What are /r/hypertension's favorite Products & Services?

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Been cooking out of this book lately - lots of good recipes in here.

Pick a few recipes at the beginning of the week, make a grocery list, do the shopping, then cook and eat them. The book is centered on cooking for 2 people, but most of the recipes will reheat at least pretty well if you wanna got for leftovers.

I use this app to track BP (and weight)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.szyk.myheart

It has nice report section which can be printed out to submit to doc in every visit

I am successfully cured of hypertension in the last 6 months by using all of these together, 1) Calorie deficit 2) OMAD 3) 45 mintues of cardio at 80% max heart rate, which is (80% of =220 minus your age) 4) reduction of weight due to above 3 which resulted in a BMI of 33 to 23.8

Eat normally now, and do cardio of 20 minutes plus weight training 6 days a week.

The doc have weaned me off the meds looking at my optimal BP numbers. male/46 years

I like traditional medicinals organic hibiscus.

At Kroger, I found a decent hibiscus/cinnamon tea (Private Selection Brand)

First always have your doctor run tests to rule out any possible metabolic reasons why this is happening but mostly make sure your sleep hygiene is a good one this means sleeping mostly when dark out, going to sleep and waking up “around” if not at the same time

Why? This helps you reach optimal rest and repairing level. Not sleeping well can cause anxiety and jack up your nervous system. You practically start your your body at a surplus the days you don’t sleep well.

Also stay hydrated 7-11 glasses depending on what your body needs is crucial!

Consume a bit more potassium then sodium. Keep on eye on that a lot of foods are loaded with sodium yes even so called healthy meals.

Do some type of activity you don’t have to be an athlete or gym rat. Just don’t be sedentary for a bunch of hours. Track your steps for the day work your way up slowly anything is better than nothing the trick is not to kill yourself to get that consistency for years to come. 5k-12k steps a day is fine but if you reach less is ok.

Lastly everything is number’s in life. Buy a bp cuff and LOG YOUR ReADINGS at home about an hour after waking up (not after eating or exercising)

I use this log book, it’s cheap and gives me a complete year’s worth of logging. I write the year and have it in hard copy incase I loose my phone etc.. tracking over time gives you an accurate picture of were your truly at.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B46NZ7DT

I have 2 monitors, the Omron is pretty consistent just runs a bit high on the diastolic but the same--like 5 points or so--every time. And the cuff size is pretty generous, almost too big for my smaller arm. I like my Medline monitor more as I can hear the heart beats, easier to track palpitations; and the cuff fits me better too.

If you don't want to shell out $100 I Just got this https://www.amazon.com/Konquest-KBP-2704A-Automatic-Pressure-Monitor/dp/B077CXGSJW has 24k ratings almost 5 stars. I think it is the best selling BP on Amazon.

Sorry you are in a situation where you need to buy one, but I hope whatever you get can help you to manage your bp. Good luck and take care.

I bought this Greater Goods home blood pressure monitor: https://www.amazon.com/Greater-Goods-Pressure-Monitor-Balance/dp/B00N9I63PG a year ago and it's truly excellent. It's accurate, easy to use, has a memory for two users, not complicated—all in all, well designed, well thought-through product.

I published a book last month on Amazon that should help you. Basically you can open up your life if you know how your mind works. By opening up your mind, you can get rid of the anxious thoughts that are raising your blood pressure. BEING ME BEING FREE explains everything with simple words and pictures. Change your thinking, change your life! Learn more here. Change for the better is possible, and easy if you know what's happening in your mind. Good luck!

I have been intermittent fasting and working out since january. Did the whole "New years resolution" thing, but its clear to me that i have to actually stick with it instead of dropping it when the summertime comes again.

I have a blood pressure monitor that i bought so theres no real "Teaching" that needs to be done. just follow the instructions on the cuff.

I bought this one
https://www.amazon.com/Care-Touch-Automatic-Pressure-Monitor/dp/B01JPRM9LG

Just wait. Try to only worry after having an actual confirmation of anything.

As far as you know you're only feeling bad or sick.

Try to rest and get some extra sleep. I recommend practicing mindfulness.

Whole Food Plant Based is your answer.

Start here -

Prevent And Reverse Heart Disease: The Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven, Nutrition-Based Cure https://www.amazon.com/dp/1583333002/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_7R947DAZDK02GER1BHPA

Lots of other books on the subject. Checkout nutritionfacts.org for fact-based evidence of the benefits of a Whole Food Plant Based Diet.

Watch documentaries like *Forks over Knives", "What the Health" and "Gamechangers" if you aren't big into reading.

Weight loss is simple. Burn more calories than you consume and you will lose weight. Consume more calories than you burn and you will gain weight. That's it.

The best diet is one you can stick with forever (and I do mean forever). For me, I mostly cook meals out of a DASH diet cookbook and a low cholesterol cook book. I track my weight, what I eat, and my exercise with https://cronometer.com/ and try to make sure I maintain the approximate calorie deficit that I need. I also use it to track my sodium intake as salt is to be avoided with high blood pressure. It also tracks other nutrients you're eating as well, so over time you can kind of get an idea of what you are/aren't getting enough of in your diet.

Good luck.

These helped me a lot

Swanson Olive Leaf Extract Capsules with 20% Oleuropein - Provides Immune Support, Promotes Cardiovascular System Health, and Supports Healthy Blood Pressure - (120 Capsules, 500mg Each) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0056Z01GW/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_1GR43QPCWPCS31VMCB05?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I forget all the time!!! I have one of these https://www.amazon.com/Weekly-Organizer-Planner-Countoured-Removal/dp/B0096SRB68/ref=zg_bs_3776431_9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=5XV03XBCR9YF5J4C3K0X

Might feel a bit geriatric, but personally I dont care 1 bit

Consider using good blood pressure tracker. It doesn’t take your BP, and it’s not connected to the monitor, but it allows you to log your BP readings, monitor trends and share your data with your provider. The reporting mechanism is excellent and will help tell your story. I can’t stress enough how important this was for my own diagnosis. When you give the doctor data, your symptoms cannot be minimized or denied. It’ll take the guesswork out of your diagnosis and most of all it will help you avoid being medicated if you really don’t need to be. It will do the same if you truly do need to be medicated in order to minimize your risk factors associated with HTN

Here is a tool for an (android only) app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aadhk.lite.bptracker&hl=en_IN&gl=US. There may be a small one time cost associated with it, but it will be worth it.

Here is another app for the iPhone (this is what I’ve used for the past 6yrs). https://apps.apple.com/us/app/blood-pressure-companion/id458537528

Both of these apps have free versions. The paid versions come with a minimal fee and allows you to export (print & email) reports in PDF, HTML or CSV formats.

Follow a new subreddit called rHypertensionAdvocacy for more helpful information and resources. This information that I shared is actually from this sub. I post many resources there. I hope you find this helpful.

Also, I have bought BP monitor and checking at home everyday. When my day gets absolutely crazy It goes till 150/98 other times it has been 130/90 - average one week. I got This one: LAZLE Blood Pressure Monitor - Automatic Upper Arm Machine & Accurate Adjustable Digital BP Cuff Kit - Largest Backlit Display - 200 Sets Memory, Includes Batteries, Carrying Case https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WCQVV71/ref=cm_sw_r_u_apa_fabc_DKNE6GZMESAY582NK1Z9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

This list comes from a recipe book: DASH Done Slow: The DASH Diet Slow Cooker Cookbook by Karen Frazier

OK, well, if this is "normal" for you then you should know that this isn't "normal".

If your anxiety does this shit to you at all hours of the day, then it's time to take charge and handle it, because I can tell you at more than double your age it won't get any better for you. You BP will continue to go up, and your anxiety will continue to be an issue until you fall apart at some point.

Counseling is a HUGE help. CBT therapy is great for anxiety and depression. You might want to give this a read: https://www.amazon.com/Feeling-Great-Revolutionary-Treatment-Depression-ebook/dp/B08FRSQHFP

Dr. David Burns also has a good podcast that I found very helpful.

If you don't handle anxiety and depression, it will handle you.

Fyi Omron support got back to me and they only make XL cuffs for their professional monitors. I ended up getting this Lifesource model on Amazon. Seems reputable, but runs a little pricey at $135. Sold at major retailers too.

I have the same exact problem. I agree with everyone else who suggested buying an at home blood pressure kit. I got this one on Amazon and it’s great. It’s not a wrist cuff and it even came batteries. It wasn’t expensive and the device saves your readings which is helpful!

My doctor recommended I check my blood pressure every other week. (It’s currently under control with weight loss and a diuretic which is why he only recommends every other week) he recommended going to a pharmacy or grocery store to check my blood pressure but I even get nervous there. All I can think about is times in the past when I’ve gone there and it’s been high and it stresses me out.

So I ordered the at home one, and my routine is this: every time I go to take it, I make sure I’ve had a lot of water that day, haven’t eaten anything crazy high in sodium (well that’s the goal every day now!) and I’m taking it before I’ve had my coffee. I sit on my couch for about five minutes, chill and scroll on my phone on mindless stuff. Then after that, I do a quick, five minute meditation to clear my brain from stressing about my blood pressure. I sit with my arm on the arm of my couch, nice and relaxed, arm facing up and I have my blood pressure taken with calming music playing. Over the top? Yup 😆 but it works! It’s significantly higher at doctors offices, and my heart rate isn’t crazy high like it is when they’re taking it at the doctors. Good luck!

Pranayama. I was using Health through Breath app for it. I also tried Headspace guided meditation for 6 months, and also saw no results.

I'm back to trying breathing meditation, but not for BP, and I eliminated the holding breath stage of the exercise, just in case that might raise BP.

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!