Netofficer:
I'm a retired BP specialist at the Mayo Clinic Rochester. Several things:
BP measurement:
1. Store devices are NOT accurate at all, do not bother checking your BP there. Wrist devices are also poor on average, we use them only in morbidly obese patients and women with mastectomies.
2. Get a home cuff. when using a home cuff the numbers are only meaningful if you do the following;
a. get your device checked by a nurse as being accurate for you
b. make sure cuff is the right size.
c. you need to sit and rest for 3-5 minutes, feet on the floor right arm on a table and then take three readings one minute apart. your blood pressure is the average of the three.
Some devices will even average the three for you.
Why, because this is how BP risk was determined in past studies so if your BP is 180/100 you know what your risk of stroke and heart attack is based on that BP.
Therapy
Lisinopril is good start. 20 mg is usual full dose, if after 2 weeks, BP at home not less than 135/85 (normal BP at home) then you should be advanced to that dose. then after two weeks at 20 mg if still not below 135/85 and not allergic to sulfa, hydrochlorthiazide is usually added first 12.5 mg then 25 mg.
This is cool as its cheap, effect and comes as a combined pill (both drugs, one tablet). Total drug cost less than $10/month.
DASH Diet: Diet Approach To Stop Hypertension is a Low Salt, Low fat diet which when combined with exercise and weight loss can reduce your need for BP medication.
Finally if you want to email me your address, I have an old home BP that I believe still works that I can send you. graves.john(at)mayo.edu
John