lb :-)
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    Eating foods high in potassium can help a lot. I eat a lot of green things like spinach, bok choy, zucchini and chard. Bananas, sweet potatoes and regular potatoes are also good sources. Hibiscus tea is supposed to help lower BP and beets or beet juice are also supposed to be very good. I know mine is slowly lowering with those things and exercise. Walking would be my number one thing to start. I can take readings before exercise and see it higher, exercise and wait 30 minutes then take it again and I'm much lower. It's very helpful!
  • wabmester
    wabmester Posts: 2,748 Member
    Exercise seems to help a bit, but the effect flattens out quickly.

    Look into ketogenic (low-carb) diets. Not only are they good for losing weight, but when you excrete ketones, they are coupled to a sodium ion. Net effect: sodium retention drops, and so does blood pressure.
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    Not sure, but I am down 15 lbs and BP has gone from 126/84 to 110/74 in @6 months. And I've actually been ingesting more sodium than I used to thanks to popcorn lol.
  • LuckyMe2017
    LuckyMe2017 Posts: 454 Member
    Hi. I am 32. I had been on BP meds for about 5 years, but got off of them the beginning of this month. Yesterday, my BP was 107/75.
    On December 31, 2014 I started walking 8-10 miles a week and gradually started jogging intermittently. I jogged a full mile for the first time yesterday. I have also lost 39 pounds since October 21st.
    My BP went up for 2 days last week to 145/90ish which is what it was with no meds on a regular, but I attribute that to eating out a full week while vacationing in Chicago.
    So, a combination of weight loss, walking, and diet over the last 4 months have resulted in me not needing meds. One other thing I noticed is that my BP didn't lower significantly until I got under the weight I was when I first started meds, which was around 180-185.
    Best wishes!
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