Blood Pressure and Aging - the surprising answer

My old doctor had strongly pressured me to start blood pressure medication (144 systolic). Doing so would have required repeated doctor visits and monitoring. He pooh-poohed my suggestions that maybe I could try things like losing weight, first. He said that as you age, blood pressure tends to go up, and stay up. I was 65, then. I declined his advise about blood pressure meds , yet took him seriously. I got a blood pressure monitor and started taking 3 readings, every week. I started watching things like caffeine and sodium more, went mostly vegetarian, shed over 15 pounds, starting taking more natural things that lower blood pressure, like garlic. My blood pressure went progressively down for 7 years in a row, now age 72, and systolic under 120. The blood pressure med that my doctor had wanted, soon had a recall for a carcinogen contamination. I had seen reviews from people who had used it, saying they felt 20 years younger when they stopped taking it, that it had caused fatigue and drowsiness (highly dangerous if you are driving highways). My personal advice is to take your doctor seriously, but not follow blindly, Try the natural approach, first, if it is not an actual emergency.

Good video, but I think there is an obsession with blood pressure these days. To me, being healthy is more important. Getting exercise and plenty of sleep. Having a good diet and less stress in your life. Trying to get your blood pressure down to 120/80 just causes anxiety and stress in your life.

I’m 74, male, and for years my BP was normal according to doctors. But over the past couple years when I’m at a doctor appointment it goes up pretty high, so my primary care doc had me take my BP at home 2-3 times a day and report it to him after two weeks. It was normal. Some offices are using those crappy wrist band cuffs to take BP and those are really inaccurate. I think the way medical staff takes BP readings is after you hurry to get there, sit in waiting for awhile, then rush into the exam room and start asking questions while the BP is being taken will of course give a high reading especially if a wrist cuff is used. I’ve had readings that if real, blood should be spurting out of every orifice! Those readings could lead to excessive prescriptions given for hypertension when they’re not necessary. I’ve refused to use any of those drugs because I don’t think based upon my testing I don’t have hypertension.

I've had issues with blood pressure for decades, and doctors just tell me what to take and let me go home. So, I keep searching for answers on my own, and now, for the first time in my life, at age 68, I finally understand... Thank you! 🙂

I’m 87 & have 122/81 this morning!

Nicely explained. Before 4 decades, was taught that normal blood pressure=age+100.Am 64,fit and fine, with B. P 130/80.

My husband blood pressure is very low. He used to say it was because he was fit, until he kept on fainting. He ended up in hospital, where they found out the very low bp was due to the eye drops for his chronic glaucoma.

I'll be 70 in March. Was on BP meds for last 6 yrs. Went Carnivore 8 weeks ago, weaning myself off of them as I ate better. My BP is now LOWER, then it was when I was on the meds! I feel great! Full of energy, losing weight, excited about life, and can't wait to get back in the saddle and onto the trails in the spring! Thanks for your videos. Easy to understand and very encouraging. 👍

So good that I watched twice back to back! Thank you, Dr. Story 👍🏽

Doctor, it is three months since I started watching your videos. I brought down my BP from 90/140 to 80/120 by regular breathing exercise and brisk walking. Thank you so much for your advice.

You explained everything so well. You're a good teacher.

I have to thank you for your information about reducing blood pressure. I took your advice regarding consuming beets and altered my diet slightly. About a six weeks ago, I started drinking Super Beets every day and reduced the amounts of carbs I was consuming. Low and behold, my blood pressure dropped to the safe levels that I do not need to take blood pressure med per my doctor's suggestion.

Thank you for your indepth explanation on this topic.

May God Bless you doctor. After all the rubbish they wanted us to believe your words are the best symphony ever.

Last year seeing my cardiologist, he said that the blood pressure numbers standard had changed for seniors… going back to the 40-50 year old range. And next sentence he said I should increase my Irbesartan to 75 mg to reach the new standard. Now I’m thinking this might be a pharma thing?

Wow, what a magnificent explanation! Thank you so very much! I myself had to lower my meds because my blood pressure was too low and I was very dizzy! Now I have discontinued all forms of sugars and still taking only one tab but looking to be able to discontinue the med all together. Again, thank you for such a great explanation!

I always like your videos they are very informative and better than most of the videos online because you help us live a healthier life!

Thank you for explaining this very clearly.

Oh my, ty so much for explaining about Bp so clearly, & calmly. I feel so enlightened! 😃This is so helpful for me! All the best to you & yours! Tks again!

Thanks Dr Story. I’m 70, normal weight, exercise daily, and eat well, no junk. I do Art if Living meditation and breath practice daily (mostly 🤣). My systolic BP is affected by stress due to my living situation. I have found hibiscus tea, magnesium and a less than recommended dosage of GABA to be helpful.