Just want to make sure you see this, but you need to know your BP. I'm your age, have similar H/W stats, and elevated BP has always been an issue for me. Even without the huge amount of sodium from soy sauce, your stats put you at a high risk for it (which in turn leads to higher risk for heart attack and stroke.)
Ask your doctor at your next physical, or if you don't see a doctor regularly, you can buy yourself a good one off of Amazon. I have this one and vouch for it, but there's another one from the same manufacturer $15 cheaper.
My BP has been slightly high every time I go to the doctors, but when I have the nurses at work it's been fine. My doctor put me on high alert for Pre-E symptoms. Nothing so far, but either way, it freaks me out. I bought my own BP monitor from Amazon and it is amazing. It even has a 2 person setting so I can keep track of my husbands too. It saves the last 100 readings and keeps me sane. If any of you are in the same boat, this is the one I bought.
Wrist cuffs are typically less accurate than upper arm cuffs because it is measuring a smaller artery. I'd recommend getting a reliable home BP monitor, like this one, so you can measure your BP without the doctor's office anxiety. It really gave me peace of mind!
Maybe your blood pressure is low, this is a known side effect from minoxidil use. To make sure your blood pressure is below average you should buy one of these https://www.amazon.com/Omron-BP742N-Pressure-Monitor-Standard/dp/B00KPQB2NS/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_121_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=15CQBRYKSXKCMEEZSTRQ
My BP has been high at doctors appointments, and I've learned it is just me being there. My OB did tell me to take a baby Aspirin every day as a precaution since it is not super high. I did purchase my own BP monitor from Amazon this one and it saves the last 100 readings. I have never had protein in my urine but they do have it on my chart to monitor this and my BP closely.
Any of the omron series. As recommended by John Meadows in a podcast appearance.
Anyone here used a electronic BP cuff and can verify its accuracy? I was looking at this one on amazon and thinking of buying it in conjuction with a manual one also.
This is the one I use. It works well. I use it with the "My BP comapnion" iPhone app. It works well for showing youre history, averages, and charts out youre readings so you can see changes.
Thanks a lot for your answer. Side question.
I've purchased this blood pressure meter and the results it's giving me vary a lot from reading to reading. Is that normal? (i've gotten a range like: 142-121 & 69-75)
Get a blood pressure monitor, like this (http://www.amazon.com/Omron-BP742N-Upper-Pressure-Monitor/dp/B00KPQB2NS/ref=sr_1_4/189-4956941-8393361?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1427432283&sr=1-4).
I used to have the same symptoms and beyond only weighting 210 lbs, almost the same physical work and high streess (but in México).
Checked for my blood pressure and after one week of two times a day measuring, kidney ultrasound and heart ecograph, the doctor Dx as "high blood pressure", give me a daily pill Rx (Olmesartan ).
I have now two months without symptoms, my daily life is much better, no headaches, no wear out feeling after hard work day, not exausted, my sleep hours and quality have improved.
(english if not my first language, in case you fail to notice)
The pulse in your head (usually sounds like it's behind your eardrum) is likely related to elevated blood pressure. The fact that you are hearing your pulse in your head probably isn't serious on its own, although there are rare cerebrovascular (blood veins/arteries in your head) conditions that could have this effect -- this is unlikely though. However you should talk to your healthcare provider in detail about this for further assessment.
Exercise, diet and reducing alcohol all will definitely have an impact on both this problem and many preventable conditions that could occur in your future.
130/85 and 140/70 aren't terribly elevated, but it's best to get the measurement after you have been sitting down for several minutes (>10, preferably) without having exerted yourself prior (no running up 10 flights of steps) and without recent caffeine or nicotine use.
Do you take other medications? Some asthma medications and ADHD medications (among others) are notorious for causing elevated blood pressure.
I love the Mayo Clinic's database for patients on medical conditions -- it's always a reliable place to go for information. Try some of the lifestyle modifications they suggest here.
Maybe it's worth getting a home sphygmomanometer (don't worry, I can't pronounce it either), better known as a "blood pressure cuff/machine" from amazon or similar. Some are cheap, automatic and accurate. I've used this one with patients, before, but most reputable machines will work well -- check the user ratings to make sure people have found it accurate. Keep a record in the morning first thing and maybe when you get home at night -- same rules apply. Rest for 10 minutes and avoid caffeine, nicotine, alcohol. That log, along with info about your alcohol, caffeine and nicotine use (and any other medications taken) should be sufficient for your primary care provider to be able to counsel you on whether blood pressure medications are needed.
It also says "#1 Dr and Pharmacist recommended home blood pressure machine" for Omron. If thats wor
I'm looking at their different model line on Amazon right now. Seems like as you go up into the higher end models, the differences include more memory, wireless/bluetooth sotrage, a/c adapter included and a different cuff type.
The 3 and 5 series have a "Wide range D-ring" cuff type (quick google sounds like its easier to use by yourself, which is ideal for me). While the 7 and 10 series use an "easy wrap ComFit" (seems like its a more traditional cuff the nurses use that you'd need 2 hands to apply properly?)
The price difference between the 5 and 7 series is ~$6 so its not really an issue. I'm just wondering which cuff will be the easiest to work for me doing it solo
thanks for the reply
Omron BP742N 5 Series Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KPQB2NS/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_BQvUub1EWZ5BG