Blood Pressure

[MRG]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Nice job, keep up the good work.

+1

[meierlde]

Quote:

Originally Posted by harley The problem with that study is it makes no differentiation by age, and there have been a number of studies recently that show that as you age beyond 60 higher numbers are accepted as normal. As it's pretty much impossible to tell what's signal in all the noise, I tend to go with if you're otherwise pretty healthy and your BP isn't extreme, don't worry too much. If you start heading into the mid to upper numbers, definitely check with your doctor and probably start BP meds. But it only makes sense that as you age your numbers are going to increase a bit. Everything gets suckier as you get older. And no pill is going to make you younger.

Actually as I recall the guidelines in the 1960s were a upper number of 100+your age. Which did account for an increase with age, of course back then there were a lot fewer medicines for high blood pressure.

[Just_Steve]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luvdogs Not a "kickback" but apparently Big Pharma can monitor how/what drs prescribe. DH recently went on Medicare. One of his RXes is pretty expensive and we noticed that (for instance) the 100 mg tablet costs just as much as the 50 mg tablet which is what the dr prescribed. Both were 90 day supplies. So why can't the dr just prescribe the 100 mg (break it in half) and it will last twice as long and therefore be half as expensive? He would then only have to order them every six months instead of every three months. Dr told my husband that Big Pharma somehow monitors this and could "cut him off" if they found out. I have no idea how accurate this is but it is another way that someone is making $$ on us.

Express scripts my prescription drug plan administrator actually encourages the above.

[harley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by harllee OP here, so I sent my last 2 weeks of BP readings to my doctor. There had been a steady decline from 140/80 to around 130/80. Doctor says these later readings are fine, no need for BP medicine. I just need to keep an eye on my BP going forward. Thanks to the folks that made it possible to get my BP readings down. I think it was the meditation, breathing, and beet juice that got it down.

Good job, although it would be a tough call for me between the BP meds and the beet juice.

[harllee]

OP here, I love beets and i think the beet juice is yummy and no side effects. But I guess if you don't like beets it would be an acquired taste...

[Alan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by harllee OP here, I love beets and i think the beet juice is yummy and no side effects. But I guess if you don't like beets it would be an acquired taste...

Better to beat it with beets.

https://youtu.be/oRdxUFDoQe0

[Amethyst]

Yesterday, my husband had a BP of 118/60 (better than mine) at the Dr's office. His BP used to be higher, before he started working out at the gym 3-4 days a week, with plenty of cardio. He also lost 10 pounds, mostly from his waistline, and wore a 45-year-old wool suit to a funeral last week. It was the only dark suit he had, and it fit perfectly.

So there are things, other than meds, that one can attempt.

[kitesurfer2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst So there are things, other than meds, that one can attempt.

Exactly!

[Car-Guy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just_Steve Express scripts my prescription drug plan administrator actually encourages the above.

In my experience, Express Scripts has always looked for the cheapest solution (e.g. generics) without any consideration for a patients health. If a generic will work for your case, then that's great, but if it doesn't, good luck no matter what you or your doctor says!