How should I control my BP in winter?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 35 year old male. In winter, My BP increases to around 160/105 mmHg; however, in summer, it is normal at 130/90 mmHg. I do not feel any problems yet such as headache. Now, I feel some shortness of breath. How should I control my BP in winter season? I have already started taking less salt and eating raw garlic in the morning. I have not taken any medicines, yet to control BP. I do not want to start any regular medicines at this age. In my family, my mother also has high BP. Please tell me some ways to cure or control my BP. Here are my details. Height - 5 feet 9 inches, weight - 69 kg, body fat - normal, BMI - normal, kidney function test - normal and ECG - normal. My lipid profile is on the higher side, but not very high. Only HDL and LDL are out of range. HDL - 34 mg/dL and LDL - 114 mg/dL. All other things are in the range, but on the higher side.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I had gone through all the details posted. To determine if your blood pressure rises during winter, it's essential to record it multiple times while avoiding hot beverages, smoking, and maintaining a calm state. If there's uncertainty, considering ambulatory blood pressure monitoring can confirm hypertension. If diagnosed with high blood pressure, starting with therapeutic lifestyle changes such as a low-salt diet, avoiding tea and coffee, regular exercise, and increasing fruit and vegetable intake is crucial; these measures can lower BP by around 10 mmHg. A non-pharmacological management will be attempted for 2-3 weeks, and if the pressure remains elevated, medication may be necessary. Tablet Cilnidipine 5 mg in the morning is a suitable option if medication is required, but please consult your doctor and obtain consent before starting any treatment.