who has hypertension raise your hand

[pammie]

I have the opposite problem of all of you.
I have always had low/normal blood pressure but now with atkins it has dropped very very low. And my doctor is considering putting me on medicine to raise my blood pressure! :yikes

but I wonder if there is something I can do with my diet instead. (and sorry for butting in here, I know I am not on topic)

[lostandfound]

Pammie,

My daughter has very low blood pressure (Hypotension). There are a varied list of things that could cause it. But generally speaking, unless you are having symptoms ie:weakness, dizziness, tiredness, or even fainting, you will be fine. It's the 'symptoms' that relate to a medical problem.
When the blood pressure is too low, there is inadequate blood flow to the heart, brain, and other vital organs. What does your Dr. say?
Hugs,Tammy

[pammie]

I have been fainting and getting dizzy a lot..which is why the doctor is suggesting medicine. I refused last time I was there and I was at 98/43 but he said if it when any lower at all I must take the meds.

[lostandfound]

Yikes Pammie,

I'm so sorry. But please do as your Dr. asks. You may not have to take meds for long. But you should really get this under control.
Like 2big says. Much better to at least have control over the situation.
Then maybe they can pinpoint a reason?? It could be as simple as an infection of some sort.
I hope you get better soon....

Hugs,Tammy

:hug :hug :hug :hug :hug :hug :hug :hug

[lostandfound]

kebaldwin,

Congratulations! That's a wonderful achievement!
That is my ultimate goal for this WOE, although due to genetics, it may never be realized. Well done!!!


Hugs,Tammy

[lostandfound]

I feel wonderful. And as long as I continue to take my meds, I can keep my BP to a semi-normal level.
I am approaching 11 months low carbing, 7 of which were Atkins, by the book. My BP has been erratic with high's actually higher than pre-Atkins. And my semi normal #'s have been 'High normal's'. Of course I have high hopes that the #'s will go down and stay down with this WOE.
But I have also got to be realistic. Genetics have been proven to play a large role in Hypertension with new studies in just the last 2 years linking them together.
I know that long term studies of Hypertension and low carb dieting are very promising. And I hope that I eventually become a classic success story. But if I don't, I will have educated myself, gained a much healthier outlook on long term Hypertension, (and the treatment thereof) and hopefully prevent a repeat of my Mother's life. My Mother is 1 of 12. Every single one of them had high BP.
And ALL of my female cousin's and nearly all of the Male cousin's have either High Blood pressure or some form of heart disease, or both.
Sad.... but true. Most are overweight, but some are not.

Thanks for your vote of confidence kebaldwin.
And by the way.... I'm 6 months 11 days cheat free!!! Woohooo

Hugs,Tammy

[Coop2004]

I believe that this thread shows that Atkins is a great WOE/WOL for many of us and our health problems. In many cases, we still may have to use meds (possibly for the rest of our lives), but at least now we can keep these health problems well under control!!!! And live a long life as well!!

[Heidi3]

I checked my BP Friday at work and guess what it was 132/80!!!! I have lost 15lbs ....and it went down..(I think I did this before but it seems a distant memory!).... for me that is awesome since I was running 140/90's!!! So yeah loose weight and it goes down for me anyway!!! I am soo happy if I can keep it like this for a few weeks I am sure it will stay down for now......what a relief...this is.... :icondance :icondance :icondance ...now will nurselady let this sink in and learn from this?????......only time will tell....
eat right+exercise+weightloss=lower BP=better health!!!!

[lostandfound]

Nurselady,

That's wonderful news. :icondance I'm so happy for you. Taking meds would not have been pleasant! Although sometimes neccessary...
Well Done!!!

Hugs,Tammy

[Coop2004]

Nurselady,

Great news!!!! I'm sure that since you're on a roll, it will inspire not only you, but others who read this thread. Regardless of whether you can get off meds or have to stay on them, at least with this WOE/WOL, you know your numbers will be in the healthy range!!

Keep up the great work!! :joy :joy

:hug

Linda (Coop)

[2big4mysize]

congrats on getting it down

Oh and if you need help letting that sink in I'm sure lots of folks will be happy to keep reminding you ;-)

[Girasol]

I was taking pills for high blood pressure for 4 years. I took Atenolol 50gm & Hyzaar 50gm/12.5 with diuretic. My blood pressure was 160/100 before pills. :yikes Sometimes I felt that pills was not working becaue my blood pressure was unstable.

My doctor told me about Atkins. I started with Atkins on Nov 2003. After loosing more than 20 pounds, he eliminated Hyzaard and changed it for Cozaar 50gm on March 2004. I continued visiting my doctor every 6 weeks. Then he eliminated Cozaar on May. I continued loosing weight and feeling every day better. On October, I only took Atenolol 25gm then my doctor decided to eliminate it because my bp was 110/70. In my last visit I had 110/75 with no pills. :icondance

My father have high blood pressure for more than 30 years. I was taking more meds than him. :confused .Three years after he had a stroke and I decided to do something for me. He had been on bed for more than 4 years. His right side was affected. He can communicate, but sometimes he cannot understand.

Doing Atkins Diet you can feel free. :yes Visit your doctor so he can monitor your meds. I was taking pills for 4 years. Now I am free. I had lost 41 pounds. I started on 215 now I am on 174. Please take care of yourself.

[kelley]

I take Micardis HCTZ and Toprol XL-- I started taking meds after I had a panic attack about 3 years ago-- seemed like my bp kept climbing.. i think most of it was stress but I am also very overweight and am looking for this WOL to change it.

My BP medicated runs 100/70-- So I guess as I lose weight I should keep my dr. informed....

Hearing all your stories is uplifting. Thanks for sharing

[hidingbeauty]

lostandfound wrote: I have been taking Atenolol for 11 years. Started out at 25 mg's and am now up to 200 mg's plus 25 mg's HCTZ. My Dr. has tried to taper me off my meds twice now and each time my BP soars. I don't know what the heck is going on. I'm losing substantially. I'm exercising. I'm drinking my water and avoiding sodium. I do not use caffeine at all. But I'm still in the scary zone.
He reduced my atenolol down to 100 mg's daily last month and day before yesterday my BP was 168/119!!! So...back to taking the evening dose of an additional 100 mg's and monitoring my heart rate. Which is always quite low at night. (too much atenolol if you ask me)
Guess I'm going to be one of those folks that has to take those stinking meds for life!!!!

Hugs,Tammy




... i Have also been on atenolol with chlorathol combo -dieuretic for two years !I used to take hyzaar but that just was not enough... I also have extremely high bp since i was 15..it runs in my family! Just the other week at the doc's it was 190/ 120 somethin...but thats only cause i was sick w/ strep thorat ~ ..usually it is like 120 / 85 ..... I have never really heard of anyone else having it that high other than people in my family!!! I hope yours goes down!! I feel ya on this !!! Good luck! are you also on the combo dieuretic chlorathol ? It is nice to know you have still lost weight on this medicine cause i have heard it Slows down the process . Bye

[lostandfound]

Hi Beauty,

Yes, it can be done. But it can be slow going. I take each pound lost gratefully. I only take hctz and atenolol with a prescription for lasix (furosemide) as needed.
My high BP is also genetic. I have high hopes that with this WOE, and the proper exercise, I will eventually be taken off the meds. But as you know, when it's genetic, it's possible I may take them for the rest of my life.
But I will be healthier and thinner!!! I can't see that it will be as high as it was when I was over 300 lb's though.
You will lose the weight if you follow Dr. Atkins advice. Just have patience and praise each pound gone!!!

I hope you are able to get off the meds someday too!! Good luck to you!!

Hugs,Tammy