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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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Her bp doesnt sound bad to me. The 180 is but 140-160 on top is okay. I've heard that people wont necessarily die from it, they could have a stroke which leads them into a horrible long bedbound life, which is awful so keep giving that medication. If she goes on an antidepressant or xanax type medications it might lower it also because those reduce stress and stress is what raises it up and down also. Love her while you have her, thats all you can do, I am housebound myself with my Mom and know what its like. Good luck.
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My own mother's blood pressure is off the charts high and she will be 94 next month. About 15 years ago she went to the doctor and the first thing they did was become concerned with her BP. They even put a medication under her tongue, immediately. But she never goes to her own doctor and nothing was ever done about it.

She checks her BP at home. That is how I know that it is abnormally high.
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I guess it varies, as I think there are other factors involved such as cholesterol, etc. I've heard that sesame seed oil can lower blood pressure, and perhaps you may want to try it. It tastes pretty good too.
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The recommended BP for people has been revised to UNDER 120/80, however, for an 85 yr. old (very senior) the BP you described is in the "normal" range because she is medicated. Since I am a nurse, as well as living with my 87 yr. old husband his BP is 118/76 without meds, however, does not have a family history of heart disease. How long can you live with high BP? Until the vessels have had enough pressure, for too long, and then a major event occurs. It is very important to keep BP in check and I am so happy she is doing better. BP meds need to be monitored and dosage adjusted regularly because many factors affect BP. Best wishes for her and you!
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Both my MIL and Mother has always had high blood pressure...even with medication. I am beginning to think it is just one symptom and depending on other issues makes up a total picture. Of course, those really high bottom numbers are the strokers...anything over 100 is dangerous. That is why medication is so important.
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High blood pressure also affects your kidneys.
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That's true about the kidneys. My aunt had high blood pressure, that the Dr. couldn't control. It was the same as your Mom's, Cycloops. Very high, and the Dr. would put her on some new med, then it went too low and she was dizzy and very fatigued. He put her on diuretics. She went into kidney failure. Slowly....but it happened. Then he took her off of everything. Her blood pressure went sky high. He put a cautionary limit on it: 250/100!!! Completely incompetent man. My aunt suffered a stroke. It put her into a comatose-like existence. Very sad. I hope this post will help someone else facing this type of dilemna. Point being, don't be overly trusting in what the Dr. advises. By the time the family was aware of what was happening, and got another Dr., it was too late. We all have to have knowlege and ask questions, and get second opinions, because there are completely incompetent Docs out there who just don't care enough about an old patient!!! :(((
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The question should be: How long can you live with elevated BP and still remain asymptomatic? Not long. The effects of high BP are many....on the brain, heart, kidneys and lungs. It is important that she take some medication for this condition. Isolated sytolic hypertension is common among women over 60. A good number would be 134 up to 159, Systolic.
Ferris, R.N. : I don't know of anyone who has a BP of 120/80, except a young person. This site addresses seniors.
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Thanks, everybody! Her doctor back in our hometown was pretty laidback about everything and in the meantime, her BP got really high. She has been seen by a lot more doctors since she moved near me and her BP numbers have been better. They have said that her kidneys aren't doing so great -- but she seems OK, just really frail. I have told her that she needs to take her medicine because she wouldn't want to have a stroke and be bedridden, and I think she finally got the message. She has even tried to cut back some on salty foods. She still likes that salt shaker though.
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Hi Everyone
I'm turning 50 This month and last year my doctor told me I had genetic hypertension he put me on hctz ,I don't go to fast food place, never smoked or drank heavily, I weight lift, I use a spinner bike, I'm 5"6" weight 200 with a BMI under 15, I eat right, I'm studying Fr. Furhmans full course on food but some times my BP goes up to 140/90 and very rarely does it go up to 160/100, I am taking the prescribed meds everyday and my wife is a Medical asst taking my BP at least once a week which I put on a calendar but it makes me nervous to see this Should I be and is there anything else I can do
John
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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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Correction: "Isolated Systolic Hypertension", it's obviously elevated.
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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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Has any body lived for longer than 30 years with high blood pressure?
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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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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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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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I meant that the guidelines have been lowered.
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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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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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There is no hoax..I feel my heart rate..they always pumping very fast..
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I want to know the reason behind that..
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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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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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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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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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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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Are you taking oral contraceptives?
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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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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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