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Out of interest...

LindsayJane

Well-Known Member
Messages
609
Location
Taunton
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Housework - hate housework with a passion - and rude people.
What does everyone do to keep blood pressure under control? I'm having to monitor mine in advance of my first ever review and it is slightly elevated. I've read up on how to use diet and life style to reduce blood pressure and, short of eating low-fat produce (which I don't want to do) I can't really change anything. Any one got any suggestions?
 
I would think that losing weight is one of the biggest "lifestyle"changes anyone could make that may help BP.

I can't see what eating low-fat would do, as the amount of fat you eat should have no effect on your blood pressure

Of course Hypertension has numerous causes, and it is really finding out what is the root cause that will help the most.
 
I have been trying to do low carb since the early 1970s with opposition from my doctors, but one of my wicked pleasures has been the expression on the faces of drs and nurses when taking my blood pressure.
They have even gone to get another device as theirs is clearly broken. They grab the cuff and yank it tight , pinching my skin, in order to get the readings they expect.
I'd really not be at all concerned about a slightly elevated blood pressure, just try not to worry - as that can cause the problem in the first place. Relax and think of lamb chops and bewildered nurses as your pulse rate and breathing slow, relax and contemplate berries and cream for dessert.
 
Hi, @britishpub. Thank you for your input. I suppose it's just a question of carrying on and waiting for the medical professionals to give me some answers. I'm concerned about taking meds though. Don't want to do that if I can avoind it.
 
Geat reply - thank you so much! I saw my DN yesterday and told her about my new diet LCHF regime and she was all for it, which surprised me somewhat! I have my desmond day tomorrow and am interested to see how they react!
 
I think that I have been unlucky in my doctors and nurses, or perhaps their training.
Thankfully I got involved in the provision of meal replacements in sachets for the Cambridge diet way back, which complimented my thoughts on diet formed during my education, but I have always been bewildered by just about every aspect of 'dieting' for weightloss.
I do cherish the thought that one day I'll be asked for advice on control by diet by a dr or nurse - but the shock will probably kill me on the spot.
 
You would think, wouldn't you that in the light of such success and the obvious logic of restricting carbs to improve health, that some professional eyes might be opened. Is it cynical of me to think they may well be trying to keep us within diabetic range so that they can still prescribe meds and therefore earn a bit of dosh? And I'm with you about 'dieting'. It never works because it's temporary and dieters inevitably go back to old habits when the diet has run its course. This, for me is a change of diet for life not a temporary fix.
 
I have a blood pressure monitor. I use it quite a lot. I have high blood pressure and take medicine for it. I have also had levels of diabetes and Prediabetes.

By eating a lower carb higher fat diet I have reduced my blood sugar levels and brought down my blood pressure. Raised blood pressure and diabetes seem to go hand in glove with me at least.

Edited for correction.
 
I really do believe that sometimes so called 'high blood pressure' is a bit like so called 'high cholesterol', someone has decided upon two numbers it should be between and if it's not then it's classed as abnormal. I am slim and fit and (apart from diabetes) as healthy as I have ever been and yet my cholesterol is 7 (HDL 2.45 & trigs 0.5) and my blood pressure anything between 130/90 down to 120/75 - ALWAYS. It is not my lifestyle, I think it is just my body, I don't see either figure as high but just as normal for me. Don't get me wrong, I am in awe of Doctors & Consultants and all the science behind all of it but they make no allowances for anybody outside of what somebody has deemed the 'norm', I guess they classify what's 'average' by looking to see what values most people fall between but we are all different.
 
When I was diagnosed Type 2 I was on two blood pressure meds and my BP was around 140/88, so not controlled. Since my type 2 diagnosis I have eaten low carb, not worried about fats or calories. As a result I have lost 6 1/2 stone, got my HbA1c to non diabetic levels and my BP is now around 124/74 but on only one med
So I don’t know if it’s the weight loss, the low carbing itself or the diabetes control or a combination of all three that brought my BP down.
 
bulkbiker said:
WOW!
Trig/HDL of 0.2.. I reckon that's the lowest I've ever heard of.. amazing.
Click to expand...

Well thank you kind Sir! The only thing they seem interested in though is the HDL of 4. 1. I've given up worrying about that having read all of the posts you and others have kindly provided and will continue to refuse statins.
 
How about a water pill? I know you say you don't wanna take meds but having high blood pressure and not taking them is sure fire trouble.
 
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