Was Put on BP Meds After 5 weeks on Strict Keto

(Tennessee Viduya) #1

Something really scary happened today:

Took my mom to the ER due to heart problems. As I was waiting around for her to get done, I made friends with one of the ER nurses. She happened to be right next to a blood pressure machine During our small talk. She saw me glanced at the BP machine then she asked, “You wanna get your BP?” Then I said, “Sure, why not.”

See, My confidence was on the roof! I lost weight after 5 weeks of Keto. NEVER EVER had BP problems before. Generally, My health is pretty amazing. I was feeling great!

But no, the first reading was 186/135. And did several more throughout the day and readings jumped around with my first reading. She wanted to admit me! She highly recommended to get myself seen right then and there! I refused because, not only I was panicking and stressed out, I wasn’t having any symptoms. She said to call my doctor ASAP. I did.

I was asked by my DR to come asap. After we left the ER, I went to my Dr right away. After all the tests, labwork…

I am now taking Maintenance medications called lisinopril mixed with water pill. He said to stop doing Keto for two weeks.

You guys, I am so bummed, sad and feeling all the emotions right now. I thought I found my new way of eating for life. I need your input on this.

:disappointed_relieved::disappointed_relieved::disappointed_relieved:

#2

I am not a ‘doctor’, but here are my thoughts:
so first of all…BP can rise in stressful situations. you should perform measurements at home when relaxed.
secondly, could your electrolyte levels be out of whack or something else? (sea salt, mineral solutions etc)
do you use table salt? (if yes, replace with himalayan). do you use vegetable oils? (soy, corn)
my BP on keto is perfect. usually around 120/80. before keto it was very unstable.

(Allie) #3

I wouldn’t read too much into it at this stage, especially if you feel ok. You’re mom was in hospital with heart problems, that will have stressed you out and had an effect on your BP for sure.

Wait a few weeks, until things are less stressful, then get it checked again. Keep in mind though that the first few months on keto can result in unusual test results as your body goes through the adaptation process.

Hope your mom is OK.

#4

Agree with Shortstuff. Try the Himalayan salt, be sure and exercise.
I hope your Mom is better, that would get my B/P much higher.
Watch for other reactions/symptoms such as headache, dizziness,
visual disturbances. Get assistance immediately if that occurs. You
can still do a lower carb diet (less than 20 carb) while totally off Keto
(if directed). That way the you move back into full Keto it will be
easier. Just recommendations from a none Medical Doctor.

(Tennessee Viduya) #5

This morning I woke up, I immediately took my bp. It was 167/116. It’s still pretty high right?

Hi. I only used himalayan pink salt, coconut oil or evoo for cooking. I also replaced my regular water with Essentia water (good electrolytes content).

My dr said I might have overdone my salt intake. I really really want to stick with Keto because this did wonders to myself both mentally and physically.

I don’t know what to do.

#6

black seed oil can aid controlling BP.
increase your potassium levels (even from a supplement)
l-arginine is another amino acid which can help
I personally would stay away from any pharma/RX type of ‘help’, unless short term

#7

I think first thing in the morning is the worst time to check your BP. Mine is usually the best right after I’ve come in from mowing the lawn. Go figure.

Might want to wait about an hour or so before checking. Whenever you check, it needs to be consistent, same time, same conditions, standing, sitting, etc.

In the ER with your Mom is the worst time to check you BP. Anybody would be stressed, and have a high reading.

As far as the salt intake, I don’t know if that’s possible. According to “The Salt Fix”, just about everything we’ve been told about salt is wrong.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0451496965/

According to Dr. James DiNicolantonio, people with heart conditions should benefit from eating more salt.

I’m not a doctor, but what I’m learning about the knowledge doctors have on nutrition, makes me realize they’re far from being experts on the subject, and I’m very distrustful when they seem to want to just prescribe a drug.

I don’t see how eating keto could be the problem. If anything, it should help, in my opinion.

(Allie) #8

Great post @dlc96_darren
I was going to post about the book and podcasts as soon as I had a chance.

#9

Thanks. I should be working, but I wanted to be the first to mention The Salt Fix. :grin:

(Allie) #10

You saved me having to go find the info so all good :joy: I was checking my phone between leg day sets so you also saved me getting too distracted :grinning:

(Lisa) #11

How about magnesium? Very important in BP control.

(KCKO, KCFO 🥥) #12

Major cause of high BP. Stress, you were at the ER, your number was high, that stressed you out. Thank goodness your dr. didn’t blame your diet. Get the stress back under control and the numbers should come down, especially with the help of the meds.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/stress-and-high-blood-pressure/art-20044190

(Tennessee Viduya) #13

Thank you everyone for all the input. As much as possible, I don’t want to start any maintenance meds as this point in my life. I am 37 and really don’t have any type of health history. The more reason why am such in a panick mode now (Which I know is probably not good with my BP)

My Dr isn’t against Keto, he just tells me that I need to watch my sodium intake. I mentioned to him that I once had a sip of pickle juice. He immediately said, “Please don’t ever do that again.”

I don’t know what to believe. My Keto Morale is a bit low now. :disappointed_relieved:

("Don't call it calories, call it food") #14

I would give it a week of consistent monitoring. Measure the same time each day three times a day and chart it for a week.

If it stays high, I’m perhaps in the minority in saying that meds might be a good plan until you’ve been keto for a while and can work on dropping it naturally… But I am not an expert nor do I have high blood pressure (I’ve had low blood pressure most of my life, also a problem!)

(KCKO, KCFO 🥥) #15

The keto guideline is 1.5 teaspoon of salt daily. Are you using more than that. Again glad dr. is supporting you continuing keto.

Keep us updated.

(Tennessee Viduya) #16

Hi everyone!

Apparently, my Dr had a “no big deal” meeting with his colleagues (other drs) about my situation. He called me about 10 mins ago. After their meeting, it was unanimously voted that I shouldn’t take the meds that were prescribed just yet (thank God, I decided to wait after lunch before taking it).

They all said to limit the sodium for two weeks, completely eliminate if I can. And increase my Water. They asked me to take my BP around 1 pm everyday and log it, come back in 2 weeks and they will assess again. If my BP trend remains elevated after eliminating sodium, then they’ll put me on meds.

Sounds like a plan, don’t you guys think? I am a little less worried now. Thank you guys again for all your input. :slight_smile::slight_smile:

#17

I enjoy a little pickle juice from time to time.

(KCKO, KCFO 🥥) #18

Ok, if eating keto you are going to pee out a lot of your magnesium and potassium, since you will cut back on salt. You might want to supplement those. If you start getting muscle pains, it is a sure sign not enough of those minerals in your system.

I hope this all works out for you and don’t forget to work on that stress level.

(Running from stupidity) #19

TBH, it seems bizarre that anyone with a clue would offer to do this at that particular time. #strange

(Wendy) #20

He said that about a sip of pickle juice? He sounds morbidly afraid of sodium. Definetly read the afore mentioned book to do your own research on sodium. You can over do especially if you eat much processed or even fast foods but on a healthy keto whole food diet your sodium is much lower than a junk food diet and you also will naturally dieress. So you do need to make sure you have enough salt.
Why did he say you need water pills? That seems like a dangerous combo with keto. Watch for signs of dizziness.
Strange that the nurse would suggest checking your BP during such a
Stressful time. I hope she took it more than once. Hopefully the hbp was a fluke and you can come off the meds quickly. I think lisinopril can make it harder to lose weight.