Has anybody else had/have a high diastolic blood pressure, and what did you do to decrease it?

ca4july
ca4july Posts: 1 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Looking for natural remedy because I don’t like medication side effects.

Answers

  • tomcustombuilder
    tomcustombuilder Posts: 2,261 Member
    Not knowing anything about you it’s hard to say what to do. The most basic things if you’re overweight is to lose the weight and get on an exercise program. Alcohol also affects that so if you do drink alcohol, you would want to think about eliminating that, those are the main factors to consider.
  • avatiach
    avatiach Posts: 311 Member
    Are you taking your blood pressure at home? That is a good way to monitor when/if it is raised. Cutting out salt can make a big difference too.
  • Corina1143
    Corina1143 Posts: 3,910 Member
    edited January 2
    Checking for hints. Mines ok for now, trying to keep it that way.
    Mine was caused by pain. Fixed the pain-- fixed the blood pressure.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,687 Member
    Reach a healthy weight, get good overall nutrition, exercise regularly (build up gradually from current fitness level), limit stress where possible and manage it better if not possible to eliminate.

    It's pretty much all that normal stuff to promote good health that many people can't quite convince themselves to do because it seems too hard. Surprise: It's not. And it's more than worth it.

    There can genetic predispositions to high blood pressure that may limit ability to lower blood pressure to some extent. Those normal, boring interventions are still the best way to get it as low as the genetics will permit.

    FWIW, my formerly high BP is now consistently normal, sometimes low normal. I tried some supplements and what-not with no real success. In my case, weight loss was the biggie. YMMV.

  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,286 Member
    It was problematic for me and originally prescribed 2 different medications and used them for a few years. That changed when I lost weight, about 40lbs and switched to a whole food diet and lower carb. I mentioned to my Doctor what I was going to do and the medication went away well before I lost all the weight and have not used medication and haven't need it for well over a decade.
  • HoneyBadger302
    HoneyBadger302 Posts: 2,091 Member
    edited January 2
    For me, there have been two things in particular that helped more than anything:
    1. Reducing stress - this doesn't mean less busy or less on my plate (in fact, there's a lot more on my plate) but emotionally disconnecting from the things that I couldn't change that were stressing me out, and pursuing my own goals and dreams and letting my energy focus there instead.
    2. A good Omega-3 supplement is proven to be very helpful in lowering BP (lots of evidence from reliable sources to that one).

    I am still carrying more weight than I should be, I'm still not working out like I should be, and I'm not always eating like I should be - but those two things took me from "scary high" to "high end of normal for me." Fitness and weight loss bring it down even lower (but that has been inconsistent for me the past couple years). When I add those in, I was back down to nearly what I was in my 20's, super fit, in the military...

    There is family history of hbp but even family has shown they can lower it when they find and reduce their triggers.

    ETA, I do monitor at home very regularly - which is also how I knew what I was doing was working.
  • Courtscan2
    Courtscan2 Posts: 501 Member
    Hibiscus tea has been shown to reduce blood pressure significantly in a number of double blind studies. So I'd give this a shot, in addition to lifestyle interventions as above. But also.....follow the advice of your doctor.
  • tomcustombuilder
    tomcustombuilder Posts: 2,261 Member
    Courtscan2 wrote: »
    Hibiscus tea has been shown to reduce blood pressure significantly in a number of double blind studies. So I'd give this a shot, in addition to lifestyle interventions as above. But also.....follow the advice of your doctor.
    But be aware that most doctors are quick to put you on drugs.
  • MargaretYakoda
    MargaretYakoda Posts: 2,998 Member
    tomcustombuilder wrote: »
    Courtscan2 wrote: »
    Hibiscus tea has been shown to reduce blood pressure significantly in a number of double blind studies. So I'd give this a shot, in addition to lifestyle interventions as above. But also.....follow the advice of your doctor.
    But be aware that most doctors are quick to put you on drugs.

    They are…. And for good reason. High blood pressure is very dangerous when left uncontrolled.

    That said? Lots of good advice here.
    It’s easy enough to get a home blood pressure monitor (they’re cheap) and take your blood pressure a few times a day at different times. Then do pretty much everything suggested in the comments above. Chances are you can get it down without meds if you’re consistent about it.

    But if you do lose weight, and cut the sodium and stress, but your blood pressure remains high?
    Please listen to your doctor.
    High blood pressure is a killer.
  • ked1970
    ked1970 Posts: 7 Member
    Lose weight, exercise, drink your water, and avoid salt. Then consider taking the meds

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