3 questions to ask your doctor if he says you have high blood pressure

My name is sanjay gupta and I am a consultant in York. Today I wanted to do a little video on the subject of blood pressure.

If there is one thing that causes a tonne of anxiety, it is the mention of high blood pressure. A common scenario for example is that the patient goes to see his doctor for a routine visit or a completely unrelated complaint and the first thing the doctor or the practice nurse will do is measure the patients blood pressure. Then the doctor will shake his head, and say the words ‘your blood pressure is a bit high today’. You had better come back again and in a week and if it is again high we should consider giving you some tablets.

The poor patient is left feeling immediately worried and goes home to consult Dr Google and everywhere he looks there are these horror stories of how high blood pressure can cause strokes and heart attacks and kidney failure. When the poor terrified patient goes back for his repeat blood pressure measurement, he is already so anxious and unsurprisingly his blood pressure measures high which triggers of more anxiety and the prospect of a lifetime on medications.

This video is for that patient and my aim is to help that patient understand and demistyfy the concept of blood pressure by asking the doctor 3 important questions before contemplating medications.

As I see it, there are only 2 reasons, the blood pressure numbers are important:

1) The number is a symptom of something else in which case the aim should be to identify the underlying problem and treat it rather than make the numbers look prettier by giving tablets

2) The number by itself is causing the patient some form of harm in which case it does make sense to reduce the number.

It is also true to say that we are all different and therefore it doesn’t seem logical to use a single set of values to define everyone by saying that anyone with a blood pressure above 140/90 has high blood pressure. Surely what we want to know is whether the blood pressure is high for that individual. So instead of asking “is my blood pressure high?’, What we really want to know is ‘my blood pressure high for me?’

So here are 3 questions you want your doctor to answer for you before you start worrying about your blood pressure

[mariocondello]

I was a 40yo, went to my doctor for the first time in 15 years. My blood pressure was 180/120, he sent me for tests and I had type 2 diabetes. Two years later my blood pressure is usually around 125/80, i reversed my diabetes. All this with no meds just exercise and a change in diet.

[marjoriemarshall]

The world needs more doctors like you.

[debyahysrael]

Just the thought of seeing a doctor causes my blood pressure to go up.

[TheRealGrandadNo]

You have spoken more sense in just over 13 mins than my doctor and nurse have done in years!

[befunkrn]

I am so impressed with him!
As a retired RN, Dr Gupta's perspective is SO FAR ABOVE the vast majority of mainstream medical practioners today!!

[fembot]

My blood pressure is high due to grief. My husband died suddenly, two months ago leaving me with two small kids. My diet is impeccable. Stress is a bad thing.

[sylhomeo]

In my books, you’re a REAL doctor because you help people more than just giving out meds.

[twoweary]

You were the doctor that told me about magnesium glycinate for inflammation. I walked with a limp for months because of pain in my knees.I started taking magnesium and after a week my pain was gone and has stayed gone for more than a year. Honestly, I just want to give you a hug ! Thank you so much !

[PineGeri]

One size fits all just doesn’t work … Finally…someone who gets it..

[susanwoodward]

Finally, a doctor who provides education before medication. A teacher (meaning of doctor) versus a drug puppet pill pusher. Love all your videos - only hope your colleagues are also watching. Thank you.

[tireachan]

Plenty physicians out there are little more than sales reps for the pharma industry. This man here is a fine example of a physician with sound ethical bearing. The vocation could use plenty more like him.

[cleanmyshorts]

I'm 54 and 7 months ago Dr said I needed to take 2 meds 4 high blood pressure. I hate meds so I started walking 2 to 4 mikes a day. Lemon water eating better no fast food and less pizza. Last month Dr said your pressure is normal now are you taking the meds I said no just living better he was impressed and said ok no need 4 the meds if your eating better and exercise and NO ALCOHOL. I lost 10 pounds and feel great. Great post dr. You're 100 percent correct

[Buzzalu]

Just watching this video lowered my High Blood Pressure. Why don't we have more Doctors like you ?
God bless You, Your Family, Your Loved Ones, and Your Patients. ;)

[nicoladoherty]

There’s not enough real doctors like you around ! Applaud you sir 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[robinspear]

Doctors like this are a treasure! We need more like him!

[danj]

I am a consultant Orthopaedic surgeon and I think your video on blood pressure was excellent and it will help a lot of people. I wish I had more cardiologist colleagues like you where I work!!

[sodthong]

I gave up going to see a GP over ten years ago, and never been ill since. All they ever wanted to do was find an excuse to throw meds down my throat...

[marilynking]

If there's one thing that causes high blood pressure, it is the mention of high blood pressure.

[heathertackett]

I pretty much love you! Every time my doctor manages to scare the life out of me, I come here and realize I'm going to live!

[sissi]

Spot on! Thank you! Luckily I don't let doctors scare me into taking meds. Found out Monday mine was 200/120, he said I need meds. I said no. Bought a BP meter from the Chemist, stopped drinking booze for 3 days, and it was 160/98. Went back to the doctor, and he confirmed the low reading with his own measuring device. So, I am going to stop drinking, and do intermittent fasting, because apparently I am now on the low end of Diabetes. I will turn that around also. Bad lifestyle got me there, so it makes sense that a good life style will reverse these readings. Thanks again for this video. Glad there are doctors like you out there. So helpful!