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My mother is 85, and with medication, her BP is still sometimes 160/82, or as low as 140/78 in the same week. I know she first was diagnosed when she was in her 60s, stopped taking her medication for a while. The last couple years, the doctor was having trouble treating it (top number was 180 for a while), and said, well, the bottom number shows it's as low as it can go. She had a couple of TIAs a couple years ago, and had some heart fluttering while in the hospital. I just don't understand how you can live so long with high BP, when I know other people who have died around age 50 ... I myself have been taking meds for at least 10 years because I know my biological mother and brother died around the age I am right now. Well, I could get into more and more details about my mother's medical history, but just wondering. She has made a lot of good recovery from problems she was having in August and October. She is a medical mystery!

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In my experience the wrist cuff is the least accurate of  home blood pressure monitors. They were never accurate when I was in the field as a practicing Home Care nurse. If you have access to a blood pressure machine with a cuff do a spot comparison with both or do a mini study comparing the results with each. Just thinking you may already have another BP machine at home already. 
A person can live for many years with high blood pressure. It is after all considered the "Silent Killer" due to the fact that while you have it and if it's untreated you can suffer a milieu of adverse events years later from untreated high BP. 
There are many factors to taking a blood pressure reading accurately. I really like the BP machines sold at most drug stores for simple daily use and monitoring. Make sure you use the cuff that is appropriate for your weight- many people use an incorrect cuff thus the fit, and the reading, may be inaccurate.  When the cuff is placed before inflation you should be able to comfortably fit two fingers between the cuff and skin. 
It's all good cause you are monitoring yourself regularly but please consider getting another blood pressure machine to use at home and/or compare readings between the wrist cuff and store bought or home care basic blood pressure measuring devices. 
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I am new here. Just thought I'd get something that has been bothering me. I was told by doctors who treated me for allergies 20 years ago that I had hypertension. At the time I didn't know the meaning of it. They didn't give me any BP numbers, or tell me what to do about it. Seems all doctors are like this from what I have heard from friends. It would have helped me if they explained to me at what levels heart attacks and stroke can happen. I maybe would have watched my BP more carefully then.
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No, I am not on any meds. My friends tell me BP meds are a spiral toward worse conditions. Some have died on meds. Other folks who are living with high BP tell me it will not go down, so live with it. If you believe in meds, then take it.
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Hi, are you on meds for your elevated BP?
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I am 62 and have had high blood pressure readings of 190/115 for  over 8 years. I feel fine, as though my body has become used to the pressures. I check my BP daily with a wrist type device. My lowest readings are about 140/90 after a good long 2 hour walk, which isn't often these days. I am house bound most of the time taking care of my 92yo mom. Her BP is the same as mines and she is still alive and walking. I am trying to reduce my BP without medications by drinking more tea type drinks.
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My mom was 86 and had terrible blood pressure for as long as I can remember. She was on 4 BP meds. My 85 year old dad also has it, as well as my brother (61) and my sister died of congenital heart disease at 6 years old so heart issues run rampant in my family. I have been cutting back more on salt, cooking myself and exercising which I've always done. It's the diet piece I have to improve.

I agree stress is a big factor and I can definitely get that white coat syndrome thing going. I don't know why I get so nervous. A year ago I started taking my own BP everyday, twice a day and log my numbers. I take it when I go in for my check-ups. It was a lot better when I went in last time and my doc said keep at it but you must take more time to relax despite what your parents need. You better start looking out for yourself more given the history. I think it was better, in part, b/c I was in the habit of taking it myself (using the cuff just like they do) and I was able to relax more. Maybe some Pavlov's dog action going on, but it worked.
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Fluctuating blood pressure is not that abnormal. Take it early in the morning and it will be lower than in the afternoon.Also as bp goes uncontrolled it more easily fluctuates from the wear on the veins. Also a large dose of salt from salty foods, nitrates or processed foods can make it go up. Standing vs sitting, white coat syndrom, stress, poor diet can affect one reading to the next. High BP is the largest killer risk factor for death in the world. It's called a silent killer because most people don't know it's high. It's a risk factor. Not the direct cause of death. So regardless of how long a person lives with high bp, they could live longer without it. To lower bp, cut out salt and increase green veggies, fruit, nuts and seeds, exercise and lose weight.
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There is no need to worry.If you take medicine regulary of high BP than its good for you.
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Corporate greed is the main cause of high B/P. i will just leave it at that.
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No-one has mentioned stress causing high blood pressure. I don't use salt, eat out or eat junk and cook from scratch. I went to the doc at the beginning of September to see about getting my carpal tunnel hands fixed. My BP was 160 and I was to go back for a recheck.

At the time Mommie Dearest had driven me to the edge of a nervous breakdown, always on edge, fearful, stomach churning, jumping out of my skin when the phone rang ... many of you know how that goes.

Mommie Dearest passed September 12 and I decided to give myself the winter months to recover myself. I'm feeling much better by now and will go for a recheck shortly.
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High BP is a choice. Isn't that shocking. Sodium is the main culprit. Most of which comes in processed foods. Go on nutritionfacts.org and you can learn how to naturally reduce your bp. I am over 60 and when I am upset my bp will be maybe 126/72. No meds. Old age does not cause High bp. Lack of fruits and veggies and the Standard American Diet ( SAD) do. Up to 92,000 American lives could be saved each year simply by eating less salt. If you eat processed foods, add salt to your food or go out to eat, you'll eat too much salt. It's hard not to. If you are overweight you probably have high bp but not just because you are overweight so much as because of what you eat to keep your weight up. Too much salt. Too much junk. Not enough fruits and veggies. Eat more of a plant based diet and your bp will go down and as a bonus you will also loose weight. Win win. If you don't cut down, chronic high salt intake can lead to a gradual increase in blood pressure throughout life, that's why your bp goes up as you age. I have a friend who is 70. She has normal weight. 125 lbs. Walks every day. Eats fish, chicken, veggies. No dairy, gluten or grains. Her bp is 110/72. No meds. She could probably drop hers a little more if she would add whole grains. Mine would go down if I would lose weight. The question is not how long you can live with high bp but how well you can live with normal bp. I love this quote. "High blood pressure isn't a medication deficiency." The underlying cause is what you eat and how you live. That's why it's a choice. You can choose again. How Not To Die by Michael Greger, M. D. Is the source of most of this info. My bp and my friends bp are our own so if you have bp over ideal of 110/70 it will give you tips on how to lower your bp without medication. It's really exciting to eat better, start walking and watch your numbers go down. Very empowering. Sorry if TMI.
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Veronica! That is a perfect answer/question for the young lady with high b/p.

Ashamed that I did not remember that contraceptives can have this side effect. After working for an OB/GYN, I should have remembered.
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Are you taking oral contraceptives?
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Yes, my b/p readings are approx. in the range of 117/ 72.
If it's high at the doctor's office, I ask them to re-take the reading after a time, and after taking 3 relaxing deep breaths, in and out. Then, I have a normal blood pressure reading.
As a former medical assistant, I know if they are using the correct technique or not.
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Sendme, everyone has spikes in BP after exertion, pain, and emotions. I don't even think 140/90 is all that high, usually they don't get concerned until it hits 150 or so, especially if you are older?? Do you have a machine to monitor your BP at home? It is the overall daily average that matters, even on meds there are times during the day when BP spikes.
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190/130 @ age 23?
Did you get your results in writing?
A person who has dyslexia or ADHD can misinterpret the reading 130/90.
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The doctors said that I have high blood pressure, and I don't.
They gave me B/P meds, I could not take them due to side effects.
I may have spikes of high B/P with exertion, pain, and emotions (140/90), but that is within the new normal for persons over 60.
With high B/P symptoms, such as irritability, a little parsely helps me.
Not a medical recommendation because of Vit K issues, but has worked for me.
It has been going on for approximately 10 years.
**If you have concerns, get a second opinion, and someone who knows how to take an accurate B/P over a period of 3 visits.
Btw, worry can be a factor in raising your B/P.
.
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I hope the answer is a long time as I have just been diagnosed with it. Lol (sort of)

Angel
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I want to know the reason behind that..
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There is no hoax..I feel my heart rate..they always pumping very fast..
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Oh you'll live, but eventually suffer. You are prone to strokes and/or heart attacks so take your medicine! Who wants to live blind, paralyzed, or on oxygen in a bed, when 1 simple little pill prevents that? My grandfather died at 62 of HBP as there were no meds back then like there is now. I have been on them 30 years, they save you in more ways than one. Maybe this question is a hoax, not sure.
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My blood pressure around 190/130.my age is 23 year..plz tell me how many year a live without medicine
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I meant that the guidelines have been lowered.
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The guidelines have been raised a little for the control of hypertension. It's easier now to achieve the right BP, according to the AMA. If you've done all you could to lower the numbers through diet, weight control, exercise and sleep, and you still have hypertension, then you must rely on the meds..........so many from which to choose. Long-term elevated BP may require a combo drug, such as Norvasc, Diovan and a gentler form of Lasix. Only a physician can help you with this....don't try to guess. Side-effects can be significant also.
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123, if you take your bp meds you , in a way, dont have high blood pressure as its controllable so dont worry. Sometimes walking or losing weight can get you off your pills too.My son is 28 and on them also, they told him if he lost 20lbs h most likely could get off of them. Good Luck.
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My mother has had hypertension for as long as I can remember... she is now 97 and still doing fine... the secret is to keep on the pills.
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Has any body lived for longer than 30 years with high blood pressure?
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Hi Everyone
I was @the clinic today and the sister just told me that i must start taking pills today for HBP i even wanted to cry, i was thinking i'm only 27 years i was thinking that i will tak this pills for the rest of my life.

i need some advices from you guys please like how to live with it and enjoy life.
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Correction: "Isolated Systolic Hypertension", it's obviously elevated.
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Yes, B.P is tricky, isn't it?......must be monitored daily, preferably three times a day if you can stand it. As mentioned before, Elevated Systolic Hypertension is common in those over 60. If all the natural methods fail or do not make a difference, then we must face the meds......so many of them! Ask your internist or cardiologist for the latest in B.P. meds and review the side effects.
I'd rather be sleepy than deal with swollen ankles ( two common side effects). But, what ever drug brings those numbers down will be the ultimate choice.
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