I know the bp machines in pharmacies and stores aren't always the most accurate pieces of equipment in the world, but most of the time, when I have taken my bp at those before, it appears very normal. However, in the past couple of weeks, I have taken it a few times at these and it's running high...either in the "pre hypertension" area or the "hypertension" area. I go back for my annual checkup either the end of this month or the first of Sept. and will address it with my doctor then...but until then, who suffers from high bp and what do you do to keep it under control other than meds? What are some things besides diet and stress that can cause high bp? I also take levothyroxine (generic Synthroid) and metformin (generic Glucophage)...will either of those cause it?

Well I have hypertension, but I take medicine for it. It can be lowered somewhat with diet, exercise, watching your sodium intake, maintaining an ideal body weight, relaxation techniques, etc. But some hypertension also has an hereditary basis. So if you have lots of people in your family with hypertension you may not really be able to control it with those techniques alone. My older brother had to start taking medication around 30 (we have a VERY strong familial incidence) even though he was of normal weight and a competitive bike rider. If your's is still just borderline or barely high though, you may be able to lower it through some of those preventative techniques. HTH

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My DH has borderline high blood pressure, probably due to work related stress. Our doc just has him exercise and watch his diet and that keeps it under control for him. Hope your doctor has the same to say to you when you see him!

I'm gonna try to work on this before I see the doctor so there's actually nothing for him to say about my blood pressure! Right now, I can only make it to the Y on Tues. and Thurs., but I'm going to do it. I went yesterday and walked 2 miles, did some leg presses and some chest presses...I always feel better when I exercise anyway. It's just finding the motivation to do so.

My DH had borderline high blood pressure (140/88) and he dropped 10 lbs. and started using an essential oil blend I made for him on the soles of his feet at night. He had a physical last week and his BP had dropped to 122/68. You might want to give that a try before going on any meds. Just my two cents!

Mostly det and excersise in additon to proper medication will keep it down. You dr will not treat you right away unless you start to have a history of BP going higher. This is what they told me. I recnetnly started seeing a new dr, and there is a STONG family history of HBP and heart disease in my family. I'm under close watch because I did have an elevated BP once, and I'm under alot of stress right now. But they are willing to wait till they see a 'pattern' before putting me on medication.

My father died of a strocke related to HBP, and my mother recently had a heart attack. She has had HBP since the stress of my father passing away 12 years ago.

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~Missy~Mommy
Meghan7.Samantha6,Cameron4

Back together!! Sept 28th Boston TDCenter!! Woohooooo!

It runs heavily in my family history. I have had really high blood pressure since my last pregnancy and also with a prior pregnancy--baby is 1.5 years old and BP is still high. I am overweight (190lbs) so that doesn't help, I also have realized that there is a lot of salt in my world--it was really surprising to me when I really started watching it.

I take hydrochlorothyiside (or how ever you spell it), just a low dose--it's pretty much a diuretic to help remove excess fluid. I learned all about how this works in my anatomy class-- it's pretty cool but I won't bore you with details.....I just know it works.

I am also prone to lots of stress with everything going on around here, I have to keep the bp low or I have headaches all the time.

I know when my bp is high based on how I feel. I have taken my bp at stores but I don't get really acurate measures--the key is to document when and what your results were--consistantly before you see your doctor.

I might also recommend one of the at-home cuffs and still document your results (a good one will cost you about $50--your insurance may pay for it if your doctor prescribes one for you?) Be sure you are using the right size cuff, if you have a larger arm- you may need to buy the larger cuff (about $10 more). Also--not to knock nurses.....but don't believe what they say when they measure your BP at the doctor's office--the nurses I have had have been so far off---its just so routine for them, they were not even close. Also when you first walk into the dr's office your BP will be higher because you have been moving around. My doctor checks mine b/c she doesn't feel the LPN that works for her is accurate! (I believe most nurses are accurate, I just got a lazy one).

Anyway, it has been wonderful for me--not to mention how much better I look from not retaining all that water (I think I carried it all in my face!) No more awful headaches either but I do have to be vigilant about taking the medicine--sometimes I have thought, I have lost weight and I don't need it anymore---wrong! I think I will get to that point, but I am so not there yet.

I am on 2 pills for high blood pressure. I can not take my bp accuratly in stores in one of those machines. It is not the right size cuff so I always get an inaccurate reading. I started with the high blood pressure when I was pregnant with my 3 yo and it never went down. It is very common in my family though also. I actually am out of pills so I havent had any for about 2 weeks and I can tell. I know its not healthy but I couldnt get into my new doctor until 3 weeks from today. I was out of refills so I didnt have a choice. Diet and excersise will help a lot also. My doctor also told me to watch sodium intake. She said that salting my food with table salt isnt so bad but to not eat processed foods that are high in sodium.