Extremely high blood pressure

[Mandarra]

Please help. I recently found out my blood pressure is through the roof. It's all over the place from 136 to 209, I'm freaking out . My doctor knows about my issue and never wanted to prescribe anything for me. He said to take yoga. I changed doctors and now picked up meds today. I'm afraid I've done damage to my heart and arteries by not treating it. I'm so terrified. How do I cope?
Anyone relate?

Mary

[poppadr3w]

This seems like something you should talk to a Cardiologist about. But blood pressure is generally manageable with medication and lifestyle changes.

Are you overweight/obese? That is probably a contributing factor, on top of general stress and whatever other issues you may have. I'd suggest engaging in diet and exercise if you do not already. I write a blog called The Anxiety Press (www.anxietypress.com) that is about fitness and is geared towards people with anxiety.

But for now don't worry; worrying about it won't help. Do your best to relax with tea, meditation, etc.

[Jackrabbit]

high blood pressure is nothing to mess around with. Good thing that you got meds to help lower it. I agree with the poster above me, I would go see a heart specialist for a full examination. If everything is good then just focus on lowering your pressure. But its good to be proactive about it.

[Mandarra]

A cardiologist???? I'm having a heart ultrasound and ekg in two weeks, won't that tell me if there is a problem? Wouldn't I have any heart symptoms if there was something wrong? Now I'm feeling even worse.
No I am not obese, never was. Don't smoke or drink. I am in menopause.
I hope I have no damage. :blush:

[Jackrabbit]

Those are all questions you should ask your doctor. There is a possibility that there is no damage...I would assume it depends on how long you've had the high blood pressure. But eating healthy and being physically fit is always beneficial. But yeah, my advice would to make sure that your cardiovascular system is normal because that is what high blood pressure attacks. I don't want to scare you but if you realize the problem, you should get it checked out further.

[nivekc251]

Anxiety can cause ur BP to fluctuate. I dealt with the heart scare about 3 years ago. It was horrible my pulse would get over 200 and my bp would get 200/160 I was terrified that I was going to have a stroke. Doc gave me a beta blocker and told me if would help with anxiety. I got an echocardiogram ekg, and a 24 hour bp monitor all was ok. I know it's hard but try to relax and not freak about your heart. All those tests will pro be that you are ok don't worry

[Mandarra]

Thank you so much, you have made me feel so much better. I thought I was the only one feeling like this. Thank you.

Mary