B.P. 101

[BobN]

So, in my younger days, I was asking one of my brilliant doctor buddies about controlling my blood pressure, and, typical stethoscope-brain, he listed off a bunch of medications.

It then became clear to me why some of the most profitable companies in the world manufacture pharmaceuticals.

"Of course," he said, "it's also possible to keep your blood pressure down without medications."

"No kidding?  Where do I sign up?" I asked.

He laughed.  "It's easy.  Here's what you have to do.  Maintain your weight, Limit your sodium intake, Exercise for thirty minutes a day, Avoid drinking alcohol, Avoid drinking caffeine, and no smoking."

I said, "You don't get invited to many parties do you?"

He just looked at me quizzically. 

Then I asked, "So does this program come with a tunic?"

"How's that again?"

"A tunic, you know.  You're basically saying that I have to become a monk."

Now, I was just giving the guy a bit of a hard time because...well because he was a doctor.  But his point was that it's really a balancing act if you (like me) have a blood pressure problem and (also like me) detest taking pills.

So over the years, in order to avoid having to take so many pills that Courtney Love would turn up her nose and call me a druggy, I've actually followed most of his advice.

Watched the weight, limited the sodium, kept to my exercise routine, quit drinking, and not smoking.

Wait a minute, you're saying, what about the caffeine??

Well, okay, I chintz on that one, but coffee isn't a habit, it's survival.

Besides, it might be enough to keep me out of monk's school.

[jeannea]

Monk or Clonidine? Back and forth. Yeah, we all take BP meds don't we?

[Charlie B53]

When I first got soo sick that I couldn't go out to the garage for a cigarette I ended up quitting.  My taste changed, coffee tasted like ..... so I quit that also.

Clean for a year, but my BP never came down, it weirded, the Dr kept changing my BP meds.  I still take 4 different BP pills AND the clonodine patch.

I started smoking agan, and making a half pot of coffee every other day.  BP hasn't changed, yet.

[cassandra]

Every body is different, and every one reacts differently on medication

        


That's why I HAD to increase my caffeine intake to raise my BP, no joy (the coffee was, but BP stayed low), then increased sodium intake, and its still low. So I purposely retain some extra fluid,  do exercise when I remember.
Maybe I should pick up vaporing E-Ciggy's so the nicotine can increase it.

And I know quite a few more overweight, low bloodpressured dialyzers too. And still the Pharmaticos are incredibly rich, and profitable. Might be a better idea to buy shares in them.

[obsidianom]

In reality caffeine doesnt really raise blood pressure. For most people there is no effect from coffee unless you drink a gallon or some huge amount. It is a natural diuretic anyway so you urinate out fluid. Salt is the big blood pressure elevator in most people.

[cassandra]

Thanx Obsi, I eat as much salt as poss, but I suppose I'm again one of the exceptions to the rule.
Back to my E-ciggy

   

[Charlie B53]

I even THINK of eating a slice of ham and I gain another 3 lbs of water!

I never touch a salt shaker except to pass it to my Wife.

[Rerun]

I'm on a pill to "raise" my bp so I guess I'll start doing those things!  101 is high for me.