Is your high blood pressure under control?

@Auntylou (4264)
Oxford, England
February 6, 2016 11:01am CST
I heard this week that ten percent of people diagnosed with high blood pressure are actually suffering from Conn's syndrome.This is caused by a hormone imbalance . Blood pressure either goes up because vessels are blocked or because the amount of salt water going round the body has increased. Severe headaches, palpitations, young onset cases, or those who have had no success with multiple drugs suggest that other than normal causes. This is caused by the adrenal gland causing the kidneys to hold more salt. If Conn's syndrome is diagnosed there is a long used drug which will cure the situation. It is also possible that if only one of the adrenal glands is involved , it can be removed surgically and the patient able to live drug free. However the treatment works best with those who have not had the hypertension for a long time so not all can be cured. If you are in the UK you can read more on the BBC website.
How low should you go when treating blood pressure? And why is palm oil in so many foods?
28 people like this
27 responses
@mom210 (9115)
• United States
6 Feb 16
I had terrible blood pressure problems, I was 198/123 at a doc apt and they would not let me leave until they gave me a pill to get it down. I refused to take the pills after but made diet changes and am doing much better now. It is tough to do without meds though. I had no idea before this apt that I had issues.
4 people like this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
7 Feb 16
@mom You are lucky you had a doctors appointment. When I first found out I had high blood pressure it was 220/110. That sounds like yours. I had 2 small kids then and I use to get bad headaches. He did give me medicine but I am now on the kick of wanting to eat right and get off all meds. I know I can do it. It just takes time and a true commitment.
4 people like this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
9 Feb 16
@Auntylou I remember mine did too but that was so long ago I never thought of it until you just mentioned it. Thanks for reminding me.
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@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
9 Feb 16
My blood pressure got high when I was pregnant, but recovered after thanks be
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@DianneN (247186)
• United States
6 Feb 16
Mine has been elevated a bit, but it has been perfect with a low dose med.
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@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
7 Feb 16
@DianneN That is good, at least you see your meds are working.
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@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
9 Feb 16
@Auntylou You are correct there. It is, when you have a heavy dosage of meds to correct the issues that is when you should worry.
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@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
9 Feb 16
If it is just a low dose then that is very good
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@amadeo (111938)
• United States
6 Feb 16
I am very under control on mine.
4 people like this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
6 Feb 16
@amadeo That is very good. Keep up the good work.
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@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
6 Feb 16
Again, this is good to hear
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@softbabe44 (5816)
• Vancouver, Washington
6 Feb 16
Mine gets high if I'm sick.
3 people like this
• Vancouver, Washington
8 Feb 16
@ramapo17 Just got to take the medicine when your suppose to and don't stop taking them unless the dr tells you to.
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@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
7 Feb 16
@softbabe I think most people get high blood pressure when they get sick or get hurt. Just make sure to read all the prescriptions you take and don't mix any unless the doctor says it is okay.
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@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
9 Feb 16
@softbabe44 I used to have to get to the doctor's early so as not to get very high readings. Blood pressure can vary through the day and depending on circumstances, but if it were to keep reading high, then that is a cause from concern
3 people like this
• United States
6 Feb 16
With some low dose medication my blood pressure is under control.
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@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
6 Feb 16
That is brilliant.
2 people like this
• United States
6 Feb 16
@ramapo17 I would love to get off my bp meds too. I should try your apple cider vinegar and of course I could stand to lose weight too
4 people like this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
6 Feb 16
@Marilynda Good for you. I have had high blood pressure for so many years but lately I have it under control for almost a year now but I do take medication and my apple cider vinegar and getting my weight down. Maybe one day I won't need all the meds.
3 people like this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
6 Feb 16
My hubby and I both have high blood pressure. But we keep it under control with medication. I wonder if we are on the wrong track @auntylou
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@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
7 Feb 16
@Gabugs I would tell you what I tell other people, take your readings every day or at least a few times a week and keep a record of it. You should try the apple cider vinegar too. I wish someone told me about this years ago. Bring your doctor your notes on the days you took the readings so he can go over them with you and advise you on any changes. Good luck.
3 people like this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
7 Feb 16
@Gabugs You are welcome and when you do go to the doctors let us know how you both did. We will be waiting.
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@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
7 Feb 16
@ramapo17 Thank you so very much for your valuable advice. Will try to give it a shot.
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@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
7 Feb 16
I have a new doctor. She thinks my blood pressure is high. I am usually chatting away with the nurse while she measures it. If I am quiet it is low. I will take my cuff from home and show her how the numbers run at home. However, my mom had what was considered low to normal blood pressure and still had strokes.
3 people like this
@Shavkat (140102)
• Philippines
7 Feb 16
@GardenGerty Are they using digital device for checking your blood pressure?If it is, I think it is not accurate.
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@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
7 Feb 16
@GardenGerty I am surprised the doctor lets you talk when you are getting the blood pressure reading done. Like you said, it goes up when you are talking.
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@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
7 Feb 16
@Shavkat I am pretty sure the readings in the doctors offices are right. Not sure if they are electric or not but mine at home is. The ones in the office are not digital, it is the old fashioned one that we can see the meter going down. Whenever I go to the doctors I bring my machine and compare mine and theirs.
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@Shavkat (140102)
• Philippines
7 Feb 16
I think I am fit as a fiddle. I am not a hypertensive person. But I tried to consider doing some exercises and eat a balance diet.
3 people like this
@Shavkat (140102)
• Philippines
7 Feb 16
@ramapo17 I do agree on that my dear friend. But some, it doesn't work that way. It can also differ from what kind of lifestyles they are in.
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@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
7 Feb 16
@Shavkat Good for you. You look young too so that can be a big part of it. Usually when you are young you are more active and that helps keep the blood pressure down.
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@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
7 Feb 16
@Shavkat You are right there. One can be active but be into different things that can change the way ones body works.
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@LadyDuck (471969)
• Switzerland
7 Feb 16
I have low blood pressure, it always range in 110/60, no problems for me.
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@LadyDuck (471969)
• Switzerland
13 Feb 16
@Auntylou I try to have a healthy diet, my only sin are the pastries, but I only eat something on Saturday OR Sunday.
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@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
12 Feb 16
I imagine you as slender and healthy,@LadyDuck so this does not surprise me!
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@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
13 Feb 16
@LadyDuck You are very self controlled!
2 people like this
• United States
7 Feb 16
I am on meds, but my blood pressure is always elevated, no matter what I do
2 people like this
• United States
8 Feb 16
@ramapo17 , I have to go back soon for lab work, and they have to recheck my leg, so I will mention it again.
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@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
9 Feb 16
@CookieMonster46 What did you do to your leg? I don't remember seeing a post about that?
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@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
7 Feb 16
@CookieMonster In your case I would go for a check up and insist on the doctor changing your medication if you have been on it awhile. Sometimes all we have to do is get a slight change in dosage or meds and things will be better. Love your name here.
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@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
6 Feb 16
My blood pressure tends to be low.
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@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
6 Feb 16
@ramapo17 I just need to be very careful to lie down after I've had a really hot bath or my head spins. @Auntylou - I didn't know that might be the cause of my cold paws.
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@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
6 Feb 16
@boiboing Isn't that harder to control than high blood pressure. I know my daughter had it and I remember her passing out in church one day many years ago.
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@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
6 Feb 16
My sister's too and she has cold hands as a result. Mine is normal at last count
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@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
6 Feb 16
For years I have had high blood pressure. I have been on medication for this but it is just in the last year that I am able to keep it down to normal. Being retired I do a lot of reading here on the computer and I found out that taking apple cider vinegar daily can lower high blood pressure. The apple cider vinegar has to be the "raw unfiltered" kind. In this past year mine has gone down so much and I swear by it. I have a doctors appointment next week and I can't wait for the doctor to see my great results. For many uses of "unfiltered apple cider vinegar" search it online and you will be amazed. Only one thing you should know before taking this, make sure to take it with some fluid as it can ruin the enamel on your teeth if you get to much on them.
3 people like this
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
6 Feb 16
I have heard that apple cider vinegar is good, though I could not say for exactly what. Glad your b/p is down anyway
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@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
6 Feb 16
@Auntylou look it up one day on line and there are so many different things that apple cider vinegar is good for. It is amazing.
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@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
9 Feb 16
@ramapo17 I will take your advice! Thanks
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@JudyEv (341743)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Feb 16
Luckily I don't have blood pressure problems. Vince is on medication though.
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@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
7 Feb 16
@JudyEv I am glad to hear that you don't have blood pressure issues.
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@AnneEJ (4917)
• Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec
6 Feb 16
Thanks for sharing. I have been taking medication for years and keep my blood pressure under control.
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@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
6 Feb 16
@AnneEJ So many different issues and so many different medications. Drives me crazy sometimes.
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@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
7 Feb 16
At one time my blood pressure was high and I was on medication for it but now as time has gone by my blood pressure tends to be low.
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@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
12 Feb 16
@Marcyaz this is the way to go !
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
7 Feb 16
It is not a life-threatening condition as long as the patients listen to their doctors, and take medication regularly Most people fear conditions that do not have cure.
2 people like this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
24 May 16
@Auntylou Yes, the best is that the patient gets a very good specialist who can order the right test.
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
12 Feb 16
If blood pressure is consistently high and does not respond to medications, then other causes can be sought
2 people like this
@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
7 Feb 16
I have had high blood pressure ever since I went through menopause at age 50. I keep it under control for a while, then I guess my body gets used to the medication and the doctor has to change it.
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@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
9 Feb 16
@Auntylou I do have to change or up the dosage on my meds sometimes so if it continues, I will ask my doctor about it.
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@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
9 Feb 16
@simone10, if the meds are not working, it might be worth getting your adrenal glands checked
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@moffittjc (121656)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Feb 16
Thankfully, I've always had great blood pressure readings, and even better readings on my pulse. My doctor always tells me I have the readings of a marathon runner, even though I don't do much running! I guess I was blessed with good genes in that regard.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121656)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Feb 16
@Auntylou Thanks! I've had other health issues to deal with (the bad part of growing old), but at least my ticker seems to be working well!
2 people like this
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
10 Feb 16
Lucky you. @moffitjc , may your good health continues
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Feb 16
Thankfully I don't have high blood pressure. My husband does however he doesn't have those symptoms you mentioned, but I'm going to look at the article anyway.
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@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
7 Feb 16
@fishtiger good for you. It is best to look at things before it I to late.
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@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Feb 16
@ramapo17 wow long but informative article.
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@Angel_15 (670)
• Manila, Philippines
7 Feb 16
Lucky for me I have never had any problem with my blood pressure even though I'm a little overweight.
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@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
12 Feb 16
I am not sure when I last was checked,but I know it was fine. Will ask for a physical later this year
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@Angel_15 (670)
• Manila, Philippines
13 Feb 16
@Auntylou I will be having my annual physical exam soon. I hope it turns out OK.
1 person likes this