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Hmmm. To take blood pressure meds or not to..

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FWIW, serious weightlifting can elevate your BP a bit, at least that's what happened to me. When I was a on strength building program (for high school football) a few years back, my BP was consistently borderline. When I finished my senior year of football (and stopped lifting on a constant basis), my BP dropped, and there was no other differences in my diet or activities.

Almost every study I've seen said that it will spike your BP during activity but the long term effect is a slight reduction. The big part is the mental aspect. I simply feel a hell of a lot more relaxed when I'm lifting regularly. It's a healthy way of venting frustration/anxiety. I actually get cranky when I'm not lifting or working out regularly.
 
It's odd how helpful, honest, and empowering this thread has been - thanks guys, I really mean it! My bp monitor should be here tomorrow (yay amazon prime!) and I'm having tilapia and green beans tonight. I'll probably puke a little but I think blandness and yuck will actually help me disassociate pleasure with food... Gotta think of food as a necessity, after all. Gym in the morning and my wife will be joining as well and we're both sticking to the same diet - the luck of marrying a chubby girl, we both have the same goals! Also taking my meds and the recommended supplements.. Though my breath will probably smell like shit... That's me, the fat, sweaty, fish breath having new real estate agent who could be moments away from having a heart attack at 29! Let's buy a place from him! 😉

Oh - last question. I'd like to avoid dairy but wonder if soy milk is a helpful substitute. I mean, I know it's not dairy but is the sodium content high enough to negate any benefit?

EDIT: PS

And I figured out why I'm freaking out so much and probably in denial at first- this is the first time in my life, even though I was fat as long as I've been alive, that being overweight has been something more than an annoyance. It's funny how long I've gotten away with a rack of ribs and fries being an ok option for dinner and fried chicken a suitable lunch... I mean, I can blame my parents for instilling negative values until my heart explodes, but I'm the fat ass that was on a "diet" yet still ate bacon... Especially being married - I went from being single and 210 pounds to being content to the point of rocketing up to 287.... Sickening.... Fuck it, no more.. Thanks guys, I'll be sure to pace myself (I don't want to die on a treadmill!), but this isn't something than can wait for the New Year but needs to be fixed right now.
 
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It's odd how helpful, honest, and empowering this thread has been - thanks guys, I really mean it! My bp monitor should be here tomorrow (yay amazon prime!) and I'm having tilapia and green beans tonight. I'll probably puke a little but I think blandness and yuck will actually help me disassociate pleasure with food... Gotta think of food as a necessity, after all. Gym in the morning and my wife will be joining as well and we're both sticking to the same diet - the luck of marrying a chubby girl, we both have the same goals! Also taking my meds and the recommend supplements.. Though my breath will probably smell like shit... That's me, the fat, sweaty, fish breath having new real estate agent who could be moments from having a heart attack at 29! Let's buy a place from him! 😉

Oh - last question. I'd like to avoid dairy but wonder if soy milk is a helpful substitute. I mean, I know it's not dairy but is the sodium content high enough to negate any benefit?

Fish Oil pills shouldn't give you bad breath unless you decide to break the capsules apart.

Can't really answer your soy milk question, but it's just downright disgusting. Just eat/drink dairy in moderation, no need to substitute it.
 
Fish Oil pills shouldn't give you bad breath unless you decide to break the capsules apart.

Can't really answer your soy milk question, but it's just downright disgusting. Just eat/drink dairy in moderation, no need to substitute it.

Thanks - I remember having awful breath the last time I tried fish oil, but I probably used a crappy brand.

Just googled - soy milk actually may lower hypertension. I agree, it tastes like ass but milk and whole grain cereal would make an affordable breakfast, yet I'm reading a lot about the benefits of cutting back dairy.
 
As a person who has had to take BP meds for the past 30 years I'll say this, get a second opinion. There are side effects with all BP meds, some minor some not so minor. For being over weight a BP of 165/80 isn't too bad. The diastolic number is high, (BP on the heart beat) but the systolic number is right were it should be, (BP at rest). Weight loss and exercise will help bring the top number down.

If those were my numbers at your age without meds and a doctor wanted to put me on a long term medication without first trying the weight loss & exercise routine I'd want to know if there was some other reason or risk factor he was picking up on. I'd then go get a second opinion and in your case ask the father-in-law.

Yeah having to take a leak every 30 minutes sucks 🙂

OP, does high blood pressure run in your family? If it does dropping weight doesn't necessarily mean you'll drop the bp numbers.

Fish Oil pills shouldn't give you bad breath unless you decide to break the capsules apart.

Can't really answer your soy milk question, but it's just downright disgusting. Just eat/drink dairy in moderation, no need to substitute it.

What soy is awesome!
 
I agree, it tastes like ass but milk and whole grain cereal would make an affordable breakfast, yet I'm reading a lot about the benefits of cutting back dairy.

Instead of cereal, go for steel cut oats and a bit of honey and cinnamon for flavor. You get protein and fiber and next to no fat and a clean form of sugar. Not really sure what to say about soy milk...I think it's health benefits are a bit over hyped.

Here's an article that helped me clean up my diet and got me to shed 25 pounds that I didn't need to carry. The nice thing about it is that it focus on both clean foods..but also ones that satiate too...which is a huge issue with people trying to restrict calories.

http://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/nutritious-powerfoods-abs-diet
 
Instead of cereal, go for steel cut oats and a bit of honey and cinnamon for flavor. You get protein and fiber and next to no fat and a clean form of sugar. Not really sure what to say about soy milk...I think it's health benefits are a bit over hyped.

Here's an article that helped me clean up my diet and got me to shed 25 pounds that I didn't need to carry. The nice thing about it is that it focus on both clean foods..but also ones that satiate too...which is a huge issue with people trying to restrict calories.

http://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/nutritious-powerfoods-abs-diet

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Accept no substitutes. :thumbsup:
 
Take the meds. I'm 28, went in and measured 160 over 90. Slightly overweight, but not much (could stand to lose 15 lbs). Fairly healthy diet, lots of walking throughout my day, no smoking, and occasional drinking. I basically ran down my entire lifestyle to my doc, and he said at my age, short of being very overweight there was little I could to cause this. Blood tests ruled out any acute issues, so he put me on 50mg Toprol XL every day. After a couple of weeks, I got used to it - no side effects at all. The fatigue is gone and I can get back to losing weight.

He told me if its my weight, I can get off the meds and that he'll look to do that as I hold up my end of the bargain.
 
Almond Breeze. Pass on the soy.

Yes. Especially the sugar-free Almond Breeze
It's the only stuff I use for smoothies and shakes.

I still can't pass up actual dairy-milk for cereal or drinking straight with a meal, but I definitely need to check how that sugar-free almond breeze works with oatmeal and other hot cereals.

I still have a little ways to go to clean up my dietary habits, I'm taking the slow but steady road toward better habits. One dietary change at a time, getting adjusted to it and telling myself I am enjoying it.

The hardest mindset in the American way of life is accepting that the best tasting, eating for enjoyment approach, is hardly a good idea.
Good eats doesn't have to be terrible tasting, but one has to be honest in saying that healthy eating isn't nearly as amazing in flavor as the less-nutritious approach. We can't simply search for every possible pleasure in food and actually walk away without waddling as folds hang and swing to and fro'.
But I stand by the idea that slow and steady wins the race dammit. 😀
Think about it: make a dietary adjustment, just one... as you get used to it (and accepting it isn't as awesome as other stuff), after awhile you won't feel so cheated as long as you stick to the course. Once that adjustment is out of the way, you make another. Hell, you might even find the first adjustment is even more desirable since you have adjusted your tastes. You slowly discover new ways to improve these adjustments, ones that are still in the healthy guidelines. A little sugar of some sort isn't the devil, but you have to be careful not to sweeten so much it becomes impossible to tell apart from what you left behind.

Eh, blabbering on again. Time to go to bed, already quit BC2 after deciding I was playing quite terribly.

/blog
 
Almond Breeze. Pass on the soy.

My wife is lactose intolerant and uses Almond Breeze. She's been through the various soy milk products and rice milk as well. The Almond Breeze is the only one she likes...and I'll even use it if I'm out of regular milk.

OP, since you've stated that hypertension runs in the family, diet and exercise aren't likely to cure the problem. They MAY help...but not enough to prevent you from taking the meds. I've known guys who were skinny as a rail, in excellent physical shape, who had severe high blood pressure...all genetics.
 
165/80 ? lightweight.

my BP is 340/210. i'm like the Flash. my body moves at speeds never thought possible for human beings.
 
Stay off the cigarettes. Keep trying to lose weight, though the smoking is the real priority - tobacco use has by far the biggest impact on cardiac and vascular disease. If you start on hypertension drugs, it'll probably be for life. However, there's only so much you can change purely through lifestyle changes - if you're stuck with high blood pressure, then you're stuck. Though since you're quite young, you'll probably have a better outlook.
 
My BP got up to 175/125. I got on the medicine and felt way better after two days. I also got on the Sugarbuster diet. I've lost 35 pounds in four months. I feel so much better that I can't believe that I lived like that for so long. I'd never go back.
 
I'm not asking for medical advice, just if people can share their experience and wisdom. My father in law's a cardiologist as well so I'll of course check with him when I see him next...

Firstly, I'm only 29 years old. I went to a new doctor just for a routine check up and it turns out his specialty is cardiology. After an hour of testing he concluded that I had dangerously high blood pressure - 165 over 80, and that I would need to start taking Exforge HCT. I asked him if there were any alternatives - I'm a fat ass former smoker and quit smoking just weeks ago, and have lost 30 pounds this year with the aim to lose 45 more next year (and I'm dieting and exercising appropriately, but admit to needing more exercising discipline). According to him, diet and exercise will not be enough, but should I be seeking a second opinion?

My thing is that I'm a fat ass - 250 pounds right now but I used to weight 280+. I feel that, through increased exercise and continuing my current dietary changes, my blood pressure would regulate in time. I've seen my parents go from doctor to doctor and get drugged up with so many prescriptions that I feel like this could be a slippery slope.

Since I'm only 29 and worried about a lifetime of drugging myself up, my question is: should I take this news as:

A) Time to take those meds! (and, of course, continue to lose weight)

B) A wake up call - go to the gym immediately after work. Go at least every other day and make no more excuses, while monitoring my blood pressure and following up with a cardiologist every month

C) Get a second opinion

First of all, you'll need a follow up session that measures blood pressure three times a day for at the very least a week before you even consider any of that shit. Second... SINCE FUCKING WHEN was 165/80 a value that needs to be treated with medication AT ALL?

Get a new doctor, this one sucks.
 
At 29 you should avoid anything artificial. I recommend plenty of cardio and stress reduction activities. And a change in diet should be a no-brainer. I'm 31 and overweight as well, and very highly stressed, but my blood pressure is fine cuz I still get plenty of exercise. You dont need drugs, you need a change in life style. Also, a baby aspirin every day.

Mom just diagnosed with high pressure and her doctor is recommending everything except medicine. He wants her to eat healthy, fine ways to reduce life and work stress, and get some real exercise, not those long walks to the train station.
 
Thanks - I remember having awful breath the last time I tried fish oil, but I probably used a crappy brand.

Just googled - soy milk actually may lower hypertension. I agree, it tastes like ass but milk and whole grain cereal would make an affordable breakfast, yet I'm reading a lot about the benefits of cutting back dairy.

Skip the O3 caps though, they will raise your hypertension if you take enough and do nothing if you don't.

Olive oil seems to help, if you like olives, that's good news, if you don't, just use olive oil for any side dish (cooking with it sucks though, baking with it works just fine).
 
First of all, you'll need a follow up session that measures blood pressure three times a day for at the very least a week before you even consider any of that shit. Second... SINCE FUCKING WHEN was 165/80 a value that needs to be treated with medication AT ALL?

Get a new doctor, this one sucks.


From the American Heart Association:

Classification of blood pressure for adults age 18 years and older
Category Systolic (mm Hg) Diastolic (mm Hg)
Normal* less than 120 and less than 80
Prehypertension 120–139 or 80–89

Hypertension
Stage 1 140–159 or 90–99
Stage 2 160 or higher or 100 or higher

If the OP didn't have a family history of high blood pressure, it MIGHT be treatable w/o the use of medication, but since he appears to have a genetic predisposition towards hypertension, medications will probably be his best/only chance to control the high blood pressure.
 
Take the medication. You can go off of it later once you lose weight and get your health under control, but you need it now. It can prevent damage to your arteries in the mean time. If you have a family history of high BP, though, even being at an optimal weight with a healthy diet and exercise, you may still need medication. There's nothing wrong with that (I know some people in that boat).
 
My BP got up to 175/125. I got on the medicine and felt way better after two days. I also got on the Sugarbuster diet. I've lost 35 pounds in four months. I feel so much better that I can't believe that I lived like that for so long. I'd never go back.
Dang, that's crazy. How were you able to function?
 
Dang, that's crazy. How were you able to function?

I didn't function well. I thought it was normal, because I had been like that all my life. Just going to work five days per week completely exhausted me. I would literally be so worn out that I didn't want to drive to the store to get food. I had constant sinus problems and I was sick all of the time. This was for years and years. About a year ago it started getting worse. My stomach would get sour and I'd spend 12 hours or more being extremely nauseous and throwing up, sometimes passing out in the bathroom.

I went to the doctor, they said it was a virtual certainty that I had or was about to have heart attack (fortunately I didn't), and the doctor gave me the straight story.

So now I eat properly, exercise daily, and I feel better. I still occasionally eat pizza and stuff, but I don't drink soda anymore and I've stopped craving sugar. I was a complete carb addict. Since I've been taking blood pressure medicine and doing Sugarbusters, my blood sugar is down, my triglycerides are down, I haven't had any sinus problems and I haven't missed a day of work.

So from about 18-28 I was alive, but I was not living.
 
First of all, you'll need a follow up session that measures blood pressure three times a day for at the very least a week before you even consider any of that shit. Second... SINCE FUCKING WHEN was 165/80 a value that needs to be treated with medication AT ALL?

Get a new doctor, this one sucks.

Assuming he's been consistently at 165/80 and this is not a one-time reading, then he most certainly needs medication in addition to lifestyle changes. I don't know the OPs medical history, but his goal is most likely to achieve a BP of 140/90 or less, or, if he has diabetes or chronic kidney disease, 130/80 or less. Since he's more than 20/10 over goal, he most likely needs 2 (or more) medications.

Medication is not indicated when someone is prehypertensive (between 120/80 and 139/89).

Also, diet and exercise can lower BP... weight reduction has a variable effect of 5-20 mmHg loss for every 20 lbs lost, following the DASH diet plan 8-14 mmHg loss, physical activity in general (30 mins almost every day) can reduce by 4-9 mmHg.
 
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I'm not asking for medical advice, just if people can share their experience and wisdom. My father in law's a cardiologist as well so I'll of course check with him when I see him next...

Firstly, I'm only 29 years old. I went to a new doctor just for a routine check up and it turns out his specialty is cardiology. After an hour of testing he concluded that I had dangerously high blood pressure - 165 over 80, and that I would need to start taking Exforge HCT. I asked him if there were any alternatives - I'm a fat ass former smoker and quit smoking just weeks ago, and have lost 30 pounds this year with the aim to lose 45 more next year (and I'm dieting and exercising appropriately, but admit to needing more exercising discipline). According to him, diet and exercise will not be enough, but should I be seeking a second opinion?

My thing is that I'm a fat ass - 250 pounds right now but I used to weight 280+. I feel that, through increased exercise and continuing my current dietary changes, my blood pressure would regulate in time. I've seen my parents go from doctor to doctor and get drugged up with so many prescriptions that I feel like this could be a slippery slope.

Since I'm only 29 and worried about a lifetime of drugging myself up, my question is: should I take this news as:

A) Time to take those meds! (and, of course, continue to lose weight)

B) A wake up call - go to the gym immediately after work. Go at least every other day and make no more excuses, while monitoring my blood pressure and following up with a cardiologist every month

C) Get a second opinion

first off, bullshit... diet and exercise will lower your blood pressure.

secondly, here's an alternative to medication... http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/news/20070316/chiropractic-cuts-blood-pressure

finally, if diet and exercise and the alternative don't work, then try taking meds
 
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