Blood Pressure

[lou123]

Anyone heren with borderlind HBP who got a reduction when switching to the larger cuff ? I know the smaller cuff can give high readings, my arms are only 17 1/2 inches (I'm 5 foot 8 before I get any wise cracks, lol) but I know that's too big for the regular cuff. Any specific size cuff to ask for ?


Now for anyone who is on BP meds, what is the best to take and the lowest dosage that works ?

Thanks

[Phreezer]

Well, if you're having your blood pressure taken by a nurse or Dr. They should know which size cuff to use so that shouldnt' be an issue. If you're buying one for your own use I advise you go with a large or extra large. The cuff should say on the box how large of an arm it will do.

Lastly, BP meds depend wholely on the person taking them. Everyone is different and there are many many different classes of BP meds. Beta Blockers, Calcium Channel Blockers, ACE inhibitors, etc. Each one of these offers different effects in the body on how they treat BP and differnet side effects ranging from person to person. If you are concerned about your BP you should go to your Dr and discuss a treatment option. If I were you I'd try to figure out a way to do it without meds. BUT if you have to go one I advise you ask about ACE Inhibitors as these have the lest side effects.

You can simply do a google search on Hypertension and do a little reading to find out more.

Originally Posted by lou123

Anyone heren with borderlind HBP who got a reduction when switching to the larger cuff ? I know the smaller cuff can give high readings, my arms are only 17 1/2 inches (I'm 5 foot 8 before I get any wise cracks, lol) but I know that's too big for the regular cuff. Any specific size cuff to ask for ?


Now for anyone who is on BP meds, what is the best to take and the lowest dosage that works ?

Thanks

[lou123]

Thanks Phreezer.

You would be surprised at what Dr's and nurses do. I have only met one who didn't think the larger cuff was a waste of time.

I am going to try to lower it myself by cutting caffeine, salt, alcohol and upping the cardio.

[terrorizer2]

High blood pressure runs in my family on my mother's side.My mum died aged 57 due to blood pressure and diabetes problems,and her mum died aged 52 from the same problems.Guess that gives me about 15 more years LOL!!.I currently take 20mg's of lisinopril a day on prescription and my blood pressure is about 135/90.That is an off cycle reading.On cycle would be higher.

[Big_paul]

I've been takening meds for high bp for a number of years. When I go in they always use the large cuff. If you have the same problem you should ask your doc. I've had a couple of different opinions from nurses.

[Conciliator]

Originally Posted by lou123

Thanks Phreezer.

You would be surprised at what Dr's and nurses do. I have only met one who didn't think the larger cuff was a waste of time.

I am going to try to lower it myself by cutting caffeine, salt, alcohol and upping the cardio.

You might try adding supplemental magnesium in a highly bioavailable chelated from, like malate, aspartate, or citrate. Magnesium is nature's calcium channel blocker.

Calcium and magnesium compete with each other for absoption (Ca will block Mg absoption in the gut), so it wouldn't be a bad idea to supplement with Mg considering how much milk (and hence calcium) a lot of us drink.

[lou123]

Originally Posted by terrorizer2

High blood pressure runs in my family on my mother's side.My mum died aged 57 due to blood pressure and diabetes problems,and her mum died aged 52 from the same problems.Guess that gives me about 15 more years LOL!!.I currently take 20mg's of lisinopril a day on prescription and my blood pressure is about 135/90.That is an off cycle reading.On cycle would be higher.

Are you having and side effects from the Lisinpril ? Is that an Ace inhibitor ?

[terrorizer2]

yes it is an ACE inhibitor.the main side effects for me are a headache and also some tiredness at work.i am quite happy with this drug overall.