Blood pressure

[Mtsoxfan]

I've never been a prescription drug fan. I have changed my lifestyle over the years to battle borderline cholesterol and now slightly high BP. I mean, both are so close to being not an issue. After my TIA last year, I was prescribed the lowest doses of drugs to combat them both. I have modified my diet, again, and I'm confident that my next physical/blood workup should take me off cholesterol meds. I know beets are great for BP, though my wife is just ok eating them. I'm looking for a beetroot powder I can take daily. I'm sure that would get me off BP meds. I've bought beetroot powder before and it tasted like dirt. I mean, I know beets have that earthiness, but this tasted like dirt. Couldn't finish 1 dose. Is anyone taking beetroot powder that they can recommend?

 

[RjCorazza]

No recommendations on beets, but isn't there a wide variety of beet products that may be more palatable?
What caught my eye on your post is that I also tried for several years to lower my high cholesterol, with insufficient success. I had to go on my first long term med (statin) to get the cholesterol under control at 63 years old.

 

[riptides]

BP - Exercise and meditation. As well as dietary changes. Not sure on the beet stuff, did not seem to help me. I love beets. Maybe I missed the magic combo cause there are so many factors in play.

 

[dodge man]

I’m also 63 and just went on BP and cholesterol meds. I know eating oatmeal is supposed to help plus I like it. The whole oat vs instant is suppose to be better.

My wife just went off the BP meds but is still on the cholesterol meds.

Don’t they make the beets in just a pill?

 

[QRTRHRS]

The Force Factor beet chews made no noticeable change in my BP. I did get sore spots in my mouth which went away when I did not keep using them. I have been on statins for I don't know, ten years maybe more. Currently, I am on Rosuvastatin. I had issues in the past with Atorvastatin and Simvastatin but it's been too long to remember the side effects.

 

[Tinhack]

My heart doctor put me on Metoprolol after my new valve in 2018. The dose was increased a couple of years ago. I keep getting good words on my check ups every year. Metoprolol blocks the effects of adrenaline (epinephrine) on the heart and blood vessels, leading to a slower heart rate, decreased force of contraction, and lower blood pressure, allowing the heart to pump more effectively with less oxygen. It has helped my BP but I still get spikes from too much salt or adrenaline producing activities--Like driving in rush-hour traffic in the big city. I'm 75 and retired. I don't need that stress.

 

[John0829]

I have been on BP and statins since my early 30's, my luck of the draw is it runs in the family (genetics) and the only thing that controls it, well somewhat controls it, are the drugs. Even with the drugs I still run to the high side on both. Diet and exercise have never gotten it down to safe levels where I could reduce the number of drugs.