MY Blood Pressure Went UP / myLot

United States

January 4, 2020 10:35pm CST

On December 31st I spoke to my dad on the phone, and he didn't sound right. I asked him if anything was wrong, and he said no. Well, I was right. The next day he tells me he was at Sam's Club, and the pharmacist staff noticed his blood shot eyes; so they took his blood pressure, and it was 178/122. They immediately told him to go to Urgent Care. Urgent Care took him in, and quickly worked to get his blood pressure down. He's now on medication for it, and will have to make lifestyle changes. This shocked me because he is 64, and doesn't even have high cholesterol. He never had high blood pressure, not even when my mom was battling dementia (a battle that went on for 8 1/2 years). He also had had a headache for six weeks. I had known he had headaches, but didn't know it was one continuous headache. My dad hates taking medication so I know he'll do what he can to be healthier. They told him he very easily could have had a stroke. It also reinforced in me how well I know my dad even if, at the time, he didn't know anything was wrong. In addition, I won't be telling him anything that might stress him out. It sure scared his wife. January first was their fourth wedding anniversary. I'm glad he lived to see it.

16 people like this

18 responses

Alex Socorro

@Alexandoy (65302)

• Cainta, Philippines

5 Jan 20

I don't know what to say. I am 65 and I have been continual headache the past days, maybe 5 days already. It scares me to think that this is something serious. When I monitored my blood pressure, it was 140/70 which is not normal but not alarming. Until now I am thinking if I need to consult a specialist.

2 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (121140)

• United States

5 Jan 20

Where is the pain in your head located?

Amber

@AmbiePam (121140)

• United States

6 Jan 20

@Alexandoy That sounds like a tension headache. It wouldn't hurt to give your regular doctor a call. Headaches shouldn't last a week. I wouldn't worry, but better safe than sorry.

Alex Socorro

@Alexandoy (65302)

• Cainta, Philippines

5 Jan 20

@AmbiePam it's somewhere at the back of the head and sometimes at the top.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

rakski

@rakski (156709)

• Philippines

5 Jan 20

I hope he feels better

2 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (121140)

• United States

6 Jan 20

Thank you.

1 person likes this

rakski

@rakski (156709)

• Philippines

6 Jan 20

@AmbiePam welcome

1 person likes this

louievill

@louievill (28846)

• Philippines

5 Jan 20

The Christmas and New Year holiday foods causes a lot of high BP on a lot of people, I wish that your dad is well soon, good it was detected right away.

2 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382542)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Jan 20

Wow, that was lucky your dad got treated when he did. I hope he is able to make the necessary changes.

2 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (121140)

• United States

6 Jan 20

I think this really got his attention.

1 person likes this

Darcy Nemo

@YrNemo (20254)

•

5 Jan 20

wow, your father is still pretty young. Good that he got treated in time.

2 people like this

Raj

@Butterfingers (66603)

• India

5 Jan 20

Headache is a sign of high bp but he should start to get good diet and exercise, walk and it will be back to normal

2 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (121140)

• United States

6 Jan 20

He gets lots of exercise, but his diet really needs improvement.

2 people like this

Heather Echola

@GardenGerty (169585)

• United States

7 Jan 20

I am glad that pharmacist was sharp. You do not have to have high cholesterol to have high blood pressure. Besides stress, things that you eat can cause high blood pressure though. At least for some people. Too much salt and sometimes too much caffeine.I hope he gets it figured out what is causing his problem.

1 person likes this

Amber

@AmbiePam (121140)

• United States

8 Jan 20

I meant because he is overweight, I thought he'd get high cholesterol before getting high blood pressure. I have high cholesterol so I assumed he would too.

Kareng

@kareng (80243)

• United States

7 Jan 20

Glad your dad had a good response to what they gave him. When I was sent over by my primary dr. I was given a medication that worked opposite on me. So instead of my blood pressure going down, it went up even higher. It was a good thing I was at the hospital!

1 person likes this

Dominique

@dodo19 (48198)

• Beaconsfield, Quebec

18 Jan 20

It's a good thing that the pharmacist noticed and said something. I do hope he gets better soon.

1 person likes this

Amber

@AmbiePam (121140)

• United States

18 Jan 20

Thank you. He does feel better now, and he's lost 12 pounds.

1 person likes this

Dominique

@dodo19 (48198)

• Beaconsfield, Quebec

18 Jan 20

@AmbiePam Wow, he lost quite a bit. I am glad to hear that he's feeling better.

1 person likes this

Juliaacv

@Juliaacv (56390)

• Canada

5 Jan 20

It was such luck that they noticed his problem and acted on it. High blood pressure can cause headaches, so be aware of that going forward, but headaches can also cause high blood pressure. When someone with a migraine has their b/p taken it will be elevated, but if he doesn't suffer from headaches or migraines generally, then I would suggest that his b/p is elevated. Did the urgent care centre offer him any dietary assistance in order to lower his blood pressure?

1 person likes this

Amber

@AmbiePam (121140)

• United States

6 Jan 20

He followed up with his primary, and they did. I have chronic migraines of course, and when it happens my blood pressure goes up. However, any other time I have low blood pressure. So did my mom.

1 person likes this

DianneN

@DianneN (254926)

• United States

7 Jan 20

I can imagine your blood pressure going up with that news! That was high and blood pressure can be a silent killer. Hopefully, change in diet or weight can help your dad. If not, meds can. Is he okay now?

1 person likes this

Amber

@AmbiePam (121140)

• United States

8 Jan 20

He is much better, thank you. He is on medication now, and although he gets plenty of exercise he is changing his diet now too. In addition, he would occasionally take Allegra D for his allergies, as his doctor prescribed. After this, the doctor told him not to take it because it can cause high blood pressure or make high blood pressure worse. I intend to keep any of my stress away from him. I do not want to make him worse, and I know he worries about me.

1 person likes this

Amber

@AmbiePam (121140)

• United States

13 Jan 20

@DianneN Thank you, so much.

1 person likes this

DianneN

@DianneN (254926)

• United States

9 Jan 20

@AmbiePam I didn’t know that about Allegra D, not that I take it. A change in diet also is the smart thing to do. If you need to, you can PM me any time. He worries about you only because he loves you. Share your problems with us instead of him.