Blood pressure question...almost afraid to ask

[pop goes the weasel]

What is considered high for blood pressure? When I went to the dr. they said mine was 146/100 and put me on meds. Is this real high?

[AnW819]

I believe my DH's is similar and they said his is really high.

[savvy_sniper]

Yes, that is high. I believe they like to keep your BP under 140/80. I KNOW the bottom number is 80. It used to be 90.

[imagine]

Here is a link to the levels (stages) in regard to blood pressure

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/detect/categ.htm

You go by which ever one is in highest

so 146/100 would be stage two hypertension

But don't worry about it that can make it worse.

You say they put you on medication that will help lower it.

Did they have you get a blood pressure machine to check it at home?

[sahm2boys]

yup thats high
i ve been on it since my first son was born

[craftypam]

"Perfect" pressure is 120/80. And yes that is high

[MaryCarney]

The top number (systolic) measures how forcefully your heart pushes blood through the vessels. The bottom number (diastolic) measures the force when your heart is at rest. BOTH of your numbers are high - esp. the diastolic.

The problem with high blood pressure is that unlike many other dangerous conditions, it doesn't HURT! It is so easy to ignore / slack off on meds because, after all, YOU FEEL FINE!

But untreated, it causes damage that eventually is irreversible (stroke, heart damage, kidney failure, blindness)

The good news is there are lots of meds to treat it, and you can live a long and happy life on BP meds. MANY BP meds are on the WalMart $4 plan too, so if paying for a prescription is an issue, you have many options.

[sahm2boys]

The top number (systolic) measures how forcefully your heart pushes blood through the vessels. The bottom number (diastolic) measures the force when your heart is at rest. BOTH of your numbers are high - esp. the diastolic.

The problem with high blood pressure is that unlike many other dangerous conditions, it doesn't HURT! It is so easy to ignore / slack off on meds because, after all, YOU FEEL FINE!

But untreated, it causes damage that eventually is irreversible (stroke, heart damage, kidney failure, blindness)

The good news is there are lots of meds to treat it, and you can live a long and happy life on BP meds. MANY BP meds are on the WalMart $4 plan too, so if paying for a prescription is an issue, you have many options.

i dont have insurance and i am so THANKFUL for the $4 Rx

and it is very easy to skip a does for me which is BAD but i forget, i get lazy, i feel fine...the i feel fine is my most used line...my husband and mother JUMP me all the time...i get really bad headaches if i forget now, i will occassionally see spots, and i can feel the blood rush to my face.

i was fine, then i got pregnant and it was HARD pregnancy, he was early because of the preclamsyia and they said do the c section she'll be better..wrong! it got worse..it jump so high i remember some times where the bottom number was over 100..i think it got to 114 once maybe higher the top number was up there too...but i FELT fine..no headaches, no spots, no blurry vision..the nurses and doctors couldnt not believe i wasnt having serious complications. BUT my husband said he could watch the color in my face to know what my blood pressure was doing....so it is the SILENT KILLER for real.

2nd pregnant, on meds..NO PROBLEMS healthy full term baby but im still on the meds and have been for almost 5 years now

please take your meds and be safe

[Lora88]

I have had high bp for years it is easily controllable and the meds are not expensive if you smoke stop try to walk everyday and limit your salt intake and alchol comsumption Not to worry you can live a long life with high bp

[pop goes the weasel]

Sorry it took me so long to get back. I lost the thread. I have cut back on salt and eat very little processed food. I don't drink but I do smoke. I have cut that back to about 1/2 -1 pack a day. The stress around here lately has been bad but I am trying to deal with it. I haven't got a machine yet and probably won't be able to get one til after christmas due to 2 messed up paychecks. Dh is really good about cutting back on stuff but his daughter is causing alot of problems that he can't get under control. As far as she's cncerned I could drop dead tomorrow and she'd throw a party. I am taking meds, Linsinopril 10 mg. Thanks for the advice. It's good to have a place to go and ask questions. If you look at my posts you will see that I do alot of cooking and baking. I do this because I enjoy it and to have stuff on hand for dh's lunch. I don't remember the last time I have had a cookie. I did have a piece of cake last month. I really don't care for sweets. It doesn't sound like much but I have lost almost 20 pounds in the last 6 months. I have a hard time exercising because I arthritis in my hips and knees even though I know it probably would help to exercise.

[imagine]

Sorry it took me so long to get back. I lost the thread. I have cut back on salt and eat very little processed food. I don't drink but I do smoke. I have cut that back to about 1/2 -1 pack a day. The stress around here lately has been bad but I am trying to deal with it. I haven't got a machine yet and probably won't be able to get one til after christmas due to 2 messed up paychecks. Dh is really good about cutting back on stuff but his daughter is causing alot of problems that he can't get under control. As far as she's cncerned I could drop dead tomorrow and she'd throw a party. I am taking meds, Linsinopril 10 mg. Thanks for the advice. It's good to have a place to go and ask questions. If you look at my posts you will see that I do alot of cooking and baking. I do this because I enjoy it and to have stuff on hand for dh's lunch. I don't remember the last time I have had a cookie. I did have a piece of cake last month. I really don't care for sweets. It doesn't sound like much but I have lost almost 20 pounds in the last 6 months. I have a hard time exercising because I arthritis in my hips and knees even though I know it probably would help to exercise.

Do you have a Walgreens? They often have blood pressure machines on sale or for rebate ( not generally free after rebate but cheap) They are often 50% off i know that.

I took Linsionpril 10 mg and it worked great for me . Doc is having me try with out it to see what happens. I feel like I need it back we will she what she says after I'm done checking the blood pressures as long as she wants.

And 20 pounds in 6 months is great!

[cab54]

The top number (systolic) measures how forcefully your heart pushes blood through the vessels. The bottom number (diastolic) measures the force when your heart is at rest. BOTH of your numbers are high - esp. the diastolic.

The problem with high blood pressure is that unlike many other dangerous conditions, it doesn't HURT! It is so easy to ignore / slack off on meds because, after all, YOU FEEL FINE!

But untreated, it causes damage that eventually is irreversible (stroke, heart damage, kidney failure, blindness)

The good news is there are lots of meds to treat it, and you can live a long and happy life on BP meds. MANY BP meds are on the WalMart $4 plan too, so if paying for a prescription is an issue, you have many options.

This is everything I was going to say to you. Nurse-minds think alike! LOL! My own doctor doesn't even like to see the diastolic (bottom #) above 70. I sit on the 'table' and meditate and deep breathe before he comes in. I've noticed at home, my BP is fine, and at the doc's it's higher. Once I've finally battled downtown traffic and found a parking place, it's sure to have gone up.

But yours is pretty high. Take the meds.

[pat in east texas]

Mine's about 130/80 at the doc's. It's 170/? at the dentist.

[mauimagic]

Mahalo for the info - think I will invest in a BP machine for at home.

[sinopa27]

Also, when you take the meds and your blood pressure is good, then that means the meds are working. Don't make the mistake and stop the meds cause your blood pressure is good. People make this mistake and then come into the ER a few days later with an outrageous blood pressure.