FYI...High Blood pressure | Arthritis Information

 

Categories for Blood Pressure Levels in Adults (in mmHg, or millimeters of mercury)

Category	Systolic (top number)		Diastolic (bottom number)
Normal	Less than 120	And	Less than 80
Prehypertension	120–139	Or	80–89
High blood pressure
Stage 1	140–159	Or	90–99
Stage 2	160 or higher	Or	100 or higher

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Hbp/HBP_WhatIs.html Lynn492009-04-28 17:21:39

when I was in alot of pain...... my BP was in the stage 1 level.

I am now borderline prehypertension...

I was at stage 1 and hovering near entering stage 2.

whoa... I'd be majorly concerned about that BP!!  gotta watch for heart attack, stroke, kidney failure.

what is "better now" ?

132/80 vs 159/89 - 92.  Whatever it was - something over 90 - I posted it here. Okay, I don't want to be nitpicky but 120/80 is not "normal."  That is still prehypertension....Because of a strong family history of heart problems, I try and keep my BP at around 116/75...Both of my docs call that "normal."

My doc says 120/80 is normal.  I read somewhere that they were going to update the chart you posted and the end effect would be more people on meds who don't need to be.  Pre- isn't hypertension.  I just perfer the less medications the better.

JMHO

Pip

I don't use meds to control my BP.  Diet and exercise do that just fine for me...... I only know what I've been told FOREVER~!~!  and that is 120/80 is bordering on BP issues... that is why I have concern..... Good for you Babs   I think that it is very important for people with RA to watch their BP and cholesteral.  The connection between inflammation and heart issues make this a huge issue for me. That and the fact that my father died of a massive heart attack when he was just 60.  He had RA and high blood pressure....

 

 

Lynn aka the grim reaper

 

Diet and exercise makes sense to me.  Adding meds and more meds when you haven't attempted to fix it on your own does not.  And I'm the first person who's going to get on meds for this...if exhausting all other options doesn't pan out. you have to work it naturally if at all possible.. Are you monitoring your blood pressure at home?  If not, it would be prudent to get a home BP monitor and use it on a regular basis since your numbers are on the borderline. And another thing - it's a common myth that once someone starts taking BP meds they have to take them for the rest of their lives.  Not true in the least.  If you correct the problems that caused the high BP, then you can (and should!) most certainly be taken off the BP meds. Since most HPB problems are related to potassium and magnesium uptake, I think I would eventually get off as I heal more.  I didn't have HBP prior to diagnosis.  My doc suggested getting the home kit and I've agreed.  Wrote it down - omnicron  or something like that.  I just find it interesting that when I flared so did my BP and when I stopped supps that controlled my BP, so did my BP rise. [QUOTE=Pip!]Since most HPB problems are related to potassium and magnesium uptake, I think I would eventually get off as I heal more.  I didn't have HBP prior to diagnosis.  My doc suggested getting the home kit and I've agreed.  Wrote it down - omnicron  or something like that.  I just find it interesting that when I flared so did my BP and when I stopped supps that controlled my BP, so did my BP rise. last week it was 103/64 stress WILL do that... I always had normal B/P until I took Mobic for an extended period ( 6 months +). Unfortunately, even when I stopped the anti-inflammatory, the B/P remained high thereafter. My PCP tols me this is a known side effect of those meds.  I started on a B/P med which controlled the B/P.  However, I recently had to go back on the Mobic, and voila -  the B/P is again too high.  I am now looking at having to increase the dose of my B/P med to get it back down to an acceptable number 

My BP problem is caused by NSAIDS as well.  I always had normal BP, but not anymore.   I take a double dose of Lisinop/HCTZ and atenolol and my BP is still borderline.  But I wouldn't be able to move if I didn't have my diclofenac.  I take 100 mgs. of Co-Q10 and calcium/magnesium supplements, and try to skip my diclofenac whenever I can to help.  What's a girl to do?

I went to my GP on Tuesday and my BP was 150/95 VERY high for me as normally I have 110/70.  I had been taking alopurinol for gout and just discovered it can cause high blood pressure as well as swelling.  My ankles and calves have been huge the last couple of weeks.  My face has also been very red at times and sometimes I get out of breath and I feel like I have a low grade fever.  I am taking a bp med called iruzid (hydrochlorothiazide and lizinopril) and feel a little better today and my ankles arent so swollen.  My Mom died of a heart attack at 58 so I worry and I will be visiting a cardiologist.I'm not denying that medication can cause HBP but saying rather, that most HBP can be regulated with proper understanding of how potassium, magnesium and calcium work in the cells and planning accordingly.
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