u/PermissionStock6803

42M here. Moderately active. 7-15k steps a day with my dogs. Weight lift 2-3 times a week. 90% mediterranean diet. Pizza slice here and there. Vegetable smoothies almost daily. Hibiscus tea daily. Beetroot powder daily. Drink 100+ ounces of water daily. Drink light beer on weekends (4-8) Don't smoke. High BP does not run in my family. At healthy weight (6'5" tall - 215lbs)

I have always been a bit anxious since I was a child and to this day I wake up anxious. I was told to take my readings in the morning by my doctor when performed at home.

Everytime I go to the doctor in the afternoon my BP readings are around 122/85. All blood work is normal.

When I test at home with my electronic arm monitor I get 140/90 give or take in the mornings.

I am confident I perform the test correctly. Sit for five minutes quietly. Elevate arm to heart level with pillows. Make sure to position cuff correctly and so on.

I went to a cardiologist a year ago because I was concerned. He performed a EKG, stress test and echo and looked at my history. He said "its okay to have high blood pressure readings, but you just do not want high readings all day everyday. Your young, your healthy, go live your life."

I try my hardest to believe him and put my BP monitor away for a long time because I kept getting high readings at home and was freaking out. Health anxiety does run in my family. I recently started taking it again and it still shows around 140/90.

My dad is 79 and walks 2 miles a day and always checks his BP when he gets home and its around 120/80. He eats mostly steaks, butter and rolls and popcorn. Not fair!

Not sure if I should just believe the doctor(s) and live my life or if I should see different doctor(s) or do additional tests?

Thanks for your input.

Jeff

Seattle, WA

42M here. I began getting very cold hands and white finger attacks a year ago. Went in for extensive blood work and autoimmune testing and everything is normal.

A friend of a friend is a Naturopathic doctor and asked if I use mouthwash which I had been doing. He said it kills the bacteria which produce nitric oxide which effects blood vessels.

Matter of fact, I looked through my Amazon order history where I get my Oral B mouthwash and it turns out I began using it exactly one year ago which was the time I started getting cold hands and attacks out of nowhere. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I quit using mouthwash two months ago and my hands are noticeably warmer and I have had zero attacks since. Before, I would get attacks almost weekly. Also, my fingertips are no longer pruny like they have been for the past year. I don't even need to worry about wearing gloves for my nightly walks with my two dogs anymore.

That being said, my breath could sure use mouthwash every morning. Scraping my tounge and brushing certainly helps but nothing like mouthwash would do.

I see they have alcohol free/natural mouthwash on Amazon which is considerably more expensive than Oral B but would like to give it a try. My doctor friend said stay far away from any antiseptic mouthwash but it does not state on the listing if it is or not. I've attach a picture.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Jeff

Seattle, WA

BP readings at home high. At doctor low. Went to cardiologist

I quit mouthwash and havent had any attacks since. Can I switch to a natural mouthwash?