High Blood Pressure and Cold

[xfilion]

This is up for discussion as it's something I came across this morning while researching a topic for the Ebola thread.

I found out, via the NHS, the mortality rate caused by excess winter deaths and flu rose in 2012-13. I wanted some figures for the discussion. This information is prepared by The Office of National Statistics and I would say it is accurate. 31000 people died during 2012-2013 of flu and cold weather/hypothermia related causes. It was one of the recognised causes that leaped out and, I hope, is applicable to consider in a prepping/survival situation.

The ONS determined that a proportion of the 31000 who died suffered a stroke because the cold/hypothermia affected their BP. In effect cold makes the blood thicker. Therefore if you have high BP, considering your vulnerability to hypothermia should be a factor in preparing your BOB, or other survival plan. Granted most of the deceased were elderly, however it is something that you cannot ignore if you do have a BP problem.

(The section of the report highlighting the effects of hypothermia on BP)

The report points out that the cold has various physiological effects on the body that may lead to death in vulnerable people. For example, previous research associated a colder home temperature with increased blood pressure. Another study found that cold causes the blood to become thicker, which could lead to blood clots (thrombosis). The cold also lowers immune resistance to respiratory infections.


Like me, those of us with high BP should, in a prepping/survival situation work at conserving a constant body temp backed up with a good supply of meds.

I really hope this has been helpful.

[hobo]

That's so helpful X!
Especially as I've had a stroke AND suffer from high BP.
In my EDC I have dissolvable aspirin!

Hobo

[xfilion]

Hi Hobo

I've also got a high BP. I'm really glad you found the topic helpful.

It's my first day on the forum and It really is nice to be able to voice an opinion without being shouted down.

Also it makes you think about how, without a crisis, your BP can be affected by the temperature of your home. I think I'll notch the thermostat up a few degrees.

On a more serious note if, like me, you get regular BP checks with your GP. It would be interesting to see the variance in cold and warm days and how it affects the reading.

[hobo]

Do you have your own BP monitor?

I was thinking of getting this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/Omron-Basic-Blo ... re+monitor

It has lots of really good reviews.

[xfilion]

Hi Hobo

That'll do the job well enough.

Can I give you a few pointers. I've been a nurse/medic for a lot of years and taken thousands of BP's. So I hope my history counts.

I've found even GP's don't take a good blood pressure, and sometimes their monitors haven't been calibrated for a while. Also the position of the cuff is very important, especially if you haven't taken your own BP before. Also the size of the cuff is important. I have a big arm and require an XL cuff to be sure the reading is accurate. Be sure when you take it your arm is fully supported and in line with your heart. I have always taken BP's on the left hand side, the arm nearest the heart.

Get your BP machine and book an appointment with your GP surgeries nurse, who should be able to show you the correct positioning of the cuff. That is vitally important to take an accurate reading.

Hope this helps.

[hobo]

Excellent! Thank you!

[ForgeCorvus]

X, Talking sense is always good, five posts or five hundred doesn't matter.

I knew about cold pushing up the blood pressure, but I didn't know that siting the cuff (and its fit) were important

[nickdutch]

Drinking Pu-erh tea each day can lower the blood pressure because the type that has been matured for 6 months contains Lovastatin that is produced in the bacteriological action of the maturation of the tea in storage. You have to drink it for (i think, so dont quote me) every day for 6 weeks to get that effect of lowering HDL cholesterol.
Using Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth as a psyllium (in water 20 minutes - one hour before a meal) is also reputed to have blood pressure improving and cholesterol lowering properties. A regular meditation regime on a daily basis can also help. If you can't meditate (and don't have epilepsy, migraine, serious cardio problems or other seizure complains) a mind machine, binaural beat generator (free software called "gnaural") can do the meditation training for you.

[hobo]

Drinking Pu-erh tea each day can lower the blood pressure because the type that has been matured for 6 months contains Lovastatin that is produced in the bacteriological action of the maturation of the tea in storage. You have to drink it for (i think, so dont quote me) every day for 6 weeks to get that effect of lowering HDL cholesterol.
Using Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth as a psyllium (in water 20 minutes - one hour before a meal) is also reputed to have blood pressure improving and cholesterol lowering properties. A regular meditation regime on a daily basis can also help. If you can't meditate (and don't have epilepsy, migraine, serious cardio problems or other seizure complains) a mind machine, binaural beat generator (free software called "gnaural") can do the meditation training for you.

I have a drum machine which can really kick out some beats.......

........seriously nickdutch, that's 2 new things I'm going to try.
i'm getting good at meditation - the second thing I did after my stroke 4 years ago (the first thing was try to dig over my new allotment) was to join a yoga class. My teacher focuses a lot on meditation/visualisation. I still love going to the class

[Decaff]

I think grapefruit helps with high blood pressure, useful to know if shtf and you can't get meds. But I don't think its recommended when you are taking some kinds of medications so speak to your doctor for advice first.