Blood Pressure

[R Giskard Reventlov]

I was put on blood pressure medication some years ago as a 'precaution'. I have always had higher than average blood pressure, even at my fittest but no idea why. No family history. Anyway, have a couple of blood pressure monitors and go through phases of suing them. Cardiologist told me to take the average of three readings. I have largish arms so had to buy a large cuff which made a difference to the readings. I also have white-coat syndrome: when I go to get my blood pressure taken at the docs it always goes up! Anyway, I was also told (after an MRI some years ago) that I appeared to have very large arteries! Perhaps that's why the pressure is higher! Who knows? End of the day, take the pills, watch the diet (never been a lover of salt anyway) and don't worry about it. :thumbsup:

"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. Those who seek perfection will only find imperfection nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me me, in pictures

[W Balboos GHB]

Begs the question, does it not, why a person with dietary restrictions would even eat in such a place?

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

"As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert

"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

[W Balboos GHB]

I have a machine that will give the average of the last three readings - but that's not really sufficient to get the true value. You need to keep taking reading every few minutes until the value stabilizes. This is usually a lower number than the earlier readings. The remainder of your comments is correct. I've been told that ideally the arm with the cuff is held to the same level as your heart. Easy if someone's holding it for you - not so much if you're doing it yourself. Using the same chair (=chair arm support) gives me consistency. Hint: don't have the TV or Radio on, particularly with the news: you systolic reading could spike quite easily based upon what insanity you just heard.

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

"As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert

"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

[W Balboos GHB]

Sometimes, based upon your genetics, your BP remains quite nice until your circulatory system begins to lose its flexibility. Then up goes the pressure.

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

"As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert

"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

[RobertHarris]

I am in my mid forties, have high BP and have been on medication for a long time. The size of the cuff is very important (as many postings have said) so measure your arm and get the right cuff. My latest one came from lloyds pharmacy (UK) and seems to do the job well. The cuffs can be purchased separately so having multiple cuffs is simple and cheap. In January I weighed in at 336 lbs (I'm 6 foot 4 inches) and have altered my diet and exercise (both only slightly) resulting in a loss of 32 lbs to date. The aim is to get to 252 lbs (a loss of 6 stones) by the end of the year. I can safely say I can notice the difference already, my BP has dropped (it was still a touch high with the meds) and I feel shed loads better. One other point, have your doctor/nurse check your BP in BOTH ARMS. If the readings are significantly different then there could be some serious underlying causes.

[W Balboos GHB]

If you add low/no sodium cooking to your treatment, I found two very useful tricks (although much of what I cook is prepared Chinese wok style): In place of any salt or salty ingredient:

1. Minced onions added at the very end make the food very savory
2. Hot-Pepper and Garlic, depending upon how you add them, replace salt or heavily influence the flavor.
3. Mixing various herbs and spices brighten food, too, but it's a bit of a hassle

The problem with 1, assuming you like onions, is that onions are a strong component in the flavor. Item 2 works because, for as a pair, they emulate the perceptions of salt: sharp and mellow. Each of these two contributes to that. Add excess either or both to put them into the flavor. Saltiness brightens the flavor of food. It's cheap and easy, but not the only way. It took a lot of experimentation and rather bland food until this worked out.

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

"As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert

"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

[Munchies_Matt]

Yes, that sounds likely.

"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold

[Roger Wright]

I've got an Omron wrist type, and a cuff type, and they never agree. I've taken to picking the reading I like best and going with that. That way I get to keep eating bacon. :-D

Will Rogers never met me.

[Roger Wright]

It could be that, like me, the vast quantity of ethanol you consume keeps you relaxed. ;)

Will Rogers never met me.

[Munchies_Matt]

They say red wine is good for you, and god knows I consume prodigious quantities of the stuff. :)

"The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s." climate-models-go-cold

[Forogar]

Cos it's tasty! ;)

- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.

[Forogar]

Quote:

you can never over-salt anything with that

You will die younger than you hoped.

- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.

[JimmyRopes]

mark merrens wrote:

I also have white-coat syndrome: when I go to get my blood pressure taken at the docs it always goes up!

Me too. :sigh:

The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am. JimmyRopes