Hi! I was diagnosed as having chronic hypertension after the birth of my sixth child. I am on a really low dose of nifedipene. My question is this: How did switching to this WOE affect your hypertension? Were any of you able to get off meds?

I don't know if my BP lowered from low carb or increased exercise, but it went down significantly.

mine went completely normal

Eat low carb, but don't over eat and your bp will dramatically drop...

Mine dropped even before I had lost much weight.

When I eliminate dairy, grains, excess salt and most fruit, my bp is at a very good level. For me the secret seems to be in using olive oil, a little butter, animal protein (no salty cured meats) and lc veggies and salads...no frankenfoods (no dressings other than homemade unsalted olive oil and vinegar or lemon juice). When I add other things bp goes right up again. Terry

Because this diet is a natural diuretic, your blood pressure will go down. Be very careful to track your sodium, too.

If you get the 'squishy head' syndrome, get you bp taken. You might be dropping too fast.

It's great that they caught it and you're on meds. Take my word for it.

Pennink what is "squishy head syndrome?" Terry

When my bp drops too low, I feel it in my head. I see stars if I move to quickly and I just feel a though someone is pinching my head. I can't seem to get clear.

I did have it a bit when my bp was too high, too. So, either way, if you feel strange... get it checked fast. I have been thinking about buying my own cuff and monitor.

BTW, Mark Twain is right. I edited medical books and the stuff that we noticed after the printing... oy!

I didn't have hypertension, but my BP went down. A nurse told me that's common when weight is lost. When I got down to a normal weight I discovered I take after my mother who has low BP.

If you give blood they give you a free blood pressure check.

According to what I have read in the Atkins book, excess insuline in the blood increases your blood pressure. When you go low carb, your insuline level decreases and so does your blood pressure.

that's interesting, too Sadlady...

How are you? I saw you on the CHF board.

I also switched from table salt to organic sea salt. It goes a looong way as it is so much more flavorful that processed table salt. And, I'm told the minerals in the sea salt are very beneficial. Do not eat enriched or bleached white anything!

I also switched to sea salt. Much tastier.

My "borderline high" BP is now "perfect."