Blood Pressure

**LiesaAnna** · 19-09-2005, 11:48

my blood pressure was higher then expected when i had my knee looked at, saw the practise nurse, (have known her for so long more like a friend,) and it is still very high,
i get so flappy before boarding the plane and even more so once on board, but the blood pressure even tho i take medication for it twice a day is still high,
i have got a medical certificate for travel insurance and the company knows of my problems, is there anything else i can do for self help?????
relaxation tapes??? would they help???
any ideas would be so welcome!!

**Katys Grandad** · 19-09-2005, 11:57

Liesa

Have you taken specific advice from your nurse/GP?

As a fellow sufferer, I sincerely hope you don't have a problem but you might be wise to check with both your nurse and the insurers if your readings are a bit high at the moment. If you give insurers the chance to reject a possible claim because you haven't kept them informed they are likely to take it. I had to consult a doctor in Florida a couple of years ago because my readings were high. The cost of the consultation and prescription was over $400 and this fell below my excess so it came out of my own pocket.

I was advised that travel socks might help and have used them ever since. Whether they do anything or not I can't tell but so far so good!

**Macka** · 19-09-2005, 12:13

Yes Liesa, use the travel socks, take an aspirin an hour before you fly (if you're ok to take them) and get an ipod or mp3 player with some soothing music on it for sure, and let your family know to leave you alone to relax for a time. The only time Mrs. Macka and I get cranky with each other is at either end of a holiday when we're travelling, it's just rather stressful.

Imagine yourself in your villa rather than travelling to it.[8D]

**LiesaAnna** · 19-09-2005, 13:08

i always use travel socks, and have only recently booked travel insurance, before my op, and before i knew of it, am hoping its just post op stress?
am being monitored by the nurse for weight and blood pressure so she wiil read it a couple of times more before we go, maybe i will have to take an extra tablet for flying???
thanks all xx

**CarolAnn** · 19-09-2005, 16:04

Don't laugh at me Liesa, but due to health problems I practise Reiki meditation, in simple form, each night before I sleep, I just focus on my whole body and imagine a white light is running through me, in a sort of cleansing, relaxing way! It has been very helpful this last year (esecially for any stressful or anxious times!) Worth a try [msnwink]I was a sceptic(?) real fan now!!!

**Macka** · 19-09-2005, 16:07

[laugh][laugh][laugh][laugh][laugh][laugh][laugh][laugh][laugh][laugh]

**fiona** · 19-09-2005, 16:17

Keep on with the diet and whatever exercise you can manage Liesa. In 3 months despite only losing 5lbs my blood pressure came down from very high and I am now borderline having to keep on the bp tablets. So if I have come down in another 3 months I can come off them, and it can't come quickly enough as I get dreadful leg cramps with them and am now having to take quinine!

On the plane try and do those exercises where you move your legs around - BA have a channel devoted to it. Anything that keeps you calm is a good idea, might be worth having a look at Carol Ann's suggestion.

**KevinT** · 19-09-2005, 16:18

Liesa,
Having had high blood pressure for many years (fortunately well under control now , thanks to two tablets a day) I can sympathise with you. See if your friend/nurse can offer any good suggestions. The nurse practitioners at our local GPs now deal with blood pressure and diabetic conditions, and since going to them I've had more attention and tests than when I used to visit the GP !!
I was advised by them to take a low dosage aspirin every day.
I've tried relaxation tapes/Cds but usually nod off while listening to them !! [zzz][zzz]
Paul McKenna does some good ones.
Only other suggestion to lower blood pressure is to lock Russ in his room !!

**LiesaAnna** · 19-09-2005, 19:45

hes a bit bigger then me and scares the pants off me!! its probably due to him that i have high blood pressure[msnwink][msnwink][msnwink][msnwink][msnwink]
only joking!!![msnwink]
will talk to the nurse on wednesday morning see what advice she has to offer!!