Do you have high blood pressure?

Im wondering if there are any side effects or not, Id like my bp checked but I can't just go to the gp asking for this for no reason. Iv noticed that most of the time my pulse is fast and say if I go somewhere or just go upstairs my heart will be beating like mad, is this normal? Im quite a good runner so there are not many problems there (except I see floaters when ive finished). :confused:

Reply 1

Gem

You can go to the GP to get your blood pressure checked if you're worried. That's what they're there for - to reassure or treat you in times of need. :smile:

Reply 2

Revd. Mike

Most GP surgeries have a nurse led blood pressure clinic, where they can check it for you and advise you further. If yours doesn't, then i think it would be perfectly acceptable to ask your GP to check it, if you're worried about it.

Alternatively, buy a meter and check it yourself hehe. I have really low BP, to the point that I faint on a fairly regular basis >.<

Reply 3

Jenii

Mine's high.

I was told to avoid salty food (I don't know why).

Reply 4

Ywiss

Francypants

Mine's high.

I was told to avoid salty food (I don't know why).

Because it makes your blood pressure even higher, perchance?

Reply 5

Mrs_F

I have high blood pressure.

Don't know the cause for mine though. I don't smoke, only drink on the very odd occasion and I don't like salt - those are the most common causes so I have been told.

I was blaming the stress of uni, but it is still up and I haven't done anything for the past 3 months. I have had my pill changed, blood tests and ECG scans but nothing has been found - so just have to go to the nurse every month to get it checked.

They are now thinking it could be "White Coat Syndrome" but who knows?

Anyway - in response to your post - you should go to the doctors or even the nurse and just explain how you are feeling.

Reply 6

Anonymous #2

Francypants

I was told to avoid salty food (I don't know why).

I've not been told a definitive answer - but if i had to try & give one. :wink:

Increased salt intake = increased water retention to balance osmotic pressures in the tissues & blood = increased blood volume = tendency to increased blood pressure.

Pulse being fast won't necessarily link to blood pressure. But obviously as people have said - go & get it checked out.

I'm not sure there are that many side effects of high BP per se, more risk factors associated with it that often go unprevented because people don't realise they have it till they're measured.

There's this article on NHS Direct about "Hypertension" which supports the idea about there rarely being symptoms & goes through causes, diagnosis, treatment, complications & prevention.

To answer the Q - mine is fairly textbook normal 120/80, but used to be low before i went on the Pill.