High Blood Pressure

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I went for a check-up last month and my blood pressure was up high.

At this time, I was going through a lot of emotional stuff with my

developmentally delayed son who just had a nervous breakdown and my

first born had just left for university. Plus, this doctor scared me

with the thought of having breast cancer. I had that all checked out

and it is just cysts. Whew! The doctor put me on a water pill

(hydrochlorothiazide 25mg). He wasn't listening to why it might be

up, only going by the symptoms. Not treating me as as a whole person,

only the symptoms In the meantime, I have changed at lot in my

lifestyle. I am exercising every day for 30 minutes and improving on

eating even better than I was. I have lost 14 lbs in the last month

and a half. Now I am 140 lbs and 5'2. " I do check my blood pressure

at the drug store. It is in the normal to high range depending on

the time of day (131/84 to 138/92). Some of my friends suggested

that I have " white coat syndrome " , that it goes up at the dr's

office. I really don't like doctors much at all and avoid them at

all costs. More into holistic stuff. A friend of mine also

suggested eating a banana once a day for the potassium I am losing

while on these pills. She was told to do this by her doctor when she

was on water pills. My doctor never suggested that. Hmmmm. A

question I have is, I know you are supposed to drink at least 6-8

glasses of water a day normally, but, if you are on water pills, are

you supposed to keep that up? Drinking lots of water is a natural

diuretic, but does that hold true if you are on water pills? Also,

what is a good blood pressure for a female of 43 years of age.

Should it still be around the perfect 120/80? Any other suggestions I

can try to get this down? I even bought relaxation tapes and do them

for 20 minutes a day. I go back in November and do not want to take

medication. I actually felt in great shape until I went for that darn

check-up. I have lost a total of 18 lbs. since June and was walking 3

times a week for 30 minutes. I thought I was doing so well. Geesh!!!

 

Susan