Hi,I am Dr. Prabhakar Koregol (Cardiologist). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
Have High Blood Pressure. Want To Avoid Medication. Will Breathing Exercises Help?
I was shocked to be diagnosed with hbp 160/90 mid Feb [ambulatory monitor] since when have had all tests and all OK. I'm 70 yr old active healthy female, don't smoke or drink too much and not overweight.BMI is 23. Since Feb have cut out salt, taken up fast walking 6 days on 7 and am drinking 1/2pt beetroot juice daily. Eat a healthy diet cooked from scratch. Have to see dr in 3 weeks and she wants me on medication. i would prefer to avoid medication and sort myself out. Realistically with what I am doing so far have I any chance of avoiding medication, I absolutely hate the idea. How much can I drop in 3 weeks and would breathing exercises help?
Not very much! Usually not more than 5 to 10 mm Hg with the best of attempts...
The most important measure is cut down the intake of salt...
Blood pressure is a silent killer...There may not be any symptom, until complications creep in.
It is manageable easily with modern medicines - with near normal quality of life
Why do you want to avoid drugs?
Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck
Dear Ma'm
Thanks for writing to healthcare magic
i understand your anxieties but i am afraid that i can not assure you that you can do without medicines. A level of 160 mmHg (persistent readings), as per guidelines, should be managed with life style modification and drugs both. i appreciate your efforts on life style modifications.
do continue with daily exercise too.
one way out could be that you start medicines now and continue other efforts and as BP levels start coming down, try to reduce dose of medicines in consultation with your physician. you may be able to reduce them to minimum or may be able to totally stop them.
for the time being, i will not advocate not taking drugs.
sincerely
sukhvinder singh
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Have High Blood Pressure. Want To Avoid Medication. Will Breathing Exercises Help?
Hi friend, Welcome to Health Care Magic Not very much! Usually not more than 5 to 10 mm Hg with the best of attempts... The most important measure is cut down the intake of salt... Blood pressure is a silent killer...There may not be any symptom, until complications creep in. It is manageable easily with modern medicines - with near normal quality of life Why do you want to avoid drugs? Take care Wishing speedy recovery God bless Good luck