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My first little ripe tomato...almost too cute to eat.

Beautiful salads for our lunches

Last fall at my annual physical, my doctor was concerned about my blood pressure numbers creeping upwards.  I monitored at home and it seemed fine, but when I went back for a follow-up visit, my blood pressure was high again.  Then at a second follow-up, same results even though I was watching the salt and taking daily dose of atenonol.
My doctor wanted to put me on a different medication, but not just before I would be away for three months as it would require monitoring.  A little scary.  My insurance will not pay for doctor's visits in Florida, only trips to an emergency room.  That seems like a not very practical or cost-effective way to monitor blood pressure and the effects of a new medication, so we made an appointment for yet another blood pressure follow-up in April.
In the meantime, I have checked and recorded my blood pressure readings for a week in late January and for seven days two weeks ago.  It goes up and down, but I get a prehypertension level reading way too often, not to mention an occasional hypertension reading.  I think I do a decent job relative to the DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) plan even before I ever heard of it.
SOoo...it looks like new medication and follow-up visits to the doctor are on the agenda for when I get home.  I have been practicing with a potassium cocktail, since it is the potassium level that will need the monitoring.  I am not overly fond of bananas, but I can stand this whipped up in a blender:
  • a cut up banana (peeled)
  • juice from on or two oranges
  • a dash of coconut milk
I will really miss the orange tree!


Comments

  1. Your cocktail sounds delicious!! Good luck getting the BP under control. Sucks to get old!! I try to ignore health issues, and enjoy each day. Probably catch up with me sooner or later.

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  2. I'm sorry you are having to deal with this ugly demon. At least for now I've been spared that one. I understand it can be an ugly actor. Sounds to me like you've done everything you can do. I hope the new medicine works wonders for you.

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  3. Best of luck!

    Ohhhhhhhhh those health issues. Not a neat part of aging.

    But, the alternative is unthinkable. [Or however that saying goes...]

    ♥ Gentle hugs ♥

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  4. Do you have "white coat" BP? Mine is high at the doctor's office but Ok at home. Some people get anxious at a Dr's office which makes it go up.
    Regardless, the BP diet is a good one to be on for many reasons.
    I will check out DASH as a preventive. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm like Arkansas Patti. The minute I walk in the heart doctor's office, up goes my blood pressure. I've never heard it called "white coat BP" but I think that sounds like a good description.

    Take care of yourself. It is scary to deal with blood pressure issues.

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  6. I have had threshold levels for a while, but since I started losing weight two months ago my readings are better. I guess eating healthily pays off. Good luck with your treatment.

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  7. good luck with your new regimen. You live a healthy lifestyle so I think you will be fine.

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  8. My goodness these salads look really good. I know it has to be hard on you to monitor your blood pressure but please do take care of yourself.
    I so need to join you in your new regimen especially if you can teach me how to make a salad that looks this good.
    Have a great weekend
    Love
    Maggie

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  9. Good for you for monitoring your BP. I worked as a BP Clinic coordinator, and gave talks to teach folks how to monitor.
    I also write a blog about health issues.
    Here is the resource page. It may give you some ideas?

    Take care, thanks for visiting my blog!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Olga, Many research studies have proven that aerobic exercise lowers blood pressure. My physiologist warned me (during my Cardiac Rehab) to "cool down" after aerobic exercise so my blood pressure doesn't plummet and cause me to faint. So - you may want to add some aerobic activity to your schedule (though you probably do already).

    ReplyDelete

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