High blood pressure - fluctuating numbers

Duncan Swain · 02-11-2011, 03:00 PM

Wasn't sure where to post this question, am looking for some advice on causes of high blood pressure and ways to reduce it.

Over the last couple of years I've had differing numbers for blood pressure but mostly trending high. In November last year they were 140/78, yesterday was up to 159/96.

Blood lipids, triglycerides and pulse rate numbers are all good:
Cholesterol (Fasting) : 4.8 mmo1/1
Trigliceride : 0.62 mmo1/1
HDL : 1.37 mmo1/1
LDL : 3.15 mmo1/1
Pulse - 56

Diet is ok, organic meat, some vegetables, eggs. Tho i do have some oats for breakfast and i do have dairy too - though all organic. Occasional cheat meal with bread or pasta (once a week max).

I take sodium valproate daily for migraines, I also supplement with fish oil, vit D, vit B, Zinc and Selenium.

Sleep is not good - 5.5 - 6.5 hours a night and a pretty stressful job with travelling between London and the US every 4-6 weeks or so.

Any help or advice gratefully received.

Garrett Smith · 02-11-2011, 08:39 PM

Fix your sleep (many ways to do that) or get a different job.

Your migraines could be related to dairy, wheat, or both. You won't know without complete avoidance of both for a good amount of time.

Duncan Swain · 02-12-2011, 12:47 AM

Thanks Garrett, how integral is sleep to lowering blood pressure numbers in comparison to other factors?

Grissim Connery · 02-13-2011, 04:00 PM

are those blood pressure values consistent or are they single episodes?
what's your sodium and fluid intake per day? how old are you? do you have any medical conditions that leave you at an increased risk for heart dz?

Garrett Smith · 02-14-2011, 05:56 AM

Have you looked at the side effects of sodium valproate?
http://www.rxlist.com/depakote-er-drug.htm

Hepatotoxicity (liver toxicity) is listed in the "black box" warning, this could relate to portal hypertension.

Also, hypertension is specifically listed in the side effects.

Duncan Swain · 02-20-2011, 10:01 AM

Hi Grissim,

Those blood pressure values aren't consistent, they tend to go up and down - but have trended high over the last couple of years.

Normally my diet is very low in salt, however, the night before the recent test with the 159/96 result, I had a high salt meal late and very little fluid. I'm also not a big water drinker on a daily basis.

I'm 45 with no other medical conditions that I'm aware of.

Garrett - thanks for the info, I have annual blood tests to check for liver function so hopefully the results will continue to be ok.