What does this photo have to do with blood pressure? Read to find out…
The Lows About High Blood Pressure
Do you have high blood pressure and it’s scaring you a bit? I do, and I exercise daily, eat healthfully, and follow all the guidelines for a strong cardiovascular system. Yet my doctor says my blood pressure levels put me at high risk for a stroke or heart attack. He knits his brows, looks hard at my chart, and wants to put me on a lifetime of medicine. What gives??!! I am definitely worried about my new, unwanted blood pressure readings.
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From Low to High with No Warning
Dog walking – good way to reduce blood pressure. And this prime pooch is not even a blood hound.
Having high blood pressure is particularly confounding as I exercise, regularly. A lot. Not only do I walk my dogs daily, but also I teach fitness classes several times a week, every week for the last 37 years. I used to be the person sent home from the blood donation sites with a cookie, and “thanks, but no thanks, your blood pressure is too low to donate blood safely. Try not to get head rush on your way up and out.”
At first I thought my elevated readings were a result of the “white coat effect,” which is having a false high reading due to nerves or anxiety from being in a doctor’s office. I am not the nervous sort, but I thought this might explain my newly high blood pressure. I AM, however, the sort to avoid medication, which is what the doctor was suggesting. We made a deal – I would go home, measure my blood pressure for a few months, and come back with the recorded readings. Then we’d reevaluate what to do.
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Omron Blood Pressure Monitor – Yes; Medication – No
Talk about timing and serendipity. Shortly thereafter, Omron asked my sister and me whether we’d be willing to try their new portable, wireless, lightweight blood pressure monitor, EVOLV. Since the father of her children had suffered from two strokes, and I had shifted from “that fit and active person with super low blood pressure” to the “midlife, post-menopausal woman whose doctor looked worried — very worried — despite my good activity habits,” we decided to take Omron up on its offer. Yes, Omron is sponsoring this post and has compensated us.
BEFORE High Blood Pressure AFTER High Blood Pressure
Do you see a difference in my health risk in the two photos above? Nor do I, and that’s the point. You don’t know until it’s too late or unless you take readings.
Over 60 — and I Don’t Mean My Age
Like me, are you in the not elite group of 103 million Americans classified as hypertensive? (Meaning our blood pressure is higher than 130/80mmHg). Gaaah, this is NOT the award I want to win. In the US, cardio disease is still the number one cause of death with strokes being the top cause of adult disability. The scary part of this is that people like me (Perhaps YOU?) may have no idea we are at risk until we suffer a heart attack or stroke. The only other way — definitely, the preferred method — is to track blood pressure and resting heart rate.
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My Omron monitor is super easy to use and it syncs with their free app so I can track, record, and review my readings. Plus the app allowed me to set up reminders on my cell phone. I don’t know about you, but I need those daily notifications or the day is over before I remember to slide the cuff on. Guess what?! Yeah, bad news. After two weeks of tracking, turns out I classify as “Stage 2 Hypertensive.” Consistently, alas. My resting heart rate is also higher than I expected, want, or am used to. Keep in mind, I don’t drink, smoke, live a sedentary life, or eat a ton of processed foods, all potential causes of hypertension. So I am back to “what gives?” Why did my readings go up so high in such a relatively short time?
Arming Myself with Knowledge and the Omron Cuff
Omron Connect App. Free and Easy (Unlike me)
Armed with the information the Omron monitor and my doctor have provided, (like that “arm” pun?) I now have a mystery to solve and medication to continue to avoid. What do I need to change to get my readings back into healthy ranges? Heck, I’d be happy to get kicked out of the Stage 2 phase down to Stage 1 at this point. I will focus on getting back to low blood pressure one stage at a time.
I am happy to exercise and move more. No doubt my dogs would love that as it means even more frequent, intense, or longer dog walks, as one added option. Could be the weight I have gained since turning 50 (yeah, a few years and 30 pounds ago). Another good guess is that stress and poor sleep contribute to these high numbers. The main stressor in my life this past 11 months is almost over; my sleep quality is improving as of a week ago (see this sentence on stress being lowered after an intense year of high stress. The untold story….); my added weight is starting to sloooooowly come off.
Mystery Not Yet Solved
Any of you experience a similar situation where you thought you were doing everything “right,” yet saw your blood pressure going in the wrong direction? It’s mystifying, frustrating, and a bit frightening. It’s also a puzzle to figure out, which motivates me. Having the numbers off the Omron monitor and into my phone is also motivating. I really like the chart the Omron Connect app creates. What I don’t like is that the monitor won’t lie to me, darn it. Why does it have to be so accurate?!
A month from now I will post again on my progress. Let’s see if reducing stress, sleeping better, and adding more movement make a difference. Fingers crossed (but not my legs as that might give a false reading).
ACTION: Read my sister’s two sad stories about high blood pressure and strokes: No More Strokes or Heart Attacks and Project Zero. Then check your blood pressure. For yourself and your loved ones. Do it. Nag nag pester pester.
by Kymberly Williams-Evans
The post Your Blood Pressure: Should You Be Worried? appeared first on Fun and Fit: Active Aging Answers for Boom Chicka Boomers.