Don't ignore high blood pressure. I watched it kill my Dad.

[MarathonMike]

There is no greater motivator than a bad example. I sure had one with my Dad who ignored his health for decades until it was too late. He started having spells of light-headedness and pressure in his chest that he just passed off as heartburn. He would occasionally stick his arm in a blood pressure machine at the grocery store and see numbers like 195/130 and say "see these things never work right, that's crazy". Then one day while shoveling the driveway he passed out. My Mother found him and took him to the hospital. When the nurse read his pressure she couldn't believe it and took it again. It read 200/140. The doctor said "I have no idea how you are still alive". His kidney function was down to 10 percent and he soon went on dialysis. That kept him alive a few more years but I watched my Dad go from a 6 foot stout man to a withered weakling who could barely walk to the mailbox.

So last year when my blood pressure starting creeping up I went on BP medication. I hate pills and going to the doctor but I refuse to follow my Dad's example to an early death. Don't ignore high blood pressure. They call it "the silent killer" for good reason. I had a front row seat as to what it can do.

 

[Rambunctious]

My BP was up a little and my doctor suggested I drop a few pounds and see if that helps... well it helped a little and I stopped drinking but the last visit it was still a bit high so now I'm taking a pill for it... a small dose lisinopril once per day and my BP is fine now...

 

[DakotaKai_fan20]

There is no greater motivator than a bad example. I sure had one with my Dad who ignored his health for decades until it was too late. He started having spells of light-headedness and pressure in his chest that he just passed off as heartburn. He would occasionally stick his arm in a blood pressure machine at the grocery store and see numbers like 195/130 and say "see these things never work right, that's crazy". Then one day while shoveling the driveway he passed out. My Mother found him and took him to the hospital. When the nurse read his pressure she couldn't believe it and took it again. It read 200/140. The doctor said "I have no idea how you are still alive". His kidney function was down to 10 percent and he soon went on dialysis. That kept him alive a few more years but I watched my Dad go from a 6 foot stout man to a withered weakling who could barely walk to the mailbox.

So last year when my blood pressure starting creeping up I went on BP medication. I hate pills and going to the doctor but I refuse to follow my Dad's example to an early death. Don't ignore high blood pressure. They call it "the silent killer" for good reason. I had a front row seat as to what it can do.

My father and uncle died from high blood pressure causing heart attacks. At least I manage mine.

 

[ozro]

Whatever works for you to control your blood pressure , and sugar, whether it's diet, exercise, weight loss, or yes even meds, get it under control.
We really don't need any more 'memorial threDs around here....

 

[petro]

Currently on Lisinipril myself as a few years ago my BP was really high.

Lately though the doctor has since had me cut it to 5 mg as my last couple checkups I was actually low.
Started the meds right after a divorce, and maybe I am just less stressed now.
We have an electronic wrist cuff now so I can check whenever.

Only symptom I had previously was occasional pounding headaches.
Ever since I started the meds, those completely dissapeared.

 

[MarathonMike]

Currently on Lisinipril myself as a few years ago my BP was really high.

Lately though the doctor has since had me cut it to 5 mg as my last couple checkups I was actually low.
Started the meds right after a divorce, and maybe I am just less stressed now.
We have an electronic wrist cuff now so I can check whenever.

Only symptom I had previously was occasional pounding headaches.
Ever since I started the meds, those completely dissapeared.

I'm on a low dose of Norvasc. I've cut the pills in half and my BP is still good.

 

[MarathonMike]

My BP was up a little and my doctor suggested I drop a few pounds and see if that helps... well it helped a little and I stopped drinking but the last visit it was still a bit high so now I'm taking a pill for it... a small dose lisinopril once per day and my BP is fine now...

I'm the same weight I was when I was running marathons I just don't exercise as much as I used to. If I get motivated, I'll do low impact cardio and see if I can get off the pills totally.

 

[luiza]

For reasons which totaly elude me , I show White Coat Syndrome every time my blood pressure is taken .
I have zero fear of Doctors , Nurses or Procedures , let alone the Pressure Reader .
But every time it shows around 180/110 .
Within minutes it will then show around 140/95 and only on the third reading do I get to my "real" reading --- 125/80 .

Strange, and nobody has ever given me a likely explanation .

Now I tell them beforehand and suggest they just write down 125/80 to save all of us time .
This even happens at home when I occasionally check with my own reader , as though I am even scared of myself

 

[MarathonMike]

For reasons which totaly elude me , I show White Coat Syndrome every time my blood pressure is taken .
I have zero fear of Doctors , Nurses or Procedures , let alone the Pressure Reader .
But every time it shows around 180/110 .
Within minutes it will then show around 140/95 and only on the third reading do I get to my "real" reading --- 125/80 .

Strange, and nobody has ever given me a likely explanation .

Now I tell them beforehand and suggest they just write down 125/80 to save all of us time .
This even happens at home when I occasionally check with my own reader , as though I am even scared of myself

I have the same reaction not quite as high as yours. If I have my BP taken in a doctor or dentist office. It's usually around 160 on the first reading. Second reading 130. Now that I am on BP meds my home readings are usually around 120/80.

 

[Rambunctious]

I'm the same weight I was when I was running marathons I just don't exercise as much as I used to. If I get motivated, I'll do low impact cardio and see if I can get off the pills totally.

I don't run anymore because my knees are not good... but I do ride a bike twice a week and I walk the course when I play golf... I was slacking for a while and I put a few pounds on... but quitting beer took that weight off fast...

 

[Freedomisneverfree]

In my dialysis clinic, most of the patients have high blood pressure, which damaged their kidneys. They either have HBP or diabetes or BOTH. My kidney failure is from Crestor, a medication for high cholesterol. I am going on my 6th year on dialysis.

 

[MarathonMike]

I don't run anymore because my knees are not good... but I do ride a bike twice a week and I walk the course when I play golf... I was slacking for a while and I put a few pounds on... but quitting beer took that weight off fast...

I do a 2 mile loop where I alternate between running and walking. My wife and I walk also a couple times a week. Knees are surprisingly still ok I have arthritis in my hips that will eventually require replacement. Hopefully a few years off yet.

 

[katsteve2012]

There is no greater motivator than a bad example. I sure had one with my Dad who ignored his health for decades until it was too late. He started having spells of light-headedness and pressure in his chest that he just passed off as heartburn. He would occasionally stick his arm in a blood pressure machine at the grocery store and see numbers like 195/130 and say "see these things never work right, that's crazy". Then one day while shoveling the driveway he passed out. My Mother found him and took him to the hospital. When the nurse read his pressure she couldn't believe it and took it again. It read 200/140. The doctor said "I have no idea how you are still alive". His kidney function was down to 10 percent and he soon went on dialysis. That kept him alive a few more years but I watched my Dad go from a 6 foot stout man to a withered weakling who could barely walk to the mailbox.

So last year when my blood pressure starting creeping up I went on BP medication. I hate pills and going to the doctor but I refuse to follow my Dad's example to an early death. Don't ignore high blood pressure. They call it "the silent killer" for good reason. I had a front row seat as to what it can do.

The Silent Killer" is deadly. I had an uncle that I was close to as a kid who ignored his BP and the lightheadedness that he was experiencing and he died from a massive stroke at 37.

 

[WelfareQueen]

There is no greater motivator than a bad example. I sure had one with my Dad who ignored his health for decades until it was too late. He started having spells of light-headedness and pressure in his chest that he just passed off as heartburn. He would occasionally stick his arm in a blood pressure machine at the grocery store and see numbers like 195/130 and say "see these things never work right, that's crazy". Then one day while shoveling the driveway he passed out. My Mother found him and took him to the hospital. When the nurse read his pressure she couldn't believe it and took it again. It read 200/140. The doctor said "I have no idea how you are still alive". His kidney function was down to 10 percent and he soon went on dialysis. That kept him alive a few more years but I watched my Dad go from a 6 foot stout man to a withered weakling who could barely walk to the mailbox.

So last year when my blood pressure starting creeping up I went on BP medication. I hate pills and going to the doctor but I refuse to follow my Dad's example to an early death. Don't ignore high blood pressure. They call it "the silent killer" for good reason. I had a front row seat as to what it can do.

My pressure was running as high as 180/100. I went on Lisinopril a few years ago and it works great. Glad you are taking it seriously.

 

[BasicHumanUnit]

Diet and whats in your food are the drivers behind modern day high blood pressure epidemics (except in cases of genetics)

If you want to learn to control blood pressure without medication look into eliminating the poisons they put into processed foods and also look into intermittent fasting.

You're welcome.

 

[SweetSue92]

In my dialysis clinic, most of the patients have high blood pressure, which damaged their kidneys. They either have HBP or diabetes or BOTH. My kidney failure is from Crestor, a medication for high cholesterol. I am going on my 6th year on dialysis.

I'm so sorry to read this. Personally I think statins are a racket.