Jump to content

Perennial health, not directly related to fitness, thread


Recommended Posts

1 hour ago, Aqua Buddha said:

Perfectly timed thread....

Turned 50 this year.  With last year's physical, everything was great.  All the lab metrics were normal to below normal.  Cholesterol was 190.  BP was 122/60.  This year everything was great.  Everything was inline to down from last year.  Even lost a few pounds.  Cholesterol was down to 160.  Blood pressure?  152/96.  What...the...fuck?

My entire life I've always been on the low range of normal but I guess the day I turned 50, that was done.  (In my 20's, I was somewhere around 95/55.)  I'm in good shape, exercise regularly, good diet, etc.  Just out of nowhere by BP shoots up for no reason.  Doctor said that arteries can harden as we age and BP can creep up.  She put me on some meds and wants to monitor at home.

I guess I'm now High Blood Pressure Guy....

My blood pressure has slowly been creeping up over the past 10 years or so (turned 50 this past December).  I'm right at what is now the "elevated" number of 120/80.  My doc hasn't prescribed any blood pressure mediation, and I've been holding steady with a combination of exercise, decreased sodium intake, and some supplements (l-citrulline and beet chews - who knows how effective they really are, but whatever).

One of my best friends has been taking blood pressure medication since his 30s.  He has hereditary high blood pressure, and he's been taking the same blood pressure medication that doctors have been prescribing since the 1950s or so.  It's kept everything in check.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

46 minutes ago, South Austin said:

My blood pressure has slowly been creeping up over the past 10 years or so (turned 50 this past December).  I'm right at what is now the "elevated" number of 120/80.  My doc hasn't prescribed any blood pressure mediation, and I've been holding steady with a combination of exercise, decreased sodium intake, and some supplements (l-citrulline and beet chews - who knows how effective they really are, but whatever).

One of my best friends has been taking blood pressure medication since his 30s.  He has hereditary high blood pressure, and he's been taking the same blood pressure medication that doctors have been prescribing since the 1950s or so.  It's kept everything in check.

Yeah, doctor wrote me a script and said it's easily managed if you catch it early enough.  What's frustrating is even when I was fat, I had good BP and other metrics.  I've been in fairly good shape for 10 or so years now and overnight it's now high.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Doc has had me on BP meds for over a year now. I was around 135-80 or slightly above. He first recommended better diet, more exercise, meditation, etc. and I was all about give me the meds. 

Lately I've decided to follow his initial advice and actively manage my health. Eating better, running more, even consistently following along to a few youtube yoga videos. Now I'm sleeping better and my BP is lower than the meds alone were taking it. I'm hoping that if I can keep this up, maybe I get off the meds in my Fall checkup.

High blood pressure is important to get in check. So many bad outcomes down the line.

Edited by Nice Guy Eddie
Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 hours ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

Doc has had me on BP meds for over a year now. I was around 135-80 or slightly above. He first recommended better diet, more exercise, meditation, etc. and I was all about give me the meds. 

Lately I've decided to follow his initial advice and actively manage my health. Eating better, running more, even consistently following along to a few youtube yoga videos. Now I'm sleeping better and my BP is lower than the meds alone were taking it. I'm hoping that if I can keep this up, maybe I get off the meds in my Fall checkup.

High blood pressure is important to get in check. So many bad outcomes down the line.

Interesting.  

Were you in good shape before?  What did you get your BP down to?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Aqua Buddha said:

Interesting.  

Were you in good shape before?  What did you get your BP down to?

Not really. I've been needing to lose 10-15 lbs for at least 5 years and allowed my cardio go to hell.  My BP is probably down to 115-75 now. Maybe 120-75. After taking the daily meds, it drops further.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/21/2025 at 8:05 AM, Aqua Buddha said:

I guess I'm now High Blood Pressure Guy....

 

scroll down to see lots of legit sources with their opinions.  health.harvard.edu etc.  

Google search "blood pressure potassium"

 

 

Find your sources as you do, but here are a few Dr. Berg clips worth a watch.  

 

 

 

There is also correlation to low Zinc being a cause of hypertension  

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, PRONG HORN said:

 

Find your sources as you do, but here are a few Dr. Berg clips worth a watch.  

 

 

One of the best things this guy does in his clips is having a "best sources of" section for his nutrient advice.  It's usually to eat whole food, but it pays to have a knowledge of when he recommends certain forms of any nutrient over others.  It's usually related to ease of uptake or bioavailability.  

ex.  some places sell Potassium Gluconate, Potassium Chloride, or Potassium Citrate etc.  Know which one you would use and why.  

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm developing the theory that if you minimize liquid calories and junk food, it may be almost impossible to overeat.  Like you body craves enough calories to maintain balance.  More calories on cardio days, fewer calories on NFL conference championship days.  Fill those needs with literally only chewable food, and there isn't much room in your appetite for more.

That's a very good thing, obviously,  And if you track protein intake, and wanna take in quite a bit (as a weightlifter) then you need liquid protein.  Again, it's real hard to eat enough steak, tuna, etc.  Need that whey protein and/or raw eggs.

If you really listen to your body it's simple.  Not EASY but definitely easier and more sustainable than you'd assume.  I'm down 5% of my body weight in the last month.  There's recent evidence I'm leveling out already, which is not ideal.  We'll see. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/21/2025 at 12:31 PM, Nice Guy Eddie said:

Doc has had me on BP meds for over a year now. I was around 135-80 or slightly above. He first recommended better diet, more exercise, meditation, etc. and I was all about give me the meds. 

Lately I've decided to follow his initial advice and actively manage my health. Eating better, running more, even consistently following along to a few youtube yoga videos. Now I'm sleeping better and my BP is lower than the meds alone were taking it. I'm hoping that if I can keep this up, maybe I get off the meds in my Fall checkup.

High blood pressure is important to get in check. So many bad outcomes down the line.

those are rookie numbers 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, Parliament said:

I'm developing the theory that if you minimize liquid calories and junk food, it may be almost impossible to overeat.  Like you body craves enough calories to maintain balance.  More calories on cardio days, fewer calories on NFL conference championship days.  Fill those needs with literally only chewable food, and there isn't much room in your appetite for more.

That's a very good thing, obviously,  And if you track protein intake, and wanna take in quite a bit (as a weightlifter) then you need liquid protein.  Again, it's real hard to eat enough steak, tuna, etc.  Need that whey protein and/or raw eggs.

If you really listen to your body it's simple.  Not EASY but definitely easier and more sustainable than you'd assume.  I'm down 5% of my body weight in the last month.  There's recent evidence I'm leveling out already, which is not ideal.  We'll see. 

5% when you start trying to lose weight is mostly retained water. It’s the easiest weight to lose and the easiest to gain back. 

You are correct there’s no way you can lose weight if you’re drinking lot of calories as an adult because they don’t fill you up and most calories in drinks are pure sugar. 

But absent a fad diet or medical intervention which are not sustainable, the only wait to drop weight and sustain a lower weight healthily is to eat healthily, I’ve described it on the other thread about ozempic but basically you have to avoid all added sugar and frankly animal saturated fats too (except eggs, limited plain yogurt and some low fat milk). Do that - strictly - and I do mean strictly - and then you don’t have to count calories. 

Edited by troph
  • Hook 'Em 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

21 minutes ago, Parliament said:

Can I eat grilled sirloin steak?  (Please say yes.)

Of course, the leaner the cut the better.  4-6oz is probs best.

Basically enjoy your steak like you enjoy your women - lean, light weight and then you can have it often. 

Edited by troph
Link to comment
Share on other sites

19 hours ago, Parliament said:

it may be almost impossible to overeat. 

If eating lean proteins, good fats, and green or colorful vegetables, that is 100% true.  You'll tap out at the table before you can consume too much.  The key is to avoid the rest of the hidden and empty calories (like the velveeta smothering the vegetables, the processed carbs in the breads, pastas, and really anything in a box).  When the body and mainly the digestive tract (starting in the mouth) are given what it was designed to process, it's amazing how efficiently it runs. 

Just like a combustion engine, bad fuel fubars the whole deal.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

34 minutes ago, troph said:

Of course, the leaner the cut the better.  4-6oz is probs best.

Basically enjoy your steak like you enjoy your women - lean, light weight and then you can have it often. 

pink in the middle 

yeah this high blood pressure shit is annoying.   I'm going back to the doc to adjust medication because I can't get below ~140/90 except for one reading the other week 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/28/2025 at 8:33 AM, Bill Brasky said:

pink in the middle 

yeah this high blood pressure shit is annoying.   I'm going back to the doc to adjust medication because I can't get below ~140/90 except for one reading the other week 

Are/were you on pills?  After putting me on Losartan, I've gotten down to about 135/85 on average but can't seem to crack that.  (I was 120/60 last year.)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Are/were you on pills?  After putting me on Losartan, I've gotten down to about 135/85 on average but can't seem to crack that.  (I was 120/60 last year.)

He wasn’t before this episode, but one could argue he probably should have been. Living in Bell county definitely doesn’t help the problem. Not everyone responds as desired to certain BP meds depending on the root cause of the hypertension, that’s why there’s so many different ones (ACE inhibitor vs Beta Blocker vs Calcium Channel blocker).

135/85 is better than 145/90, but it’s not ideal. If you are using one of those flimsy battery powered wrist cuffs from Walgreen’s I wouldn’t put a lot of faith in that being an accurate reading. If you are getting a proper BP reading and it is consistently in the range you listed, even with medication, I would ask your doctor about either increasing your dose or trying a different med.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

32 minutes ago, Herbie Hancock said:


He wasn’t before this episode, but one could argue he probably should have been. Living in Bell county definitely doesn’t help the problem. Not everyone responds as desired to certain BP meds depending on the root cause of the hypertension, that’s why there’s so many different ones (ACE inhibitor vs Beta Blocker vs Calcium Channel blocker).

135/85 is better than 145/90, but it’s not ideal. If you are using one of those flimsy battery powered wrist cuffs from Walgreen’s I wouldn’t put a lot of faith in that being an accurate reading. If you are getting a proper BP reading and it is consistently in the range you listed, even with medication, I would ask your doctor about either increasing your dose or trying a different med.

The flimsy battery powered wrist cuff from Walgreen's is exactly what I'm using.  What would you recommend otherwise?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The flimsy battery powered wrist cuff from Walgreen's is exactly what I'm using.  What would you recommend otherwise?

First suggestion is drop $50k on one of these.
13714148d7e861ddecb0d3ccfe2d06b4.jpg


It can also tell you if you’re having a heart attack. Alas, no automated BJ attachment (yet).

Now that I’ve had my laugh; did you read the instructions on how to use yours? Most have a specific posture they want (standing or seated), and then they also have specific instructions for where to put your arm that is wearing the cuff (across your chest, lying flat and level with your heart, etc), as well as which arm to use.

There’s really not a good automated one on the market that I’ve ever seen. They’re almost always 10-20 points off even when used correctly. If I had a dollar for everytime I had an LVN tell me their patient was 76/48; only for me to get one of 98/70, I’d be on a beach earning 20%. If you have a friend or family member that owns a stethoscope and manual BP cuff, that is the most accurate reading.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, Herbie Hancock said:


First suggestion is drop $50k on one of these.
13714148d7e861ddecb0d3ccfe2d06b4.jpg


It can also tell you if you’re having a heart attack. Alas, no automated BJ attachment (yet).

Now that I’ve had my laugh; did you read the instructions on how to use yours? Most have a specific posture they want (standing or seated), and then they also have specific instructions for where to put your arm that is wearing the cuff (across your chest, lying flat and level with your heart, etc), as well as which arm to use.

There’s really not a good automated one on the market that I’ve ever seen. They’re almost always 10-20 points off even when used correctly. If I had a dollar for everytime I had an LVN tell me their patient was 76/48; only for me to get one of 98/70, I’d be on a beach earning 20%. If you have a friend or family member that owns a stethoscope and manual BP cuff, that is the most accurate reading.

Interesting.....

I've noticed that since I've started monitoring mine daily, the Walgreens Special is all over the place, even in the same setting a few seconds apart.  Makes sense.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, Aqua Buddha said:

Are/were you on pills?  After putting me on Losartan, I've gotten down to about 135/85 on average but can't seem to crack that.  (I was 120/60 last year.)

I was not, I thought I was about to have a stroke or something and went to the e.r.  When they got me hooked up I was like 210/130.   I am now on metropolol or something like that. No bad side effects but a good side effect is I am sleeping better 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, F250 said:

Developing the theory?

 

Excuse Me Reaction GIF by One Chicago

I am cautious in my assumptions.  

Quote

You’d think the first theory would be move out of Ohio. 🤷‍♂️

Did that 25 years ago.  Moved to Dalart, TX of all places.  Great food in Texas.  Hodie's BBQ.

Edited by Parliament
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...