Hypertension

Hi Betsy, I don't know how to advise you. Remember that no one here is a doctor. I do take BP medication though as mine edged upward some time after my kids were born. Although 120/80 used to be "textbook normal" I think you'll read that some doctors are looking at different readings as normal for their patients and sometimes other factors are important, too. For example, people with diabetes (like me) need to have their BP monitored and kept normal. Blood pressure is affected by many things like being overweight, other medications and other health conditions and general health, even stress, so an attentive doctor will work with you on this.

I do know that if you need to lose weight, it will help bring BP lower. Regular, repetitive exercise like walking, biking, swimming, running, etc. will also help. Extra salt is the diet should be eliminated.

So, if I were you, I would have a very frank talk with your doctor and see you can do anything to help control your blood pressure naturally, but if you do need medication, then ask what kind of medication it is and what the effects might be. If you're getting really high readings, it's in your best interest to get it under control.

Betsy:

You need to make an appointment and discuss your concerns with your doctor, and not advice from Dr. Google. Your doctor may tell you to try and control through the methods that the other posters have given you. You should not worry about taking medication, if necessary, in your 50's - base it on necessity and not age.

Sharon

A nurse practitioner can order lab tests. If you haven't had an annual physical this year or if it's been about six month, the NP can order some lab tests if your insurance allows. There are certain ones which are standard (and informative) according to age and sex but definitely I would think should include thyroid, liver and kidney function as well as blood sugar. There are blood sugar fasting and non-fasting tests. I am on a BP medication called an ACE inhibitor which controls my blood pressure and 'protects' my kidneys because I am diabetic. If you haven't had a lab work-up in the past year, please ask about this.

Taking medication for blood pressure is important if it's too high. However, if it's borderline and if your health practitioner thinks you can make some life changes to bring it down, then it might be worth a try. In any case, I would suggest that you buy a home blood pressure machine and keep a record. Maybe it's higher in the doctor's office. Or not.

Good luck and good health! Be informed!

Betsy, I checked the Mayo Clinic's website because recently they lowered the numbers on blood pressure. Use to anything 140/90 or higher was considered high. Now they have lowered it to 120/80. You may want to go to the Mayo's website because I thought I saw a section where they broke it down by age groups. My drs would love it if I could stay at 120/80. I have been treating it since I was 28 years old. I am from the bad gene pool from both parents. For the first time in years my cholesterol came back good.

Stress & anxiety can cause BP to go up. I suggest taking your readings just twice a day unless you have been instructed otherwise. You can average your numbers out over a 7 day period of time to get a feel for an average unless you are having big spikes. Take care.

Betsey, make no mistake, I am not a dr but if your numbers are 140/90 or higher consistently for a week, get your script filled. If you can make some changes that will help lower it, then there is a really good chance you may not have to stay on BP meds. Try to reduce the stress level, I know it can be hard to do at times, lol.