OT: Blood Pressure

[Midwest_non_sleeper]

Some pretty good information here.

So, more information. Only my systolic is consistently high. It jumps between 122 to 140+, but never over 150 yet at an actual doctor's office. My diastolic is typically between 80 and 90, which is also high, but marginally less so than the systolic. These are readings that I have been tracking from numerous doctor offices for the past couple of years. When I go in to a place and they take my BP, wherever it is, I scribble a note on my phone with the date and the numbers. I have a home machine that I recently picked up, but I was unsure if it was accurate or not. It read my BP one evening as 165/100, which I didn't think was correct. So I brought it in to my doctor's office and we checked it against their multiple readings from multiple places. It was indeed reading higher than their equipment.

My pulse, when having my BP taken, is consistently at 90 or above. That's not good, but it naturally drops off after a few seconds. My pulse seems to race when I'm having my BP taken.

I wasn't aware of the correct way to take BP before, and it's kind of a cruel joke on me, because I get nervous when my BP is taken - simply because I don't want it to be high - which ironically causes it to be high. I definitely have "white coat syndrome", but it manifests itself over some small form of anxiety over the BP reading itself. It's hard to get a proper reading that way, but I don't really want to take any chances.

Lastly, I eat decently well, I reject most forms of carbs, sugars and sodium, though naturally I do intake some as it's almost impossible to not ingest. I also stopped drinking any form of soda or sugary drink for the last two years. I might have a small glass of milk every once in awhile, but largely, I drink nothing but water. I carry a really nice 48oz water bottle around everywhere I go and I typically have to fill it up a couple times during the day.

[Goofproof]

Have A1C test to be sure. Jim
Went to the Dr. yesterday BP as 170/78, he had put me on a second BP med added in at home it caused low bp, so I stopped it. I took my BP at home this morning it was 123/71 I consider this good for me. My BP seems much higher at the DR's.

[palerider]

I wasn't aware of the correct way to take BP before, and it's kind of a cruel joke on me, because I get nervous when my BP is taken - simply because I don't want it to be high - which ironically causes it to be high. I definitely have "white coat syndrome", but it manifests itself over some small form of anxiety over the BP reading itself. It's hard to get a proper reading that way, but I don't really want to take any chances.

Do make sure the cuff, whether it's arm, wrist, finger or other, is at heart height, and you've been resting for 10-25 minutes before taking your BP. There was a notice a few years ago from Canada health that went out to all the doctors, because improper procedures were ending up with a lot of people on BP meds when they didn't actually "need" to be on meds...

Best time to take it is at home while relaxing.

[chunkyfrog]

Also uncross legs/ankles.
Supposedly, it affects readings.

[palerider]

Also uncross legs/ankles.
Supposedly, it affects readings.

Since almost all the modern machines work by detecting tiny tiny little fluctuations in the pressure in the cuff, even tiny little muscle twitches will throw off the reading, I can make the machine freak out just by wiggling my fingers.

[Grace~~~]

When I was in active Chemo they got new lazyboy type chairs with heat and massage. They also of course, take your stats every two hours during the infusion.

I was actually the one who brought it to the attention of the nurses what a difference there was in my blood pressure when the massage feature was on. No one had even considered it.

... little mistakes like that are pretty disconcerting when they are pumping god knows what in to a port in your chest while they wear hazmat suits.

[Mickey113]

Do you take some medicine for blood pressure? I would like to get some recommendations here since I have had some problems with it, but I don't know what to do. I use Canadian Pharmacy a lot, and maybe you can have a look there and recommend which pills to order?

[Midwest_non_sleeper]

Oh! I'm glad this post came back around, because I had forgotten about it.

Alright, so update. For the last three months, I have massively increased my activity level as well as my "good" food intake. I did this because 1) The high BP, and 2) a very low HDL lipid panel. My LDL is within normal parameters, but my HDL is dangerously low, around 23mg/dL, which is not good. My doc put me on a statin, but within days I felt like absolute trash. I felt terrrrrible.

I called her and told her that I can't take the statin anymore. She wanted me to continue it, but I told her that I'd strike a deal with her: If I seriously change my lifestyle and manage to naturally bring up my HDL and make all of my numbers across the board better, would she be ok with me stopping the statin now. She agreed, and ever since then, I've changed the way I'm eating, what I'm eating (I refuse to eat ANY fast food and/or fried food, pizza, pasta, candy, sweets, or sugar. I have replaced them with high protein foods or veggies and fruits), and I wake up earlier in the morning to ride my bike for a minimum of 30 minutes and again in the evening for 30 minutes. I ride at 12mph or higher, so it's a good workout and I break out in heavy sweat each time. I stopped taking the statin that day.

Anyway, that was a few months ago. I had my BP checked three times at a checkup last week: 114/73. It is consistently around that range now. Additionally, my resting heart rate has dropped into the mid to upper 60's. I had absolutely no idea that exercise and eating better could provide results like that, as quickly as that. Lastly, I have dropped a bunch of weight, and am looking to lose more. Yes, I have a sedentary job where I sit behind a desk for 8 hours a day, but I went from 240lbs and I now weigh 218 pounds as of this morning, which is just about 2lbs per week, a good healthy loss. I set a 200lb goal for myself, but if I can get lower, then all the better. For what it's worth, I am a naturally stocky man with broad shoulders, so I carry the weight well - but still overweight.

I am completely happy with the results so far and plan to continue. It is becoming my routine now, and I feel better for it. Hell, I have to go buy new suit pants and a belt for work because I've cinched my current belt just about as tight as it can go now and my pants are crimping in the front. They're size 40 and I need to drop down to a 36 or so now.

Just amazing.

[jimbud]

Congratulations!
Great news. I did the same as you 25 years ago. Lost weight with exercise (lifting weights and walking). I went from 240 t0 205 in one year.
Went back to the doctor.
Blood pressure had not gone down one point.
Very crestfallen, but determined to get it down.
Have been on the meds ever since. I can tolerate them all except Lipitor(it is poison to me).
As I suggested before, keep aware of your blood tests.
If you notice any out of kilter bring it up to the doctor. Things can get out of hand and your health will suffer.

I am very pleased hearing about your progress.
Keep it up.
It is a lifetime commitment.

JPB

[chunkyfrog]

No problem from Lipitor here, but I take 200 mg Co-Q10 every day.
Ubiquinol helps prevent the muscle destruction caused by atorvastatin.
It is still a good idea to note (and report) any unexplained muscle weakness or tenderness.

[Midwest_non_sleeper]

Atorvastatin is what they had me on, generic Lipitor, and it was absolutely horrendous.

I turned into a monster. Mood swings, feeling like I had been run over by a garbage truck and then thrown against a wall by a giant. Worst feeling I've ever experienced - and I'm prior military with PTSD. My genetic makeup did not play well with that crap.

[palerider]

Atorvastatin is what they had me on, generic Lipitor, and it was absolutely horrendous.

I turned into a monster. Mood swings, feeling like I had been run over by a garbage truck and then thrown against a wall by a giant. Worst feeling I've ever experienced - and I'm prior military with PTSD. My genetic makeup did not play well with that crap.

I'm very happy to hear that you're doing better, my friend.

[LSAT]

Atorvastatin is what they had me on, generic Lipitor, and it was absolutely horrendous.

I turned into a monster. Mood swings, feeling like I had been run over by a garbage truck and then thrown against a wall by a giant. Worst feeling I've ever experienced - and I'm prior military with PTSD. My genetic makeup did not play well with that crap.

Isn't a statin used to control cholesterol?

[jimbud]

Atorvastatin is what they had me on, generic Lipitor, and it was absolutely horrendous.

I turned into a monster. Mood swings, feeling like I had been run over by a garbage truck and then thrown against a wall by a giant. Worst feeling I've ever experienced - and I'm prior military with PTSD. My genetic makeup did not play well with that crap.

Isn't a statin used to control cholesterol?

Yes.


by Midwest_non_sleeper » Wed Sep 18, 2019 9:31 am
My LDL is within normal parameters, but my HDL is dangerously low, around 23mg/dL, which is not good. My doc put me on a statin, but within days I felt like absolute trash. I felt terrrrrible.

[RogerSC]

Thought that I'd add my experiences on the blood pressure front. My blood pressure was going up at one point several years ago. It got up to 130/76 (not horrible) at my annual physical, so I decided it was time to do something about it. I did the following within a couple of months:

1. Started on CPAP as the result of a sleep study recommended by my wife and my doctor. Not specifically for high blood pressure of course, for sleep apnea.

2. Started walking 5 days a week, 2 miles a day.

Between the two of these, my blood pressure at the next yearly physical after the one mentioned above was 118/68. Which made me happy. At my latest yearly physical, my blood pressure was 108/62 with a resting pulse of 61. This is pretty individual, but I suspect that the lowered blood pressure relates more to the aerobic exercise than using a CPAP, but I don't know which one was more important since I did both *smile*. I can say, though, that using the CPAP helped me get enough energy back to get going on the daily walking, and to continue that for years now. So that synergy worked out well for me.