Hi, I have read here that some have either orthostatic low BP and high. Either way, they both can cause dizziness to varying degrees. About the BP home monitors- of which I do not have yet. I will get a 24 hour monitor in November. Sheesh, that's a long way off. I'm skeptical about the inflatable cuffs monitors and their accuracy. I have to go into a pharmacy to use one, which is attended by a pharmacist, strange. The first reading is always high, 140 over 85-95. I ask them to take it two more times. The reading changes. The Systolic is lower and the Diastolic is higher. On the third try, the Systolic is 118 - 122 over 80-85. It begs to ask the question of whether any of these readings are accurate. In your case, if you haven't already, ask her to take your BP three times. BP always fluctuates. It can be affected by stress, pain, simply having a nurse take your BP (white coat syndrome) and any exercise (in my case, simply walking to the pharmacy) and drugs or coffee. An "isolated" BP reading is not how a person's BP is all day or overnight. Three's a charm!

Hi Sammyloue,
I have high blood pressure also and have for many years. (I am currently 76.) However, my doctor put me on a medication called Amlodipine 5 mg. which has really helped my high blood pressure. Now it is almost always 120/74 and I feel great! You might talk to your doctor about it. Of course, it depends on your other medications and your current health condition. We are all different. My husband and I use an arm cuff blood pressure machine. We took it to the doctor’s to compare it with their blood pressure machine. Our machine read the same as the doctor’s.

The following things have helped lower my blood pressure also:
• Gatorade – It balances your electrolytes which are minerals that are very important for your body.
• Drinking lots of water. (6 large glasses a day.) It really does make a difference.
• Read the labels on your foods. Avoid any foods with a lot of preservatives, sodium nitrate or soy in them such as TV dinners or bacon. For instance, Lays Classic Potato Chips only have potatoes from Texas, oil and salt in them. Eat more natural items such as an apple, a banana, raw carrots and celery. Eat good quality meat. Your body needs extra protein when it's dealing with an illness.
• Reduce the stress in your life. Dairy products help reduce stress, if you can eat them. I prefer plain yogurt.

You mentioned that you get dizzy. I do too. However, it goes away quickly. I’ve been told that it comes with age. It helps if you slow down and don’t get up fast or turn quickly. You might want to look up the side effects of all of your medications on the Mayo Clinic website to see if any of the side effects cause dizziness. If any of them do cause dizziness, tell your doctor.

Also, keep in mind that you can change doctors anytime if you want. (You are paying the bill or at least your insurance which you pay for, is.) You don’t even have to agree to have that “Landmark Lady” come to your house. It’s your body and your money!

I hope these suggestions have been helpful and that things go well for you!
PML