Blood Pressure...

[Sideshow Bob]

Skipped meds yesterday.

112 / 77

Back to 136/82 - Was advised to take tablet every alternate day and monitor for a fortnight.

 

[The_Librarian]

A month or so ago I really was struggling with my BP.

Highest was 180/100 something (can't remember exactly)

BP meds did nothing at all. Seriously. I kakked myself. And cholesterol was up through the roof. Moar kakkenings.

And decided to up my walking distance. At that time I was lazing around 2000 steps a day.

I pushed myself to 6000 steps a day. All it takes are a couple of 10 minute sessions per day in order to reach the daily goal of 6000.

After two days I noticed that my BP was starting to drop. Yay.

Apparently when active your body releases enzymes which trigger your liver to start processing cholesterol.

Now my BP is 140/100 in the mornings, and drops when I take my BP meds to 120/80 for the day. At night it picks up to 130/90 and drops when I take my cholesterol meds. Still monitoring, but for now I don't feel any stress when doing these. Highest I got was 140/100.

So far so good.

The past few weeks with the heatwave was extremely exhausting. But I survived. Because I had a desire to get my BP under control.

I have no desire to croak just now.

I'm planning to go to the doctor, get an assessment done for December (including cholesterol test) then go back end of Jenuary or February and do another test or so.

And do the Zen of Dori - just keep walking just keep walking just keep walking....

#winning

 

[Sideshow Bob]

^ Absolutely true. @The_Librarian and well done.

During this year, I dropped 12kg and increased fitness level by being active at least 6 days a week and my BP levels are so manageable that I am advised taking BP meds every alternate day now. I don't recall exactly but I used to clock 160+/95+ despite taking same meds. Now, I get readings of 110/70 at times.

Only way to beat BP is increased fitness, decent diet and lower body weight.

 

[The Voice]

Systolic is acceptable, but still can’t get my bloody diastolic under control. Had brief spells where it was 80 and under, but even with quitting vaping it hasn’t dropped, so at a loss because isolated diastolic hypertension is pure lifestyle:

 

[The_Librarian]

Anybody noticed an improvement when eating a handful of blueberries in the mornings?

 

[IziWhatNow]

I was eating blueberries and oats in the morn for 2 years almost every morning and BP just continued climbing. I also gained weight at the same time though. Looks to me like there is a significant correlation between weight & BP

 

[The_Librarian]

I was eating blueberries and oats in the morn for 2 years almost every morning and BP just continued climbing. I also gained weight at the same time though. Looks to me like there is a significant correlation between weight & BP

Yep.

It is something they're putting into our food as well.

 

[xrapidx]

I bought a new BP monitor, Omrom M4 after the second blood donation where my BP was 166/80.

Been monitoring for a week now - most mornings its in the normal range (120-129/80-84). Evenings its the high normal range. (with two isolated systolic hypertension readings).

Will see how it goes and take it along the next time I donate blood to see how it compares.

 

[Sideshow Bob]

Been a while since I took the reading. 133/74 2 hours after taking tablet. Taking tabs on alternate days now (after consultation with doctor) but will see if it works after tomorrow's reading

 

[Sideshow Bob]

Anybody noticed an improvement when eating a handful of blueberries in the mornings?

I will carry BP monitor and measure next time when wife shops for blueberries in woolworths. I am sure it costs R5 per blueberry by now. I don't eat them out of principle (cheapskate principle 101).

 

[BBSA]

I will carry BP monitor and measure next time when wife shops for blueberries in woolworths. I am sure it costs R5 per blueberry by now. I don't eat them out of principle (cheapskate principle 101).

If you are a real cheapskate you would get a wife which doesn't shop at woolworths.

 

[The_Librarian]

We are privileged to have a blueberry farm close to us... lots of blueberries for a good price directly from the farmer...

 

[xrapidx]

Out of interest, the guys that went on BP medicine, how high was your BP before the decision - and how did the measurement relate to doctor vs home?

 

[The Voice]

Out of interest, the guys that went on BP medicine, how high was your BP before the decision - and how did the measurement relate to doctor vs home?

No clue. Had 4 heart attacks, and they were like “here, take all these meds, and good luck”.

As for doctor vs home, I don’t suffer from white coat syndrome so it’s usually the same.

 

[Sinbad]

I was eating blueberries and oats in the morn for 2 years almost every morning and BP just continued climbing. I also gained weight at the same time though. Looks to me like there is a significant correlation between weight & BP

My GP told me something like 10mmhg per 10kg until your BMI gets down below 25 or so.

 

[Sideshow Bob]

My GP told me something like 10mmhg per 10kg until your BMI gets down below 25 or so.

My doc brother told me the same and after losing about 12kg last year, I am taking tablet every alternate day so it is definitely worked in my case.

I was told there are exceptions to this. For example, high BP will not reduce if salt intake remains high.

 

[Sideshow Bob]

Been a while since I took the reading. 133/74 2 hours after taking tablet. Taking tabs on alternate days now (after consultation with doctor) but will see if it works after tomorrow's reading

Skipped tablet - 135/79. Will check end of the day but without tab, it used to shoot up past 150 year+ ago so it is definitely improvement. Viva weight loss, viva.

 

[Tongs of Destiny]

are you all doing one single BP measure, or do you do it at a relaxed time of the day, and do +3 tests and then average them out? For me, I normally do three tests and release the arm velcro and move it and redo it after each go, then my results should be more accurate... I think.

 

[xrapidx]

I just do 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening as requested. (if it looks way out I'll redo it)

Dont know why its been so high when taken my the professionals, mine hovers in the normal range mostly ... so will drag my monitor with next time.

 

[The Voice]

are you all doing one single BP measure, or do you do it at a relaxed time of the day, and do +3 tests and then average them out? For me, I normally do three tests and release the arm velcro and move it and redo it after each go, then my results should be more accurate... I think.

I do mine in the morning after I’ve had a crap, before breakfast (usually around 10). Empty my bladder (as they tell you to), sit up straight at my desk, then take the average of 3 readings.