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What Causes Fluctuating Blood Pressure Levels?
Hello my name is Kevin, I have had high blood pressure since I was 17,now 55. I hate taking pills, Blood pressure med. is the only one I take . Lotrel 5/10. I would like to not take the pill I m in good health very active and my blood pressure is 120 to 130 over 80 with the pill, does not change much when I stop taking it,it can spike if I eat bad (sodium )which is not often to about 140 over 85. I have been taking readings daily and comparing it to my diet. Seems like my blood pressure is directly rated to my diet. Does this tell you anything, When I go in a sauna for 10 minutes every time my blood pressure drops to 95 over 65 and will stay there and creep up to 110 over 70 through the day,and still be low the next morning
Tue, 16 Jan 2018
Good Morning and Welcome to HealthcareMagic
Yes sir, this makes perfect sense. You are sodium sensitive. The sauna causes you to sweat thus losing sodium from your body and lowering your blood pressure from loss of fluid and sodium.Your blood pressure in sauna is dangerously low so keep drinking fluids while in sauna. Your blood pressure meds is a diuretic which causes you to lose fluid so the risk of going too low is very real in the prense of high heat/excessive sweating.
I understand that you may have taking pills but I guarantee you will hate what long term uncontrollable high blood pressure does to your heart, overall health not to mention your sex life.
If you were my patient I would consult with you on the DASH diet plan, on keeping your sodium below 2300 mg per day (or 1000mg) depending on pressure response and increase your aerobic activity. I would teach you to read labels and where to find hidden sorces of sodium as well as increasing your potassium intake from foods such as fruits. You may also need additional magnesium.
I hope I have addressed your query. I am available for personal consultation here at bit.ly/askkathyshattler should you wish more info on the nutrional treatment of hypertension that may lower your need for medication.
Have a healthy day, Kathryn Shattler BS MS RDN
Yes sir, this makes perfect sense. You are sodium sensitive. The sauna causes you to sweat thus losing sodium from your body and lowering your blood pressure from loss of fluid and sodium.Your blood pressure in sauna is dangerously low so keep drinking fluids while in sauna. Your blood pressure meds is a diuretic which causes you to lose fluid so the risk of going too low is very real in the prense of high heat/excessive sweating.
I understand that you may have taking pills but I guarantee you will hate what long term uncontrollable high blood pressure does to your heart, overall health not to mention your sex life.
If you were my patient I would consult with you on the DASH diet plan, on keeping your sodium below 2300 mg per day (or 1000mg) depending on pressure response and increase your aerobic activity. I would teach you to read labels and where to find hidden sorces of sodium as well as increasing your potassium intake from foods such as fruits. You may also need additional magnesium.
I hope I have addressed your query. I am available for personal consultation here at bit.ly/askkathyshattler should you wish more info on the nutrional treatment of hypertension that may lower your need for medication.
Have a healthy day, Kathryn Shattler BS MS RDN
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