[Wissa]

I've never had symptoms like that. I'm in my low 60's. I used to have blood pressure readings close to your levels. I've never taken any medications for it. I increased the levels of fiber in my diet and started doing high intensity training (about fifteen minutes per week) a couple of years ago. Now my blood pressure averages about 120 over 75. Readings are higher in the morning and lower in the evening, but that's about where the average is. For myself, I'm not opposed to taking a medication (prescribed or over the counter) on a short-term basis for a specific problem, but I'll do whatever I can to avoid becoming a chronic prescription drug user. Too many side effects, which cause new problems requiring another round of drugs to treat the new symptoms.

I more or less follow the training program laid out in the Body by Science book by Doug McGuff. I'd recommend seeing if you can find natural ways to reduce your blood pressure so you can gradually cut back on the amount of prescribed medications you need to keep the blood pressure down. In general, doctors don't know natural. Doctors know diagnosis and then writing prescriptions to treat symptoms while giving practically no thought to the underlying CAUSE to those symptoms. The cause of your high blood pressure wasn't a deficiency of those drugs you're now taking.

[BrandtMichaels]

Rx BP medicine is derived from venom of the pit viper. I always remember the quote I found about how grandma was never the same and her health deteriorated quickly after she started taking the BP medicine.

My doc wanted to put me on the medicine - lately 180 over 120 but I got it down with weight-lifting, plus the South Beach diet which is also the most heart healthy diet around and easy to follow. Just switch to more fish and seafood, avoid the poisons - all processed foods! Minimize sugars, starches and carbs including fruit but esp. avoiding fruit juices. All meats and veggies are AOK. EVEN bacon and eggs everyday for breakfast if you want!