Yeah I've had it since I was young and my dad having a massive brain tumor. So I even freak out at the eye dr. They all know though.
Talk to me about high blood pressure.
Bosco - I don't blame you. I too am wary of the long term effects of all these medications. All my numbers started trending higher as soon as I also hit 55. My BP (the first number in the 140s), my cholesterol (over 220), my A1C (in the prediabetic area), etc. The numbers were starting to get bad. I was also like you, not overweight, but of course was growing a Dad bod. And if I could avoid it, I wanted to try a natural way before being put on meds.
First - If you are in an extremely bad situation - life or heartache threatening - then I would probably advise to get on some meds to control that risk immediately. You can always drop the meds once you get everything under control.
If however after speaking with your Dr., he will give you time to turn it around, then its quite simple in concept. exercise, diet and become more active. you have to be committed though. no such things as cheat days or sleeping in and not exercising - at least for 6 months straight - then you can ease up a bit.
For exercise - I did, and continue to do a morning 1 hour bootcamp fitness class (5x a week, sometimes 6). And that doesn't count golf or other mild exercises. This gets me moving and really gets the heart pumping. I'd recommend something that really pushes you and gives you a good sweat. At 55 just going to the gym and lifting weights is not the goal. And I learned, that for myself, I work harder when pushed and in a class, then when I exercise alone.
Diet - It goes without saying that you will need to take in less calories than you burn in order to lose weight. I lost 20 pounds (I was 205- now 185ish). Shoot for a 10% body weight loss over 6 months. Your #s will be shockingly better - if on a diet and daily exercise. I'm not a nutritionist, so don't hold me to the exact numbers, but for me to stay at my previous weight I needed about 2000-2200 calories, but ate about 1500-1700 per day. Track everything you eat to keep honest (i mean every chip, every Hershey kiss- otherwise you are just lying to yourself). many free apps out there - I use "Lose It!" since it determines the calories based on the portion of food you eat. As for food, it goes without saying the leaner, less fatty proteins- the better for you, and for carbs - avoid white carbs - white bread, white rice and pasta - every chance you can. And when you have a choice opt for veggies that have lower sugar/carb content. As a general rule, green veggies have less carbs/sugar than color veggies - just to make it easier so you need not have to check each veggie you eat. **DO NOT EAT LESS THAN 1500 CALORIES** some folks think the less they eat the quicker results, but your body will go into shut down mode if it doesn't have enough calories to operate the basic functions of life, and actually slow down your metabolism. slow and steady is the goal. Avoid extra/excess salt and sugars.
Active - look for ways to move throughout the day. I have a standing desk at the office and at home, and I try to stand 1 or 2X a day for an hour. In better weather, I may go outside for a 15min walk. I work in the city, so I get off one subway stop earlier and walk. park further in the parking lot to walk to the store. when going to the bathroom, take a lap around the office. All these little things over the day add up.
Some other things I do to keep me on track - I weigh myself everyday. it keeps me honest and if I see a 3-4pound increase, I really focus back on my go-to diet routine. My Dr and I also has me going in every 4 months. 1 for the annual physical, and then 2 visits 4 months apart - for blood work. the blood work tracks my numbers to ensure I am keeping the numbers in line.
Good luck. I'm rooting for you!! Message me if you have any questions on what I did.
First - If you are in an extremely bad situation - life or heartache threatening - then I would probably advise to get on some meds to control that risk immediately. You can always drop the meds once you get everything under control.
If however after speaking with your Dr., he will give you time to turn it around, then its quite simple in concept. exercise, diet and become more active. you have to be committed though. no such things as cheat days or sleeping in and not exercising - at least for 6 months straight - then you can ease up a bit.
For exercise - I did, and continue to do a morning 1 hour bootcamp fitness class (5x a week, sometimes 6). And that doesn't count golf or other mild exercises. This gets me moving and really gets the heart pumping. I'd recommend something that really pushes you and gives you a good sweat. At 55 just going to the gym and lifting weights is not the goal. And I learned, that for myself, I work harder when pushed and in a class, then when I exercise alone.
Diet - It goes without saying that you will need to take in less calories than you burn in order to lose weight. I lost 20 pounds (I was 205- now 185ish). Shoot for a 10% body weight loss over 6 months. Your #s will be shockingly better - if on a diet and daily exercise. I'm not a nutritionist, so don't hold me to the exact numbers, but for me to stay at my previous weight I needed about 2000-2200 calories, but ate about 1500-1700 per day. Track everything you eat to keep honest (i mean every chip, every Hershey kiss- otherwise you are just lying to yourself). many free apps out there - I use "Lose It!" since it determines the calories based on the portion of food you eat. As for food, it goes without saying the leaner, less fatty proteins- the better for you, and for carbs - avoid white carbs - white bread, white rice and pasta - every chance you can. And when you have a choice opt for veggies that have lower sugar/carb content. As a general rule, green veggies have less carbs/sugar than color veggies - just to make it easier so you need not have to check each veggie you eat. **DO NOT EAT LESS THAN 1500 CALORIES** some folks think the less they eat the quicker results, but your body will go into shut down mode if it doesn't have enough calories to operate the basic functions of life, and actually slow down your metabolism. slow and steady is the goal. Avoid extra/excess salt and sugars.
Active - look for ways to move throughout the day. I have a standing desk at the office and at home, and I try to stand 1 or 2X a day for an hour. In better weather, I may go outside for a 15min walk. I work in the city, so I get off one subway stop earlier and walk. park further in the parking lot to walk to the store. when going to the bathroom, take a lap around the office. All these little things over the day add up.
Some other things I do to keep me on track - I weigh myself everyday. it keeps me honest and if I see a 3-4pound increase, I really focus back on my go-to diet routine. My Dr and I also has me going in every 4 months. 1 for the annual physical, and then 2 visits 4 months apart - for blood work. the blood work tracks my numbers to ensure I am keeping the numbers in line.
Good luck. I'm rooting for you!! Message me if you have any questions on what I did.
ADD-ON -- if after you did all that for 6 months, lost the weight, watched what you ate, exercised, became active, and your BP still is very high, then you will need the meds. But by doing the above my BP went from the 140s/90s to 117/72. So it is possible.
My doctor says that even with good health overall as we age arterial walls become less flexible then tells me to shut up and take the pills. No problems though on a Beta blocker and makes me want to go even harder during summer while I can. Going to try a treadmill maybe tomorrow for first time, I miss the walk.
JPH87
Active member
My heart has been on the endangered species list since 1998 when I had open heart bypass surgery at age 61. Several meds: statin to keep cholesterol in bounds, Plavix to minimize coagulation in the arteries, and blood pressure med to keep it from working too hard. Also now a pacemaker since 2020. So...yes, I take them all to stay alive and keep playing golf. 
I have been on generic Hytrin (Terazosin) and a low dosage of Amlodipine for many years. My kidney doctor recently reduced the dosage of Terazosin. The need to be at 120/80 is driven by the pharmaceutical industry! Many years ago, it never had to be that low to be considered "normal". My doctors only get concerned if my systolic number (upper one) gets over 140.
I'm a big man, 71 years old, 6'3", 300 lbs. so my doc says lose weight and excercise. I walk 2 miles everyday and it's helped. The lose weight part is tougher though I'm 20 lbs lighter than I was in 2020. I used to take Amlodipine and a water pill, HCT25. It worked but rushing to the bathroom every two hours got to be a pain so he put me on Lisinopril 40 which did the trick without the diuretic.
I have the same thing. I tested mine earlier it was 120/76. Go to the DR it's 148/92.
Hah - I have had the same issue.
I have always been right around 120/80 then a few years ago it was 140 something over 90. I was so confused and alarmed.
I found 1) if they use the regular cuff it reads high. Need the XL cuff. 2) I try to take slow deep breathes before and while they take BP and calm myself down 3) I also started using half salt.
The last few times I've been right around 120/80 again.
Lisinopril here. Just had to get the dosage right because doc started me off on too high a dosage and I was having issues with my BP going too low. Once we got it dialed in, all good.
The powers-that-be lowered the standard for high blood pressure diagnosis in 2017, and all of a sudden almost everybody "needed" to be on BP meds. Funny how that works.
My doc is happy as long as I keep it under 140/90.
Just watch the NSAID intact with that. Not saying you can't just not a lot every day.This is what they gave me:
LOSARTAN POTASSIUM
and I’m still anxiously looking at the bottle.
I use this as well. What is the dose? 25 or 50 mg?
This is what they gave me:
LOSARTAN POTASSIUM
and I’m still anxiously looking at the bottle.
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I've been on HBP medicine for a few years, hereditary from my mom.
Started on Amlodipine, but it swelled my legs up and gave me cankles.
Switched to Lisinopril and things are good. No side effects or issues, and the numbers look good.
Started on Amlodipine, but it swelled my legs up and gave me cankles.
Switched to Lisinopril and things are good. No side effects or issues, and the numbers look good.
I’ve been on HBP meds (Losartan and others) since my heart attack in 2020. Max dose twice a day. Mine is hereditary and the meds work. Listen to the doctor and take them.
Do you watch your sodium intake? I had a problem in the Army and it was from using WAY too much salt. Cut back - a lot - and it stopped the high readings. Now I just have HBP and need meds because I’m old and dimensionally challenged.
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Stress too. Mine went from 140/90 to like 130/80 with medication and stayed there for like a year and a half. Then I switched jobs and it reset down to 120/80 about 2 months later and it’s been perfect for the last year. I think most of us (men) understate the impact stress has on us.
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It’s just a large dose of potassium supplement. It’s not that big of a deal as far as medicine goes.This is what they gave me:
LOSARTAN POTASSIUM
and I’m still anxiously looking at the bottle.
It's what I'm on.
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- #44
- Thread starter
- #45
100, which after reading that it comes 25,50,100 kinda has me concerned.
That's the max dose I believe. Your BP that high?
- Thread starter
- #48
145/80 something
Not terrible