High Blood Pressure (Vanity)

10/07/2003 | BallandPowder

[BallandPowder]

Ok folks, I need some advice on what has worked for you.

Just got some results from the doctor that aren't serious but he would like them to improve and I'm seeing much conflicting information on the web about health issues. He doesn't want to give me a pill until he see's if we can bring these numbers under control with diet and exercise.

For the record. I am 6' 197lbs. I don't smoke and my alcohol intake is minimal (1-2 beers a week). I have been under quite a lot of stress lately but that seems to be receding. I work in a sedentary enviroment although I do run 4 flights of steps at least 3-4 times a day (up and down).

My bloodpressure tested at 144/94. My HDL was low. Doc said it should be at least 40? and mine was 35. LDL wasn't to high. Triglycerides were 235 and should be 150 or less.

He told me to cut out the carbs, exercise more, loose 5 lbs

Help me out folks, nutritional info, exercises that work, diet changes?

[BallandPowder]

Powder..Patch..Ball FIRE!

Lay it out folks.

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[AppyPappy]

Increase the alcohol unless it is beer. Exercise will greatly help the high blood pressure.

Sometimes though, there is nothing you can do. I have a friend who is a vegitarian and he has high blood pressure and clogged arteries.

[CJ Wolf]

how old are you?

[Mark Felton]

Check your sleep. Do you snore, at all? Do you wake up during the night? Do you often feel sleepy during the day?

Get a sleep study done.
Sleep apnea is one of the big reasons for hypertension. It is also one of the biggest reasons for fatigue, lack of energy and feeling generally lousy.

[Note: My wife has pretty bad sleep apnea and she doesn't even snore. She never even knew she was waking up at night until the sleep study was done]

[BallandPowder]

Powder..patch..Ball FIRE!

I am 47.
Doc said I could have wine with dinner

[conservaDave]

Go out and buy yourself a digital blood pressure monitoring system. Probably 40-50 dollars. Keep a log. Measure in morning when you get up. At bedtime and whenever you feel like it. Having a log with lots of readings will help Dr. You will have lots of different readings. My Dr. wanted to put me on BP meds but after seeing log said perhaps not. Because the lows would cause me to "drop out".

Good luck.

[Old Sarge]

FRiend, 6'0" and 197# just about puts you at military height/weight standards, going along with AR 600-9.

I am most concerned about the lower BP number. I would concur with Pappy; drop the carbs, and increase activity. Glass of wine is good, cut down on the beer.

Other than that, continue to march.

[BallandPowder]

No snoring, I sleep very well.

[syriacus]

Along with exercise, you could consider the DASH eating plan, if it is okay with your doctor .

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI):The DASH Eating Plan

(Updated May 2003)

The DASH Eating Plan Puts Patients on the Road to Heart Health

"I give a copy of this to all my hypertensive patients, and have received good feedback. They have found it informative and easy to understand." -M. Keen, MD Toledo, OH

Get with the plan that is clinically proven to significantly reduce blood pressure. It's not enough to tell hypertensive and prehypertensive patients to, "Watch your diet." Give them a week's worth of sample menus, recipes, heart healthy dishes, and an easy-to-read summary of the findings from the "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension" clinical study that showed how elevated blood pressure levels can be reduced with an eating plan low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, and rich in fruits, vegetables, and lowfat dairy products. It even has a form to track food habits before starting the plan and a chart to help with meal planning and food shopping. Facts About the DASH Eating Plan 24 pages. NIH Publication No. 03-4082.

[Ff--150]

He told me to cut out the carbs, exercise more, loose 5 lbs

Was your hearing affected? =-) How much did you actually pay for this advice, which you are now seeking for free upon a political forum...? ( Atkins diet, walking briskly...)

[Arrowhead1952]

I drink 6-8 beers every day. Smoke a little here and there. My blood pressure is in the 107/72 125/76 range at home. I take it almost every morning. I try to walk 10 or more miles every week. The minute I walk into the doc's office and the nurse puts the cuff on my arm, I get tense to say the least. BP at the doc's, may be 150/110 or more.

I had the nuclear stress test two years ago. No restrictions, so my doc said not to worry about my high office BP. He said I have on of the worst cases of "White-coat Hyper Tension he has ever seen. That is caused by tension in hospitals or doctor's offices.

[WillieGillis]

I agree... Get a PB monitor, everytime I go to the dr., my BP is high (white coat syndrome). Going to the doctor scares the hell out of me. He saw my log and everything is pretty much normal. Took 3 to 4 readings a day for 2 months.

[BallandPowder]

I am nervous going to doc but have checked myself with the free monitors in Walgreens/Walmart/etc.. and they seem to match pretty well. Guess I'll go pick up a monitor tonight on the way home.

[CJ Wolf]

Well I have no advice except what has already been posted, but would like to add that you need a stress release other then running up and down stairs, whcih is bad for your knees in the long run (no pun intended). Do something that makes you happy and relaxed in a good way more often, and it's a great excuse to do it anyway. ('Sorry honey I gotta get my happy time in, you don't want me to go on meds do you') Don't sweat stressful situations. Most the time the cause of stress is forgotten quickly but the effects linger, so you must cut it before it's allowed to get to the point to make your blood boil. There are many ways to achieve this, but it all comes down to your outlook on things. Good luck! Drink some more wine!

[BallandPowder]

Powder..Patch..Ball FIRE!

I'm looking to see what works for the people on this forum with the same type of situation. I listened to the Doc, just would like to optomize results if possible by learning from other folks.

[toddst]

Sounds like you are about right in the weight department, losing five pounds should be ok. My recommendation would be walking daily for at least 30 minutes. Make it a brisk walk after you have done it for a couple of weeks and you will find your weight will drop five to ten pounds fairly quickly. I'm 63, your height but with knees that aren't in good shape. However,I can handle this level of exercise just fine.

We've shifted our diet to minimal red meat (lots of chicken and fish - farmraised catfish, salmon) plus plenty of vegetables and fruit. This is a sustainable diet and enjoyable as well.

I suggest cooking meats and the fish in a George Foreman grill. The fats drain away and the high heat from both sides seals in juices and flavor. Will provide greater detail if you are interested. Regards, Todd

[rwfok]

How much caffeine is in your diet? I avoided the pill by switching to decaf and caffeine free sodas. I miss the morning kick from my coffee and the taste takes some getting used to, but its better than a script IMO.

[OldFriend]

Agree with you.....walking is MUCH better than stairs which puts too much stress on knees. A brisk walk outdoors is the best exercise for lots of reasons!

[BallandPowder]

Powder..Patch..Ball FIRE!

I don't drink any soda or coffee, I do drink maybe 1 or 2 Lipton or Brisk ice tea's (just started getting the unsweetened ones and adding a spoon myself). That is the limit of my caffeine intake.