morning hypertension

[docrob]

I seem to have "morning hypertension." Early AM BP runs +/- 145/90. By early evening it's down to +/- 115/78. I'm 6'2" weigh 187 (target weight between 162 & 180 -- I'm getting there,) carbs strictly <30 -- no cheating, exercise 30+ minutes per day, age 73. Take 160 mg Diovan, no other meds, no other health problems. Anyone with similar problem, and any suggestions, please?

Dr. Rob

[Roadstr]

The FDA has approved a device to help with hypertension. You can do the same thing without the device, RespeRate (http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2001/D/200114118.html)... it's just deep breathing.
Deep breathing reduces BP and to make it more interesting you can perform pranayama, with this method you hold your right thumb against your right nostril and breath in... then hold your two fingers against your left nostril and breath out your right nostril and then breath in... breath out your left nostril and repeat for 15 minutes.

[laughingW]

What changed to bring it on? When did you notice, how long has it lasted?

Do you have elevated morning pulse and fasting blood sugar?

What kind of exercise? Intensity level? Have you ruled out overtraining?

[Flowergirl]

Have you been tested for sleep apnea? You may want to have a sleep study done. I noticed that my bp was high in the mornings some years back and at the suggestion of my family doc had a sleep study....yep the loud snoring should have given me a hint! Lack of oxygen could be your problem. BTW deep breathing often helps my bp level out to normal. If you have apnea, there are several approaches but the most helpful is to use an apap or cpap machine which sends a stream of air to keep your airway passage open throughout the night. It results in a restful night's sleep (once you are over the learning curve of using the machine and get a comfortable mask) and improvement in health for many. T