Q: My systolic pressure is particularly high. Is there anything I can do which specifically addresses this? I take Dilt (generic Cardizem CD) daily, am mostly low fat vegetarian, exercise 4-5 days per week. My blood pressure is typically 140/70. Until my 50’s, my blood pressure was typically 80/60. I am 77 yrs old, at high end of normal weight range.
A: Systolic high blood pressure becomes more common as people get older. Currently the same medicines are used to treat both diastolic pressure and systolic high blood pressure. You are already on one blood pressure medicine. To get better control, you might want to start using the RESPeRATE. It has no side effects, is easy to use, and has been scientifically proven to work.
Further Reading:
What is RESPeRATE? – resperate.com
How RESPeRATE Works – resperate.com
I would have thought that At lyour age a blood pressure reading of 140/70 is excellent .
I would not worry about 140/70, it used to be considered normal a long time ago.
Yes, my first thought was also “I wouldn’t worry about that.” If you are at the “high end of normal weight” I would try to lose the excess and you may find that your blood pressure is coming down too.
you may want to reconsider and research your diet – low fat mostly vegetarian is not optimal for most people.
I think I would have a divergence of opinion on that. Low fat, vegetarian is not optimal for most? So, high fat high animal protein is healthiest? This describes the Western diet which is designed for disease. The average american has a total cholesterol of over 200, is it any wonder why the average american has heart disease too.
I agree with Nick!
Me too!
There are studies out now that state it is dangerous to lower an elderly persons blood pressure too much. The same for agressively treating diabetes in elderly people. New studies have shown that risk of death because of overtreatment has increased.
Gee – 140/70 would thrill me. I’m 85 and pressure is more in the 150’s range over 70. B/p meds give me too many side effects so I now refuse them all and the doctor has accepted this. I changed my diet, use the resperate sometimes and I feel great.
my blood pressure has been quite high the past few months 202 /111 172/110 170/ 109 dr do not seem that concerned i am over weight although i have a healthy diet dont smoke dont drink dont eat junk food i think i have an underactive thyroid but drs say no i am on ly 71yrs of age am tired all the time and feel i shouldnt be feeling like this
Morvan, please push your doctors to do more! I felt like you and went to emergency and they put in a pace maker. I am your age and it is not normal to be so tired, that is why I went. Please do! GOD bless you.
I’m confused. I’m currently on a no added fat vegan diet with a push for low glycemic index. However, I haven’t yet broken my love for sweets. Elsewhere in these pages I read that cocoa helps some people with high BP. Some advocate avocado. “Lorenzo’s Oil” suggests that heavy fats be replaced with oils, but I’ve replaced butter with canola and olive for decades. Where is the accurate scientific authority that demonstrates how to find a proper dietetic balance for proteins and fats? With all the political hoopla on the subject, I submit to you that it simply does not exist. The pyramids (multiple ones, all different) are not an answer. I’m not sure about DASH either, but right now it looks like the best shot. 75-years old, 68” tall, 166 lbs., 2 mi bike per day, 173/86 evening, 145/74 morning. What should I be eating?
I tried DASH with little or no success. After I dropped the meat, dairy and oils (all oils including olive oil), my BP plummeted and I was off medication in about 2 months. Vegan, no oil works.
This is my fifth or sixth week on Vegan even with reduced salt my BP often hangs high, especially in the evening. Day readings appear to be raising. I’m up to 9 miles on the bike. But, I get headaches so bad I can hardly stand up and want to throw up. After three aspirin, I’m still dizzy. How long will it be until I see some effect, like a drop in cholesterol, stabilized BP?
Are you taking medication while on the diet at the same time? Given you are at 6 weeks, the drop in BP should happen soon. Have you seen any improvement since starting? I’d make sure you follow it to the letter, no animal protein whatsoever, no dairy and not a single drop of oil. I’d recommend the books Engine 2 Diet, Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, and Eat to Live as resources.
I am 57 readings of 138 over 93 and trying to lose weight do not drink or smoke just quit caffiens total except for some 90 % coco chocolate occasional