Q: I’ve had a high blood pressure problem for years and cannot keep it under control. I take Diovan 320 mg 1 time/ day, atenolol 50 mg 2 times a day and diazepam to help but it still goes up to 165 over 95 and sometimes more, and then sometimes it bottoms out at 85 over 55. I’m so tired of taking medication, is there something I can get to help besides pills?
A: Regular exercise and maintaining a normal weight really help with blood pressure control. Many people don’t get enough exercise and eat too much. This is hard on the body. For tips on having a healthy heart click here. You also might want to consider trying the Resperate. It is a non-pill option that has been clinically proven to lower blood pressure.
(19 votes, average: 3.47 out of 5)
Loading ...
Loading ...
Isn’t it tragic that first they prescribe all this medication and when it doesn’t work they blame diet, exercise, and life style? How bout we stop paying drug companies to make us sick and try the healthy way in the beginning?
I agree!
I agree also.
I have come to the conclusion that one of my medications is making me feel worse. I continue to get these unusual skips or a strong throb – however it never happens at the doctors office and they don’ believe me.
So do I, agree!
I am SO sick of them using the “diet/overweight” line. MY BP has been high for years. I was overweight- of course the Dr suggested that might be the rreason. Well, I lost almost 80 lbs- now weigh 125-and my BP is higher than ever. So- the weight thing? A load of you-know-what… I think the truth is, most of the time they have no clue what is causing the high BP- that is why there are hundreds of different types of drugs, and the doc’s “try” different ones on you- hoping one will work. And if by some miracle it does, they have no idea why!
I totally agree. It is getting to the point, I hate going to the Dr. No matter what I do, my bp is still high!
AnitaS
I think most people want an easy way out…thinking taking drugs will do that and it seems a lot of times it doesn’t. Doctors often times do what a patient wants. My BP has increased with age and weight gain although I have always been over weight. I started taking medication about a year ago and it really hasn’t helped I also use the resparate exercise and have practically cute out salt but my BP is still not good. I am ready to stop taking the meds and just let it be. I might have a stroke but for right now I think I would feel better.
amen! It’s a shame that most doctors want to prescribe bp meds, instead of recommending other methods. It’s all about profits for the drugmakers, not helping people. There are many factors that contribute to high blood pressure as I found out. My BP is not perfect, but I am not on any meds, it is usually about 135/85, and I am working on lowering it more. These are the things I have done.
1. Lose Weight.
2. Exercise Regularly (every day). And if it just means walking that day it’s ok (you don’t have to do vigorous exercise every day).
3. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, no salty processed foods and drink 8-10 glasses of water a day.
4. Limit alcohol
5. Cut down on stress.
6. Deep breathing exercises.
7. Accupuncture and Chinese Herbs
8. Fish Oil, Cal-Mag, Vitamin C and D supplements
All these things have a small effect on bp, but when you do all of these things they add up. My bp was about 170/110 and I weighed 250 lbs. Now I am about 200 and my bp is regularly about 135/85. But no meds!
My blood pressure used to be 185/105
went on meds started to walk within
a mOonth I got it controlled I walk
4to5 miles 3 times a week or more
SOMETIMES I can do 8miles .Exercise
is the best medicine.I am 53 today.
And what you eat also comes into play.Fish,fruits,vegs,water,stay
away from gressy foods that will kill you.Yes its hard but if you hace the will power you can do it.
I agree with everything you said, Doug Mlyn. All that the doctors care about are drugs. And they represent the interests of the drug companies, not us.
Supplements work great. There is tons of information on supplements it’s just that the drug industry cannot make money on it and they don’t want you to know. The FDA is controlled by the drug industry. If you wnat info, Dr. Sherry Rogers, MD and volumes of research. I control my blood pressure with time release L-Arginine (Profusia by Thorne) 1000 mg 3 times per day and also 500 mg of Niacin non-flush time release by Carlson. I tke one in the morning and 1 at night.
Don’t let the FDA controlled medical profession blind you.
I have high blood pressure. Doctor insisted I take Metopolol twice a day. I did and it did not go down. I asked why it does not go down and he said that it only prevents it from spiking. So I bought a blood pressure monitor, monitored every 10 minutes and the readings were never the same, up and down. So I figured it out, I sit down and relax and take deep breath and bingo, blood pressure is down. During the day I practice deep breathing a lot and I am not taking these stupid pills. I eat right, watch my weight. But as we age we get excited easily and when that happens our blood pressure shoots up.
congrats ; maintain it. you have’nt mentioned your age; again what is the average BP at (a) mornings (b) evenings and how does the pulse rate compare?
I am presently 57 years old. I was on blood pressure medication for almost 10 years. A little over a year ago, I was introduced to a completely new approach to controlling my blood pressure. It addresses the problem instead of the symptoms. It is a program designed and endorsed by Johns Hopkins University. It is the most common sense and easy approach to which I have ever been introduced and is completely natural. I am now off all of my medications and haven’t felt this good for years. If you want to know more, I would be willing to share.
hi lee,
I am interested to know more about the John Hopkin process. Please let me have the details.
svraghavan
bombay, india
I am very interested in what you have to say. I am 56 and have been on meds for 10 years but still BP is to high.
Hello Lee:
I am interested in learning more.
Please share.
Thanks
Nikki
Would like to know how Lee got such good results. I do not like the side effects of the meds I take. Thanks!!!
leehelp me with the new approach to controlling my blood pressure i am too tired of taking meds that are full of side effects and then you have to take meds for the side effects,i know the doctors are in cAHORTS WITH THE DRUG COMPANY,i exercise eat right noy at all overwt. and cholesterol good,my doc saud it is me,so i am put on all kinds of meds.tell me please thanks monina
Lee, I would apreciate info on the john hopkin process. Thanks
I am interested in your answer to the BP problem. I’ve had it for years and am now on the Catapress patch and Bystalic and AZOR and Xanax. It is somewhat controlled (it used to go over 200/140 and now it’s running about 150/95. I am much improved but I’d like to do better. I have the Resperate and it requires lots of time. I walk about four times a week for one hour each time.
Lee,interested in your finding. My pressure is all over.Goes high then can bottom out. Meds have damaged my kidneys and I am really to the point along with the Dooctors of what to do. Thanks
How did you lower your BP? Thanks
Yes, I want to know more. Will you share or do you suggest us doing our own research and find the John Hopkins cure by ourselves.
Thanks
I am interested in learning more – Thanks!!
I hate taking meds, they make me feel light headed all the time, please let me know your secret…
Lee,
I am definitely interested as well n the John Hopkins program…
Thank You!!
Hi Lee;
I would so like to read the Johns
Hopkins report on maintaining blood
pressure without medications.
I’m retired and finally submitted to bp medication which I really do not like to take. Congrats to you
on acheiving a normal bp with this
program.
Please share any information that helped you lower your Blood Pressure naturally. I have been trying many different alternatives and nothing seems to work. I have tried medications and got off of them and do not want to go back on them.
I am interested to know about John Hopkins Program.
Thanks.
Kishor.
I so agree with you. It seems that being off meds are a much better solution. Meds may bring it down but you always have to change them. The side effects are worse (I think) then the disease. I hope there is some doctor somewhere trying to find something else. Did you have results with resperate or not. I may try.
B.B.
Please don’t give up. I have the same issues with blod pressurwe meds. I am now 53, with somewhat controlled blood pressure. Had a stroke at 46, paralyized on my left side, told I didn’t have much chance of living. still trying to get my strength back to normal on my left side. Strokes are no fun. By the way my bp when i stroked out was 212 over 161. Take care
Ron
dear sir,
please advice me my age is now 37 & my weight is nearly 85kg.my bp is now 160/100 iam taking pill concor 2.5mg daily one please suggest me how i control my bp
How about trying the herb Carditone? I got tired of taking the high blood pressure perscriptions & found out they were doing damage to kidneys so I researched other alternatives via the internet. 1 pill a day takes care of it and I hear it will correct the problem all together. Check it out! My Dr. went along with it as long as I monitored my blood pressure.
Good luck,
Lisa
I could not agree with you more, Jim. The drug companies are getting over like a fat rat. Primary prevention is the key to one’s overall health and well-being. Most health care providers aren’t taught prevention, only correction…..that’s there bread and butter. I hope that the drug companies will not be the only group that will benefit from healthcare reform.
Jim,
I have said that for many years now..You are so right…
Jim,
Yes sir! With Doctors in our family they are extremely hipocritic.
Only we know what we eat and some of us are allergic to certain meds that we do not know of and or about.
Most Doctors need to just step back and look at everything vice blaming someone, more times than not the Doctor is the ONLY one to blame.
I take those medications too. most recently I couldn’t get my diltiazem.I had a bad toothache and my bp wouldn’t go down either. I filled script and My bp is now in the normal range.Doc upped my dosage and it works great. I dont like taking meds either but it is going to keep me from dying I will take them. Yes diet and exercise is important,I think its a combination of things that make it all work well. Dont cry about taking meds it has demerits and merits. I dont like taking some many pills either but I have to to stay alive for now until something better comes along
The “wicked ” Drug companies are responsible for making available : antibiotics , insulin , immuno suppressives , vaccines etc. etc etc. all of which have not only saved lives but made life enjoyable for millions . Unlike ” natural ” remedies these products are fiercly monitored and tested for safety and efficacy before being released and there is a system for withdrawal should adverse reactions arise . Let us keep a balance shall we ? The pharma indusstry does not keep bears in cages for their bile , kill tigers for their body parts , slaughter rhinos for their horns and poison people as has been recently reported .
It also employs thousands of people worldwide , makes profits and pays taxes to everyone’s mutual benefit .
I agree that there is a place for drugs but to put people on them without trying other means first is criminal. Health care starts with us, in our kitchen. Lose weight, exercise, eat a DASH type diet should be the first prescription. I do admit that it seems alot of people I know are happy to be on drugs and continue to smoke/drink/not exercise/eat junk so not much can be done for them except to put them on drugs. As for natural remedies, they have been around for ever, the Bible talks about “the leaves are for healing”. No they are not proved because no money in it for big pharma! However at 72yo I can attest to the value of herbs and the right supplements.
I agree that prescription medication can have adverse reaction. I also agree that senior management pharma seem to be more motivated by greed then anything else. However, there are many researchers who spend their whole life trying to find medication that will fix things that we as human manage to “break”. In fact there are people alive today soley because of the “drug companies.” It is interesting to note that in order to sell a pharmaceutial they must pass rigorous clinical test and demonstrate that the drug benefit outwieghts the harm. Not that it doesn’t do any harm but in most cases (not all) it will be a benefit. Wheras supplements don’t have to prove anything to anyone other than a good marketing campaign. Although the placebo effect is very strong evidence that we have the power to heal ourselves, it is important not to view all pharmaceuticals as going to make us sick and not benefit us. I see a pharmaceutical as support while we take action to correct the disease through life style changes. This is much harder than just popping a pill. But in the long run is the best approach. I know many dedicated people in Pharma and as you might have guessed I worked for a Pharmaceutical Company for 35 years. They are not all an evil empire, trust me. You should also know that I use the Resperate with great success, better than my prescibed blood pressure medication. I also take a few supplements along with eating healthy, exercising, meditation and yoga. I am 61 and pass for 40’s! It is my goal to deprive Pharma of my retirement funds if at all possible. One less ad on television ( an example of senior managements greed mentality) pushing ED drugs or Pee Better or Pee Less drugs would make the world a happier place. Thanks for this website and thanks for reading.
Strict DASH diet without cheating for two weeks plus one hour of brisk walking a day should get your blood pressure under control. I lost 16 pounds and got my BP to normal numbers 115/78 average for last 30 days and am down from three pills a day to just one. I have added a supplement pill of tomato extract,coq10 and grape seed extract. I also use resperate few times a day and try and do some breathing exercises. Are you taking your blood pressure in a proper recommended way?
I sit with my cuff on for 16 min and then take my reading and after 3 min second reading twice daily at the same time. I hope this will help you. I also will recommend 8 weeks blood pressure cure to read, it is very informative book on the subject.
Yes, I agree also! It’s true that diet and exercise can help control blood pressure, but not always.
Don’t forget the benefits of massage therapy, yoga and even mediational/new age/spa music. I wholeheartedly agree not only for blood pressure control but also diabetes management that REGULAR exercise is key. Days that I do not exercise my glucose (and bp) are higher than days that I do without question. If you think you don’t have time to exercise, consider the option… do you have time for the hospital or your own funeral?
well said!
My hat is off for those that are feeling the same frustation from having to take bp medicine..I have been prescribed meds for over ten yrs, and when i thought i had made some success and was looking for reduction in the meds, i suffered a setback, and now have almost started over with the meds..i sometimes question whether the meds are the right ones since my mother, also bp sufferer, takes only 1 prescription, while i take 4plus…I have changed my eating habits, eat leafty vegatables, fruits, nuts, lean meats, small portions, and walk daily, yet every time i go to the clinic, and get my pressure read, it has a high reading, while at home my reading are good or manageable..it sometimes get so frustating..i don’t have headaches, dizziness, or any of the symptoms associated with high blood pressure.
I agree completely with the previous writer. For me, though, my BP is a straightforward function of weight and exercise. Whenever, I slack on either or both, BP rises. Even 5 pounds extra on my normal 150 weight jumps BP significantly.
I am joining the crowd! Medicine and every so often each year we change the med. I sleep a lot more, I feel a lack of energy. I have thinking problems, feel lethargic, sometime in a state of depression because I am always thinking to my self negative thinks, muscle and joint aches.Yes , I walk with a dog two miles a day but not a brisk walk just a good pace.I take supplements( fish oil, garlic pills. b-12, and magnesium, aspirin to accommodates stints I have . My a1c test are on the money, cholesterol perfect with med,but the blood pressure goes wacky. Sometimes its OK for 6 months then it becomes unstable. Example 165-56-pulse 57.or 155-42-78 or 175-78-68. To me that’s not bad but the doctors want it to be perfect. Can they get it to perfect with med? The side effects do ruin your life.Not the third part is the expense with these drugs.Lipotor, a pill cost the sum of a cheap breakfast $1.85 ( Blue/Cross with a Mich. retirement )plavix $1.77 this is the cost of a cheap lunch.Yes, I want the Federal Govt involved with controls in pricing with the Pharmaceutic companies.Did you ever realize that you can go to Wal-mart get a price for a car tune -up.and that’s to a dollar or penny. But you can not go to your hospital and get an estimated costs because of the ridiculous over charging and the see the dividends or hospital expansions, top management salaries, and their free spending in their budget like lobbyist, seminars paid at the highest cost.I feel like we do not a chance once we get into the clutches of the scheme of medicine and it’s affiliates.
i am having a hard time quitting smoking i want and need to but tried chantix made me sick so i stopped are there any natraul things i can try that wont mke ke sick
Try breathing exercise called ‘ANULOM VILOM’ (Slow inhale – exhale) for 15 minutes – 30 minutes every day. For best results combine this with DASH and regualarexercises.
Srini
I totally agreed. Doctors forced the patients to take drugs because that what they learned from medical textbook. I am glad that I am not alone in rejecting medications from Doctors. I was asked to take drugs such as asprin, analapril and one more, everyday for more than two months. I sensed no difference at all so I asked the doctor one day and he said I would take these drugs for the rest of my life. What a hell! I stopped rightaway and two months latter he asked me if I still had my drugs. I told him off that I stopped two months ago. We had some critical exchanges. I told him that my BP which goes from 120 to few times 150 was environmental related. When I am under work pressure or of bad tempter, my BP would rise. Now I am without medications for six months now and I still have my ups and downs with BP. Drugs are aliens to our bodies. They only cause problems to us that keeping us in good shape. Stay away from drugs!
i wish someboby in the medical field,cardiologist,internist or maybe a psychiatrist will read all our comments and really give us the real scoop,i tried everything and still my b/p is out of control,i just deal with the side effects of the b/p meds.i guess it it is the way of life-it is what it is. thanks anyway you are all trying,travesty of life. monina
lee, please share the information you received from John Hopkins University. Thanking you in advance…connie
iam 51 years old and have been on atenolol, Norvasc, nifedipine, and Esidrex for quite sometime with marginal drop in my BP. Please can you give me detail of John Hopkin process.
i too, would like to know about the program at Hopkins to control blood pressure.
Thanks.
I haven’t tried it yet but why not google ” johns Hopkins and hypertension” and see what you get?
On the natural HBP methods topic, 2 interesting alternatives I’ve read about:
1-Chiropractic and hypertension -specifically the “atlas vertebra” which is at the base of your head. If you’ve suffered from a neck or head trauma in the past a simple Adjustment could help.
2- hibiscus tea -a study done in 2007 shows that 3 cups of hibiscus tea a day can significantly reduce HBP – it acts like an ace inhibitor with no serious side affects but not good for everyone so do your research first!
Lee, Where are you? We want to know the John Hopkins secret to cure the HBP. Yes, the drugs are slow death. They may work but they cause other problems.
Lee, we all want the info on how you manage your blood pressure …
To put the patient on BP pills right away might not be the best solution and sometimes is very dangerous. I heard that in England, doctors won’t put people on medicine within 36 months. Instead they try to change your life style. In my opinion the combination of Diavon and Atennolol are extremely dangerous. It scares me to see you are going through what I experienced. I was knocked down by BP pills so many times and ended up in ERs frequently for years. I had the longest list of priscriptions in Walgreen store at the corner. Finally doctors learned to give me small dosage. When I was taking Diavon 40mg (half of 80mg) in the morning and 12.5 mg atenolol in the evening, it works for the first few months. Then my doctor forgot the 12.5mg atenolol and prescibed 25mg atenolol, my heart started pulpitating. My BP went up to 165/95 at night when I got up to bathroom. I heard my pulse in right ear loud. I couldn’t lay on side because my heart couldn’t take it. It simply caused reverse effect on my heart and locked up all your atteries from time to time. My heart hurt like fire burn, etc. I had to carry nytro pill to save my life. I had to struggle to get up and move when I felt I was passing out. I began to collapse in the morning after I took Diavon. I saw many doctors and been to many hospitals ERs. One Cardiologist told me that Diavon and Atenolol can’t be used together. I began to read online about every medicine. Even though BP pills caused reversed effect. If you cut it suddenly, your BP will rebounce higher. I am on 75 Avapro now. Half in the morning and half in the evening. My BP is around 130/80. Fresh fish, green leaves and low sodium always lower the BP instantly. A lot of minerals are crucial, too. Hopefully my story will help you.
I agree, My blood pressure meds aren’t working either, They don’t try to fix only because it is Money to keep us coming back in their pockets Like job security. I take Bystolic and potasium and it doesn’t lower mine either. I get rashes also, I’ve tried almost everyone you can think of that is there. Even if they did read what everyone wrote they’d deny what they read.
I have been reading all your emails about the side effects of blood pressure medicine and I want to jump in and suggest that you try using the Resperate device. Why don’t you go to their website: http://www.resperate.com and read all the information and all the clinical testing that has been done. Print it out and show it to your doctors.
I am so grateful that I found out about Resperate over two years ago. Not only is it keeping my pressure down but I never had to take any medications. Aside from keeping my pressure down, it is SO relaxing. Not to mention all the money that I have saved over the past two years from not taking any medication. Check it out and see for yourself.
Did I forget something? Please give a reason. I wanted to share that following a vegan diet and no or little salt works.
Hi
Lots of people here talking about how stressed you are about your high blood pressure, or about the bad effects of blood pressure meds, but how many of
you have had a stroke / heart attack ??
None I guess !, stop worrying, stop taking meds.
Disappointed no further comments from lee. don’t be surprised if he wants money for his information. hope he proves me wrong
The Dr. put me on the evil med Norvasc. It was awful.
My legs became swollen, makes you so tired, I did not have any problems with legs swelling till I took that garbage. I got off of it but my legs still swell and it also gave me a rash.
Good post. I always enjoy stuff about this. Next time you must write extra on this together with food or something like that.
Lee,I would like to know about (Johns Hopkins )program for BP…
Thanks..Juan
I’m an RN so you’d suppose I might know something about this, right?
Well, I do, but what I know is not what might be expected. Those who have answered that all Dr’s do is order meds and if one doesn’t work then they try another are right. Trust me, many of them have the same problem and have no more of a solution for themselves than they do for their patients. Why is that?? Because we know what causes hypertension in some people but for many others no one knows exactly why they have this problem.
Age does seem to affect it. It used to be that 140/80 was acceptable as you got to the medicare age and older. But–not anymore. Now the optimal is 120 or lower.
Many senior citizens who manage to get their pressure that low feel using meds feel so poorly, especially the feeling of complete exhaustion that they throw in the towel. I don’t blame them.
But—there might be a solution. I have seen a lot of people switch to red reishi mushroom. I know I can hear all the professionals booing and hissing about now. But consider all the side effects that those prescription bp meds cause. As opposed to the reishi. The worst thing I’ve seen is that it causes a really stuffy or runny nose. But only for about the first couple of weeks. Would that those bp meds only had side effects for two weeks. No one would be complaining, would they?
So here’s what I’ve found. The reishi must be from a reliable source. Do some home work on that one. Best from a Japanese manufacturer and with an NSF seal.
Then take two on and empty stomach with 500mg Vit c each morning. At one of your next two meals, lunch or dinner, take the same again.
At the end of a month your pressure should be lower. Maybe even sooner.
If you have a resparate definitely use it. it does help a great deal. In fact if your pressure is not too high it will do it without any additional help. But—you need to use it twice a day, probably forever. A bit of a nuisance but no where near as bad as having uncontrolled hypertension. It will kill you. Usually sooner than later.
I have had high blood pressure for years. None of the hypertension drugs helped and I had many bad side effects. I came to the conclusion that hypertension was only a symptom of something else being wrong. With the help of the Ondamed machine I discovered that I have Lyme disease, which is causing my hypertension. As long as the Lyme is not dealt with the hypertension does not go down. I have come to have a very low opinion of the cardiologists who did not realize this.
I am 79 years old have had HP since I was 50. Always have had BP highest in AM. Using Resperate for one month and no high HP in AM. Still taking meds,and pressure now reads 120/70 pretty steadily. Am much calmer and sleeping more soundly and it is only one month. Old dogs can be taught new tricks.