DOT physical next week, how to get blood pressure down?

I don't think anybody but a physician is qualified to say yes or no about meds. I think if you have BP problems you should go see your physician ASAP, make sure this physician knows everything about your lifestyle and diet. As has been stated here meds can and do have side effects, but your physician might want to put you on some till lifestyle and diet changes can bring your BP down naturally. My physician did something much like this with me. I am now not on BP meds. My BP runs around the 120/78 to 130/80 range without meds now. Get as much exercise as you can and eat a low sodium diet. This means as little fast food as you can and limit processed foods to. White coat syndrome is another matter. My physician said this can add 10 to 20 points to the top number and as much as 8 to 12 on the lower number. If you think this might be a problem talk to your physician. I have a terrible problem with this. On my last physical my physician gave me a small prescription of Lorazepam to take the night before. I did this when on home time and it helped me with my problem and there was NO danger from the side effects.

 

My guys used to drink pickly juice and mustard. it was retarded.

 

This is a very true statement indeed. However, the way of the world now I do question some physician's intentions when prescribing medications.

 

I thought the pickle juice was for the other test not the bp test LOL

 

From the Mayo Clinic regarding tomato juice and high blood pressure:

There is some evidence that short-term treatments of lycopene may reduce blood pressure. More research is needed, especially to examine the long-term effects of lycopene on blood pressure.

 

Pomegranate juice is very good for HBP. The purer, the better.

 

There are many significant possible side effects from Lorazepam, as there are with all central nervous system depressants prescribed to treat anxiety. For example, it may cause drowsiness, trouble with thinking, trouble with controlling movements, or trouble with seeing clearly. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert or able to think or see well.

 

This is why I waited till on home time and did not drive any the day of the physical. I got a ride from hotel to the clinic and back. I could have drove I guess, but decided to just chill that day and sleep.

 

I'm not kidding about my problems with white coat syndrome. It's so bad my physician has me taking my own BP readings from time to time and he goes by them not the readings from his machine. I saw him in Oct I took my BP that morning and it was 119/77 and at his office an hour later it was 165/105. I know a RN who I get to check mine from time to time to check my own readings against, they match. Once I get into that doc's office my BP shoots up.