Ways to lower your blood pressure?

[chance]

Alright, I'm in a tight spot. Last Monday I go to the doctor for a cough that has been going on for about a week, and of course as soon as I walk in they take my vitals. Everything is good except my BP its 156/98, and when they recheck it later it's still high as crap. So the same day I take drastic actions, I cut my sodium down to 1500 mg a day and my calorie intake to 1800 a day plus no energy drinks, soda, alcohol or any other form of sugary drinks only water. I've started doing PT again seeing how I can go longer then 5 minutes without going into coughing fits.

My question is what other things can I do to drop it naturally that won't effect a physical I have to take in 2 months?

Thanks in advance

[Lionshare]

.

[Sdiver]

What's causing the coughing fits?
That could be a BIG reason why your BP is elevated.

When you cough, the diaphragm contracts sharply upwards, expelling air from the lungs. This decreases the pressure in the chest which rapidly fills with air again. This swing in pressure from full lungs, to empty, back to full again takes place over a second.

The heart is sitting right behind the left lung, on top of the diaphragm. It moves with the diaphragm. The pulsatile cough increases interthroacic, and hence intercardiac pressure increasing the blood pressure.

You're on the right track about decreasing your sodium and caffeine intake, as well as increasing you PT level, but do that (the PT) slowly so as not to bring on those "coughing fits."

But get that/those coughing fits checked ASAP.

[NurseTim]

D.ietary
A.pproches
to
S.top
H.ypertension diet, check it with your PCP.

Also breathing can effect your BP, try square breathing. Increase potassium rich foods as part of the D.A.S.H. Diet.

[JJ_BPK]

I have had BP problems on-n-off for 8 yrs, I'm 67, over weight, lots of arthritis that limits my mobility..

So, I'll give you what works for me.

DIET: (TS and the other epicureans will get sick reading this, maybe not)

• No processed foods
• Limit restaurants to twice time a month, or less
• Tell you friends not to salt the shiite out of their food when you're invited over
• Beau-coup Fresh or Fresh frozen GREEN Veggies
• No sauces or casseroles
• hi-fiber carbs, beans, breads, starches.
• Drink H2O (pint+) with all meals
• Read the food labels, there is salt in everything
• Start adding un-flavored fiber to drinks & meals, keeping the pipes flowing is good, Capish?

Until you have good numbers:

• Drop all caffeine drinks, and don't sub with de-caf
• Drop all Whisky, Beer, & Wine

Drugs: DO NOT 2ND GUESS YOUR DOC's.. Take exactly what your Doc prescribes, not more or less, and don't screw with timing. Don't wait weeks for the next visit to tell him you are having problems with a new prescription.

God bless'm, but some Doc's do drugs like a 13A canon cocker, load'm up and fire for effect. It took me almost 4 months to work out a scrip regiment that worked and didn't have a bunch of side affects. It is still a science...

And this still may not work..

A cardiologist and vascular specialist can help determine if your BP is ischemic based and you need a chopper..

Scarey?? You bet you sweet ass it is,, but most everything can be reversed and fixed if caught in time..

Prayers Out, Good Luck..

[x SF med]

It's going to sound facile and trite.... but.... on top of the dietary and prescription therapies... Get a Dog.

1. forces you to get exercise
2. Natural stress reducer
3. gives you something to focus on besides your normal routine
4. and the best thing..... dogs are fun.

my cardiologist suggested getting a dog.... and all of the above are true, but an 8 month old Chesapeake Bay Retriever can be a HANDFUL... got mine from another QP here on the board, she is a daughter of the infamous Chubbs.

I try to spend 2 hours a day just playing, and at least an hour a day on training.