Q: My systolc BP is in the high 130 range. My doctor is not concerned. This just started. In the past it has always been below 120. My son had an myocardial infarction in his 30’s. My mother had a triple bypass at age 70 and died on the operating table at age 75 while undergoing a re-bypass. I am 68. Do I need further workup? What would you suggest as tests I should have done. I can consult with a cardiologist without a referral from my family doctor. Should I do this?
A: With a systolic blood pressure in the high 130’s you are in the group known as pre-hypertension. Treatment is not recommended until systolic blood pressure is 140 or greater. It sounds like your doctor is treating you appropriately. I assume your doctor has suggested all appropriate lifestyle changes and you have taken the advice. If it would make you feel better to talk to a cardiologist, you should do so. It never hurts to get a second opinion and your family doctor should want you to feel confident about the care you are receiving. Although you don’t need a referral, why don’t you ask for one?
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People in the pre-hypertensive stage need to err on the side of caution. I was in this category about 2 years ago and within a year my BP became elevated and unhealthy. I reformed my diet and lifestyle and quickly re-gained control and my BP now runs about 120/70 give or take a few points. It’s best to catch it early before it spirals out of control I think. Family history isn’t always a cut and dry metric.
This year I had a radical mastectomy, and since 2002, I have had 6 heart stents put in – different ones at 5 years apart.
Yet, the thing that bothers me is doctors and my inability to find blood pressure medicines that keep my BP under control.
I usually run in the 130’s at home, but when I am out and take it at a drug store, it is normally in the 180s (diastolic is usually in the 70s but can jump into the 90s, rarely).
I definitely have White Coat Syndrome, but happens just walking up to a BP machine.
I have a very hard time with meds … have tried so many. Want so much to be able to control this.
Any suggestions?
Sharon – I changed my diet and got my BP under control. I read a book called the Paleo Diet – which basically says eat what our biology is designed to eat – which means foods available before the agricultural revolution. No grain products or dairy. I noticed a significant increase in energy as well as great cholesterol and BP improvements. Good luck.
Yes, eat a more plant based diet: more fruits , vegetables, eliminate wheat, and dairy. No red meat. Go to the library and read these books which are also available for purchase on amazon books and Barnes and Nobles. Please also read “Eat To Live, “Engine 2” and “Wheat Belly” Most chronic disease conditions in the US today, obesity, heart, blood pressure,diabetes, athritis, can be helped by eliminating much of what you are currently eating. Diet is #1!!! I did this and have a new outlook of not feeling sick and tired.
Find an interventional cardiologist in a major teaching hospital where you live. Your illness and conditions will be helped by eating this why.
I’m baffled as to how such diet that allows meat can possibly lower lipid and BP levels adequately. How much of a reduction did you see with this diet?
Jason – My cholesterol was at 185 on my normal diet. I first switched to a strictly vegan diet for 5 weeks. No meet, dairy or much oils (veggies, whole wheat pastas, etc.). My cholesterol was 153. However the small particle to large particle ratio was not very good. Small cholesterol particles are the more troublesome. After I switched to the paleo diet my cholesterol was 163 but had a substantial improvement in the profile (small particle to large particle ratio). Triglicerides were also under 100 and less than on the vegan diet. In short, through self-experimentation and a lot of reading, I’ve determined that the paleo diet is best for me. A vegan diet will give you a lower overall cholesterol number, but not as good when you look at details of the cholesterol – which is consistent with all the legitimate books I’ve read. I’d suggest try it and test your blood. I buy my blood tests online and go to Labcorp at my convenience (no dr. needed for the routine blood tests).
MLB- Interesting information. Thanks for sharing. I didn’t really think about the small vs. large particle LDL ratio but from what I read that is the most critical part of the entire good vs. bad cholesterol concept. My triglycerides were a tad higher than I like but my total was 100 which isn’t an issue. I just have to watch my glucose and BP and supposedly insulin resistance and hypertension sometimes go hand on hand. Just curious as to where to get those blood tests online, that sound like a great idea. As you indicate, the best way to see if a diet is working is via experimentation. I tried DASH and my BP responded very little but when I dropped the meat, dairy and oil I started seeing a major drop in BP.
Jason – I buy them at lef.org which is where I buy my vitamins too. (I’m not affiliated with them in any way.) They’ll mail you a document that you can take to any Labcorp to have the blood drawn. About a week afterwards you’ll get the results in the mail. I then take that to my doctor if there is anything unusual. FYI -last night on 60 minutes there was a good segment on the toxicity of sugar (which also underscored its presence in almost all processed foods). You could probably view it on line. Very worthwhile.
Thank you for the great information MLB. The online lab test ordering is a great idea. I think my PPO insurance actually covers such tests without a doctor ordering them.
That’s great. Good luck!