Sunday 10 November 2019

A bit of a Health Scare.



I recently had to visit the Doc' to renew my prescription; I had run out of certain pills, and hadn't taken them for quite a while.

I really hate having to visit the Doc', and combined with a few other things I was feeling very stressed.

The Doc' I saw was new to me. Firstly she made me remove my T Shirt and shoes, my previous Doc' never asked this of me. When she took my blood pressure she gasped and made me immediately take some tiny pill. My BP was abnormally high and I was given instructions to take readings twice a day for three days; noting three readings at each attempt. I don't think she expected me to last the day.

Later whilst at the pharmacy collecting my pills, I bought a new BP meter (above) which is very simple and efficient, and also cost peanuts. When demonstrating how to use it, the pharmacist saw my high readings, and even suggested I didn't drive home alone!

I'm pleased to say that my BP has now dropped dramatically; probably due to the combination of pill-taking, and less stress.

Anyway, as a result of my scare, I looked on the net for foods to reduce high blood pressure, and I immediately began an improved regime. I have naturally strong willpower, and will have no problem in giving up certain things that are obviously bad for me.

IN are one glass of wine in the evening instead of three, good quality dark chocolate, beetroot, bananas, oats, garlic, choucroute, lentils, yoghurt, and plenty of greens. Luckily all are to my taste, so no deprivation . 

OUT go salt, coffee, cheese, and too much fatty meat and charcuterie.

It's amazing what those pills and a sensible diet actually do. Back to normal again.

45 comments:

  1. OMG, high blood pressure is so dangerous! Sounds like you've decided to make corrections. EXCELLENT ! I don't have high blood pressure, but I need to lose weight and I have ZERO will power about cake/pies/cookies. I don't mind giving up the drink, it's the sugar that has me cooked !! Congrats on your smart choices. And, keep taking the pressure readings, for certain.

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    1. I was actually quite shocked, but think it was mostly down to having run out of 'heart pills'. I'm not a sugar eater, but I too need to lose a bit of weight. I think I'm back on track.

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  2. Snap. When I saw the GP on Thursday my BP was high and I have to double my pills (have only bedn on them a couple of months). I am good on your top list but do have trouble cutting down cheese.

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    1. I knew that my previous diet wasn't too healthy, but I do enjoy charcuterie etc. Change will do me good.

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  3. I don't have high blood pressure, quite the opposite. But when I go to the doctors I get 'white coat' syndrome and my BP goes through the roof. I have great trouble in convincing them it is not my normal reading.

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    1. I'm sure this was my case too. I just hate sitting there awaiting my turn. I begin to get nervous whilst still in the car.

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  4. Only three glasses of wine each evening? Life is not worth living. Oh, sorry, that is one. May as well have a cup of tea. Salt, cheese and fatty meat would not too hard to give up for me. Good to know you are listening to medical advice.

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    1. My fried eggs and bacon have been replaced by Muesli, and my coffee by Green Tea. After just four days, I'm used to it already.

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  5. I’m with Sue on this, white coat syndrome, added to which having to strip off when you weren’t expected it probably didn’t help.

    LX

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    1. I'm also always a bit stressed about having to sit in a waiting room with people sneezing around me, etc.

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  6. The beetroot should help. We brought my husband's BP down with fresh Beetroot juice...and retirement. Good luck and good health. xx

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    1. Since sort of giving up booze, my favourite tipple is beetroot juice and spicy tomato it is truly scrumptious.

      LX

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    2. I'm just about to have some beetroot for lunch.

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  7. My blood pressure always goes through the roof at the mention of a doctor. We have an easy peasy no meter at home too and whenever I the my blood pressure it is very low. Doc put me on pills once and my BP plunged to the dizzy stage.
    Keep a watch on it for a while. You already eat a very healthy diet. Just keep away from doctors!!

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    1. Why don't I check my comments for mistakes??? Small phone, fat fingers

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    2. It was amazing how quickly my BP dropped after the pills, and getting home again. I shall try to stick to my new diet, it will be worth it.

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  8. Well, Cro, you certainly are doing the correct things with the right attitude. Good luck is probably all that you need now - the same as the rest of us however healthy.

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    1. My family generally have very strong and healthy hearts. I need to look after myself a bit more.

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  9. There is nothing like a Doctor's surgery for putting my blood pressure up. They are a necessary evil in my opinion although Tom would not be here without them. I have one of those meters and regularly check my own like you.
    Does give you a start though doesn't it?
    Glad you are back to normal.
    Briony
    x

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    1. I don't know why mention of the word 'Doctor' should be so menacing; I suppose it's the same as saying 'Vet' to the dog.

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  10. Just out of interest, what was your reading at the doctor?

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    1. I think it was 280 over something, but I may be wrong. Anyway, I think my Doc' thought I was about to die!... Not yet dear.

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    2. EeeK! No wonder they panicked.

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  11. Nice to have a fresh pair of eyes looking at your health occasionally! Very sensible too, having to monitor bp yourself at home...no White Coats about to raise the pressure
    All the best with our return to health!

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    1. I previously had a Boots BP machine, that, frankly, was rubbish. This one is so simple to use, and is supposed to be very accurate.

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  12. Good that you know about it now and have taken steps to get healthier.

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  13. I'm glad to hear you addressed this. A super high BP reading is dangerous. The blog world wouldn't be the same without you!

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  14. Oh Cro .... not nice but good that you addressed it. It’s those that are in the dark about their blood pressure that are in danger. We might not like to go to see our GP but sometimes it’s necessary. At least one glass of red wine is better than none 🍷. Look after yourself. XXXX

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    1. Yes, if I'd had my way I wouldn't have gone at all, so I suppose I must be grateful for GP's.

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  15. It also happens to me that my blood pressure rises when I'm near a doctor.

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  16. All sounds a bit scary Cro but at least you are addressing the problem.

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    1. At least that bit of me seems OK now. It's the rest I have to worry about.

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  17. I too take medication for High BP - but I also suffer from "white coat syndrome" - BP goes up the minute I get near to my doctor's office! They know this and hook me up to a machine that takes my BP automatically six times in a row. They leave me sitting in a quiet room and it drops to almost normal by the time the final reading is taken. I also track it at home so that gives a truer result. Good luck.

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    1. I'm pleased to see it has a proper medical name, WCS. I shall tell my Doc' next time I see her. She might have been absent from Med' School on the day they discussed it.

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  18. Amazing what you can buy at a Pharmacy these days. That reading looks admirable now.

    Shaking up the diet from time to time is good for keeping your body on its toes. Remember Uncle Davey's diet in Love In A Cold Climate? He used to give his body the shock treatment to keep it in top condition by constantly surprising it with new things.

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    1. I think my body is having that reaction at the moment. Green Tea, Muesli, and hardly any wine... It doesn't recognise me!

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  19. My new GP told me to eat beets. My cardiologist just laughed, and said only if I like them. But, I do like them, and eat them.

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    1. I love them. We had a big plateful yesterday, just with Raspberry vinegar. No Paté.

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  20. Hugs from NZ. Keep up the calming down. x

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  21. Good job you went when you did. We can all become complacent with our lifestyles. I have terrible struggles with cheese, must not eat so much of it.

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  22. Oh dear, I fear it's all that Pate de foie gras that's done it. Better give that up for a start. And get your bike out and pedal the local lanes each day,that'll get the BP down. Good luck!

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