Plus Size Forum

I'm getting symptoms of high blood pressure.

I quit drinking alcohol and quit smoking (and vaping) years ago and that helped out a lot. However, now I'm getting older, and things are changing.

I pretty much have two options: Lose around 60 pounds or go on medication.

I hate taking pills. But losing 60 pounds isn't easy as we all know.

What would you do?

I would take the medication but work on trying to lose weight at the same time. The medicine will help lower your blood pressure, but eventually if you do lose the weight your doctor will take you off the medication if your blood pressure goes back to normal levels.

Are you drinking a lot of coffee/caffeine? That ups it as well.

Oh yeah I didn't even think about drinking caffeine, it gets your heart going so it makes sense it could also contribute to high blood pressure.

Demon_skeith wrote: Thu Sep 25, 2025 6:27 am Are you drinking a lot of coffee/caffeine? That ups it as well.

I drink 2 cups of black coffee every day. I'm not sure I can quit coffee. It's my vice.

HikerShawn wrote: Mon Sep 29, 2025 6:06 pm

Demon_skeith wrote: Thu Sep 25, 2025 6:27 am Are you drinking a lot of coffee/caffeine? That ups it as well.

I drink 2 cups of black coffee every day. I'm not sure I can quit coffee. It's my vice.

You might want to start drinking decaffeinated coffee for a bit or get your caffeine from more natural sources until you get your blood pressure back in check. Or for now maybe have one cup of coffee and then eventually work on drinking decaffeinated coffee.

HikerShawn wrote: Mon Sep 29, 2025 6:06 pm

Demon_skeith wrote: Thu Sep 25, 2025 6:27 am Are you drinking a lot of coffee/caffeine? That ups it as well.

I drink 2 cups of black coffee every day. I'm not sure I can quit coffee. It's my vice.

I get that, but wouldn't hurt to seek out alternatives like green tea.

Demon_skeith wrote: Tue Sep 30, 2025 6:11 am

HikerShawn wrote: Mon Sep 29, 2025 6:06 pm

Demon_skeith wrote: Thu Sep 25, 2025 6:27 am Are you drinking a lot of coffee/caffeine? That ups it as well.

I drink 2 cups of black coffee every day. I'm not sure I can quit coffee. It's my vice.

I get that, but wouldn't hurt to seek out alternatives like green tea.

I won't disagree.

I could probably cut down on my coffee consumption. I wonder if that mushroom coffee is any better. I just mainly need something to help keep me alert and awake.