Hello,

Ever since a cervical steroid injection my blood pressure is staying at 140/90, it's usually normal.

Does anyone know if this should be treated with meds at this stage, 3 readings over a month have been 140/90.

Thank you.

Some doctors are using new criteria for borderline hypertension.

There are recommendations for the elderly that suggest not to treat borderline patients or too aggressively. But this is very new and not all doctors accept this.

It is really up to your doctor and you to discuss. Some people do get elevations from steroids and steroid injections. You could try some magnesium supplements (not oxide) and see if that helps.
Magnesium is depleted by steroids and this may be one reason the elevations occur with them. Try SlowMag--one tablet-- twice a day and see what happens or if any changes occur.

Thank you for your reply.

I've been taking Magnesium twice a day now for quite a long time, helps with sleep etc but will talk to the Dr next time I go in, Dr did not seem concerned a few weeks ago but I'm not sure if a 140/90 BP long term is a good thing so am a little worried.

Hey Sitke,
My husband has similar BP and thought the 140 is not the biggest issues the 90 is scary. Oatmeal will be of great help and any other high fiber foods. If you notice most foods and drinks have high amounts of sugars per serving. More then likely this is related to Cholesterol too. If you are able to get rid of all processed sugar from your diet and also removed all white from your diet it will help reduce these numbers. My husband uses fresh fruit in his oatmeal to not have such a bland taste, like bananas and blueberries. Looking at labels help you become aware of just how much sodium, cholesterol, and sugar you are consuming. Water is also the best to consume. If you are interested in what I have shared and want to know anything else or something more in depth feel free to get in touch with me on here. I am new here so I am still learning the site. I wish you the best of luck lowering your BP.

Hi BlueFox and thank you for your reply, actually just replied to your post.

Saw my Dr and this BP is now 155 over 90 (not sure of lower # but it's 90 or 90 something) Dr is putting it down to the pain I'm in but I'm still worried and went and bought my own BP kit to keep an eye on it

I am so careful with what I eat, no sugar, no white and very little processed foods. This BP has been higher after the steroid injection.

Hope your husband is okay and welcome to the board!

Havent checked the latest guidelines but 140/90 used to be borderline hypertensive. BP is dynamic though. Get a home BP cuff and check on your own. I'll bet it is lower!

Hi Sitke, My last hospital stay my BP was daily 90/50 or less. Then this last weekend I felt increased back pain and then had left chest pain, sweaty, clammy, short of breath and had my BP taken along with pulse. On 1st reading it was 138/90, 2nd reading 5 min later 157/90, 3 reading 10 min later 157/94 and then 20 min later 138/94. Pulse began at 82 and increased to 84. I had my BP taken today and it was normal 120/80 and pulse normal, they did an ECG and it also ok. What I can say is I was in a lot of pain and and was feeling very anxious. My GP says I had a severe anxiety attack and that with the increased pain was why my BP and pulse went up. I read your posts and wonder if it may seem worthwhile looking into.

Repeated BP measurement in the same arm, may not be accurate if done over a short time period. You need more than an hour between measurements.

If you take measurements in a sequence each one following is often higher than the last, as the arteries react to being compressed by the cuff.

Sitke,
I can attest that BP can be irregular with heightened pain levels. Have you had any recent cholesterol tests done? My husband has really high levels if HDLs and that causes his BP to be similar. I also bought him a machine to keep an eye on it and I have him check it twice a day while also keeping a record of it. Funny thing is, he had a recent procedure and had to fast as well as clean himself out and his BP was perfect before, after and later in the day. But, after he ate later in the night it was back to be high. So we have continued to battle his chol. and he eats regular oatmeal every morning and has become more aware of the foods he consumes esp. the processed foods.
Do you also think by chance it can be in combination with any medications you take aside from having the injection?
I do hope you find some answers

Thank you everyone

Yes, I was very anxious and in a lot of pain at my last Dr's visit. I'm so worried and thinking all kinds of things as this new pain in my left leg, foot and big toe is getting worse, woke up in the middle of the night as my big toe was tingling and had a sharp pain.

Also, yes, I have not thought about the meds I'm taking might be a cause, 2 muscle relaxers, Norco, Levoxyl, Wellbutrin. Going to ask Dr about it next time.

Had a full blood panel done a few weeks ago, all is normal.

Thank you again.