BP Report scares me

[truehelp]

I have been diagnosed to be having High BP and an ECG test was carried out and according to the doctor, the result showed  little and no cause for alarm but the fact still is that I am having high BP.hence I want to use this means to ask anyone that knows what should been done to lower it  cos it,s giving me concern.The BP is 150/89 Hg.Though, I hardly eat fruitss and exercise often if this will help in your reply.... Something I do have chest burns or pain....

Thanks.

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

High blood pressure is usually pretty easy to treat.
First line agents are often diuretics or ACE inhibitors -- both of which are very cheap.
The most common cause for high blood pressure is genetics.  Many people start having in their 30's and the incidence increases with age.

High blood pressure is called the "silent killer," because it often goes unrecognized and without symptoms while it slowly does damage to your blood vessels.  The key is finding medications that decrease your blood pressure with few symptoms.  A good internist should be able to help.  Ask for generic medications --- they work just as well.

[kat4]

truehelp,

Your doctor should have told you some stuff to help.  I also had a high blood pressure warning and will be seeing my doctor in a couple of weeks, so I haven't talked to him yet, but I know there are medicines (if "lifestyle"changes aren't enough.)

You should definitely talk to your doctor about the chest pains before starting exercise, though.  So he can figure out what they are - heart related or acid indigestion, or whatever.

Just from looking on the web, I found that losing weight if you are overweight and moderate exercise are both supposed to help lower BP.  The Mayo Clinic website has some other suggestions at
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