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?

[Ff--150]

just would like to optomize results if possible by learning from other folks.

It's the carbs that are killing you and making you fat. You drink beer IIRC and the sugar (maltose or maltodextrin [sp]) is off the scale literally on the Glycemic Index. The sugars and the starches are our slow poisons, effecting you one way, others with other problems.

[toddst]

A brisk walk outdoors is the best exercise for lots of reasons!

10-4 on walking. Has very positive emotional impact as well. Always helps me overcome feeling gloomy, especially during gray winter days.

I have a good friend who lives in Stanton, NJ. Anywhere near you? Just curious.

[Moleman]

Besides blood preasure you seem to be in pretty good shape.
I am 5'9 185 lbs. My problem is I drink 6 beers per night, oh well.

[EuroFrog]

Both of my parents did Atkins and blood pressures came down.

Lipton iced tea - decaf - sweetened with Splenda is actually pretty good. Cant have the wine on Atkins.

If you decide the low carb diet isnt for you, and its not for some, oatmeal and cheerios need to become your friends. Definately drop the saturated fats.

Either way, whichever diet method you decide on, there is a plethera of recipes available online.

[aimhigh]

I react badly to all the statin drugs.
I switched to Cherios, and take lots of Vitamin C.
The bad cholesterol went down, the good came up slightly.

[Mears]

You're 47 therefore little things will start to go wrong from here on in. Follow all the good advise on this site and you should be fine.

I'm 71 and remember when the process started,seems like yesterday. I'm not a "gloom and doom" person,just a realist.

[Aggie Mama]

I agree. My mom's BP was astronomically high. She started to do the lower carb lifestyle(not Atkins, but close to it) and her bp dropped. It also helped her to lose those last 15 lbs left over from when I was born. =)

[dandi]

Lose about 10-15 lbs. Cut back on the salt, processed food and animal fat. Mild exercise like riding a bike for 20-30 minutes 3-4 times per week. Take dietary supplements like flax oil or fish oil capsules that are high in omega-3 fatty acids to raise your HDL level. Oh and drink plenty of water to help keep that sodium flushed out of your system. That should do it. At least try the weight loss/low salt intake thing for a while to see how it does.

[LuLuLuLu]

I'm wondering WHY you went to the doctor. Just a check up? Some condition not associated with HBP?

I'll echo the advice to get your own monitor.

[BallandPowder]

Powder..Patch..Ball FIRE!

Reason I went... I had to go to acute care a few weeks ago for a test. When they checked my bp the doctor told me I needed to have a physical and get my bp under treatment/care so it wouldn't get worse.

I did get a monitor last night. Resting bp at bedtime was 133/78 pulse 64. This morning getting ready for work it was 137/89 pulse 59.