High blood pressure !

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

Went today for my MOT to the doctors and when the nurse tested me my usual blood pressure came in at 180 over 70 I had to see a real doctor and now I have a daily tablet to take. what is this world coming too except when I had a fractured skull and fractured patella ( biking ) I haven't had much wrong with me and only 69 years old.

David

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

Snap I have just started a stronger Bisoprolol fumarate 5mg to lower my pump a bit.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Don’t worry too much … The NHS is wonderful, and the technology [should you ever need it] is amazing:

Since 2016 : I’ve had a quadruple ‘Coronary Artery Bypass Graft’ a 2-wire pacemaker and an upgrade to the fancy 3-wire job that does ‘Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy’.

Had that super device checked last week … It’s working perfectly and the battery is expected to last another nine years.

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 29/01/2020 00:21:03

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Back in the 60s and 70s my various rellys had various ticker issues from smoking and whatever but since the 1980s they've got really good drugs which can totally relieve heart issues without any major side effects

Even my younger bruvver has been on something for at least 5 years

All you've got to do is take as prescribed and it's amazing how effective they are

My mums pal stopped taking her ticker medicine and was gone in 10 days

[FalcoParticipant @falco]

Hi David,

Same as that, I'm on my daily dose of smarties as well. You'll find it is not a big deal and much better than the alternative outcome!

So back to enjoying yourself in the workshop!

John

[Nick M0NPHParticipant @nickm0nph]

Yes same as been on them since i was 45 now 62 so they work ! and you just get used to them

and as above its better than the alternative

Nick

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Don’t worry too much … The NHS is wonderful, and the technology [should you ever need it] is amazing:

True. I had a quad bypass ten years ago.

My history – never smoked, never overweight, blood pressure normal, cholesterol low, always fit, but a heart attack (which I walked around with for three months before going to the doctor) at 61. But family history on Mum’s side.

”Top dog” at Papworth was my surgeon and while attending for preliminary checks, his registrar asked if I would accept an earlier op if a space became available. This was 16:30 on Tuesday. I replied “Yes, OK” and he said ‘Friday”. Admitted Thursday at 11:00, op Friday morning at 08:30. They only decided at 20:30 on Thursday evening that I didn’t need open heart surgery.

Put in a side ward after the op. Part of the crash team attended on one night and the whole lot the next – along with the surgeon’s registrar at around 02:30 in the morning! Not good, I was thinking and it was my birthday! Later, had more people round my bed than I could count.

Head of the crash team watched my vital signs for an hour while he administered a huge dose of Potassium and then I slowly started to improve. Three days of 150 -170 heart-rate was not fun, but the rate dropped and my surgeon asked ME if he should prescribe warfarin and send me home. I light-heartedly told him he was the ——— expert and he allowed me home with the warfarin.

I had to take a letter for my local hospital – to monitor if my collapsed lung was still expanding properly. It was then that I realised why they had been X-raying me so regularly in hospital.

When rehab exercises started at the local hospital the fellow in charge kept telling me to slow down as my heart was up around the 150 mark. I kept telling him I wouldn't be exercising at all if I slowed down. They used to keep me behind for up to an hour, until my heart-rate subsided. I then walked home with it at 140-150bpm!

Not a good experience, but I’m still around. One heart tablet, minimum statin (cholesterol is plus or minus two), that aspirin (responsible for the duodenal ulcers last year?) plus the pill for ulcer prevention each day is not onerous.

Better than the alternative, is how I see it. So hospitals good, DHSS lousy.

My wife has had more her fair share of hospital treatments over the years – survived an horrific RTA (drunk driver overtaking on a blind bend and head-on collision, resulting in a 3 month hospital stay -quite a lot in intensive care)), a botched gall bladder op (an extra month in hospital later) and cancer treatment in 2018 which seemed to affect her heart (yet another cardiac app. on Friday.)

We wouldn’t be here without the superb hospital care we’ve received. I’m quite sure of that

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

Due to a trapped nerve in L4/5 I went to the Dr. said, 'Back pain' and his eyes glazed over. Then turned and wanted to take my blood pressure, I was in severe pain and could hardly walk. It was of course, 'Up'. gave me Ramapril.

No mention at all of Ramapril cough nor to reduce intake of food high in Potassium. For some months I happily chewed a banana for breakfast until I checked on the Ramapril and found out about the Potassium intake.

Also I use Formoteral which reduces the transfer of fluid in the lung, but, Ramapril breaks down and gives Nitric Dioxide which is a lung irritant. Yes. the Ramapril cough syndrome.

I have now been waiting 8 months for pain relief appt. Anytime now I hope. This will mean Steroid inj. into three Lumbar pads plus a pain killer. Not looking forward to that I must say. Warned it could be 3 to 4 hours session.

There are a some heart pills that you cannot eat Grapefruit as it kills the heart pill working.

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

And here's me about to book in to see GP because I don't feel as lively as usual. It is most likely overwork trying to look after two daughters properties as well as my own and time in the workshop. At 71 maybe time is catching up with me ? Prostate OP 7 years ago and just one tablet a day since then, never smoked or overweight.

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Welcome to the club David! Us old gits must stick together.

Russell

[RMAParticipant @rma]

Posted by David George 1 on 28/01/2020 23:16:16:

Went today for my MOT to the doctors and when the nurse tested me my usual blood pressure came in at 180 over 70 I had to see a real doctor and now I have a daily tablet to take. what is this world coming too except when I had a fractured skull and fractured patella ( biking ) I haven't had much wrong with me and only 69 years old.

David

That's a rapid decision made after one pressure test! I would have thought the Doctor would have put you on a 24 monitor to get a better picture. Too many pills these days. True, you might need them, but I would want a better test than you had. I monitor mine at home on a regular basis, fairly accurate I'm told and it does give you a trend should there be anything wrong. I'd go back and challenge it.

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

At the age of 45 I was diagnosed with type two diabeties and was put on a course of tablets, I also suffered from high blood presure which included more tablets, in 2014/15 I developed a condition called Charcot foot, Diabetic related, which meant eight months off work unable to walk and drive, I lost control of my Diabeties which meant I had to start injecting insulin and today at the age of 66 I now take 13 tablets for various issues and inject three times a day insulin and another drug. you just get into a routine twice a day and remember without them I would be very poorly.

Martin P

[Paul MParticipant @paulm98238]

Was put on Ramapril some years ago as doctor was concerned about my blood pressure (stressful occupation).
I decided to keep track of my blood pressure myself, entering monthly readings on a spreadsheet and plotting a trend line.

After having a knee operation I had to go to the gym to exercise and strengthen my leg muscles.
I noticed my blood pressure was quite low on a regular basis so asked the doctor to come off the pills. The doctor had no objections.
My blood pressure is ok at present without any pills and I continue to keep a monthly reading.

In my case I am sure it was life style. Lack of exercise and a stressful job. What has changed ? I exercise at a gym and by walking my dog, not getting stressed, keeping my weight down and most importantly relaxing in my workshop building my first steam engine.

If my blood pressure starts to creep up again I will consider taking pills again.

[colin branniganParticipant @colinbrannigan54160]

Five years ago last Monday and just short of my 65th birthday I suffered (what I know to have been) a heart attack in work and blue lights took me to hospital, in through the back door straight into the Lab and they put three stents in my knackered arteries and I am still here to tell the tale.

I take my pills like a good boy and I stopped smoking saving me £3.5k a year, I am now retired and enjoy fettling in the workshop or riding my twenty odd bikes, but not at the same time.

Life is good so look after yourselves everyone.

Colin

[Matt HarringtonParticipant @mattharrington87221]

Posted by Clive Hartland on 29/01/2020 07:50:31:

No mention at all of Ramapril cough nor to reduce intake of food high in Potassium. For some months I happily chewed a banana for breakfast until I checked on the Ramapril and found out about the Potassium intake.

Clive, That is interesting as my Doc has never mentioned about potassium with Ramapril medication. Off to google it now….

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

A friend of mine has had more bi-passes than the N 11 and is still arsing around at 87, so there is still hope for us all !!

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by RMA on 29/01/2020 08:31:17:

Posted by David George 1 on 28/01/2020 23:16:16:

Went today for my MOT to the doctors and when the nurse tested me my usual blood pressure came in at 180 over 70 I had to see a real doctor and now I have a daily tablet to take. […]

That's a rapid decision made after one pressure test! I would have thought the Doctor would have put you on a 24 monitor to get a better picture. Too many pills these days. True, you might need them, but […]

.

I must agree with RMA

I am not medically qualified, but … To the best of my understanding:

Systolic pressure [your 180] is ‘designed’ to vary … 180 is not unreasonable [as a ‘white coat’ reaction, or a response to exertion] and should not be considered diagnostic unless it is sustained.

Diastolic pressure [your 70] is a more reliable indicator of arterial restrictions.

Do some background reading, David … Then request a 24hour monitor and a review.

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 29/01/2020 09:51:48

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @peterg-shaw75338]

Five years ago I too ended up having two Stents plus six pills after a mild heart attack. And that was after something like 25 years of being on gradually increasing dosages to keep the BP under 150 (don't remember the lower number). Today I'm around 130-140 over 65 to 70 with a resting pulse rate of between 60 & 70.

Interesting experience though, other than feeling weak prior to the heart attack I had nothing. The heart attack itself didn't cause me any pain or whatever. But once told I'd had it, I sort of went into a relaxed state, an OK, it's happened, now what? Except that as the Cardiac Rehabitaion nurse said, the emotions were all over the place especially when it came for the Angioplasty & Stent insertions.

Now on 6 pills a day and been ok ever since.

But, and I don't know which is worse, middle of last year I went to the GP with a cough that wouldn't go away – and ended up being diagnosed with lung cancer, and placed on a pill form of chemotherapy, and now having a set of side-effects to cope with.

On reflection I think the cancer is the worst.

Still musn't complain, now in my late-70's, had a reasonable life, got three children and four lovely grandchildren, had (much to my surprise) articles published in MEW, spent 50 years singing in choirs (until hearing problems stopped that), and so on. Yes, I've much to be thankful for.

Peter G. Shaw

[JAParticipant @ja]

I was put on to water tablets (Bendroflumethiazde) about 25 years ago and beta blockers (Atenolol) two years later to control my high blood pressure.

I was found to have a low heart rate, about 50, after nearly fainting in the local supermarket a year and half ago and was immediately taken off Atenolol without being given a replacement drug. This made no difference to my blood pressure.

Do doctors like prescribing pills or do we expect them to do so?

JA

[DalboyParticipant @dalboy]

Reading this thread just makes us all aware of what can happen to us as human beings. having gone through many hiccups myself.

All I can say is that we all can be grateful to still be here and able to continue our respected hobbies and enjoying doing them

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

My best wishes to all of you coping with various diseases, or supporting affected family members. I hope for the best outcomes.

I've been on lisinopril for several years. I was over 190/100, and my grandfather died of a stroke at about my age and both my mum and dad had high BP (controlled).

At my last test I was inside the healthy range top and bottom. No side effects that I have noticed* so perhaps worth asking your doctor if you can try a different pill is the one you are on causes issues.

Neil

*Actually there was one big benefit, now I can sleep all night without having to get up for a wee with a full bladder at 3 a.m.

[Stuart BridgerParticipant @stuartbridger82290]

I would get another GP appointment and ask for a risk assessment. They take in a number of factors BP, diabetes, weight, height, chloresterol level, smoking habits, age, gender, etc. The output is a percentage chance of heart attack or stroke in the next n years. Then can re-run the assessment with and without tablets and you may find the difference is minimal. You can then come to a more qualified joint decision

[GeorgineerParticipant @georgineer]

Me too! Christmas 2018 at the age of 68 I became very short of breath, GP did an ECG and referred me to the chest pain clinic, I fainted in the clinic (too hot and descriptions too graphic for my tender ears), was admitted as an emergency, had two stents fitted and was home two days later with a basket of pills wondering what on earth had happened. No warnings, no known risk factors. The only reason I can come up with is the residual stress from a number of years as a school teacher working for an incompetent and vindictive head.

I did the cardiac rehab course – hated it but the staff were brilliant – I'm now fitter than I've been for years and still wondering what on earth happened.

Nick, you say it's better than the alternative. I used to say so too, until somebody challenged me and asked "How do you know? Have you tried the alternative?" I didn't have an answer, so I've stopped saying it!

George B.

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

Trying to see a GP here is almosta joke..choice between 6 week wait ater having to discuss things via phone with assorted practice personnel or go wait for many hours in a room full of infectious disease…that and having to go every month to collect more pills and run the gauntlet of this weeks infection…

Grapefruit increases the stickyness of platelets and therefore increases the risk of clots where blood flow is sluggish or pooling. Interestingly grape seed has the opposite effect.

Statistical causes of hypertension were different in my patients but at least we made an attempt to find which cause it was rather than just 'treating' the signs.

Side effects of pills should't be ignored. Like many Im on tabs for benign prostate enlargement. Some three years ago the guys I used to row with decided on a 50th anniversary row-over.. we all strated plugging away at rowing machines rather than look daft. At that tiem I could beat them all since i was the youngest of us old farts. Some of us have kept up using the rowing machines but I'm currently falling behind on performance – the bloody pills have a known side effect of muscle weakness. To make up for that I've increased gym attendance to 5-6 times weekly alternating with heavy weight sessions and the rowing machine and more care about diet.

10K on a rowing machine is seriously tedious – what I could have done under 35mins those 50yrs ago now takes 45 mins. A bluetooth headset and a movie on the mobile phone makes it tolerable…..But I do have to preload with analgesics due to back problems and stretch out for an hour afterwards. But its excercise I can do Jogging for instance causes lumbar compression and is impossible for me.

pgk

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