Heart-Healthy Info

NYMIANH, Very interesting. Unfortunately I am on 3 BP meds right now. Hope with diet (whole food plant based), exercise (trying for 30 minutes a day), stressing less/meditating more, and practicing compassion that I can get off the meds eventually. Right now I am going through cancer treatment for stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer.

I am reading Dr. Dean and his wife Anne Orish's latest book called UnDo It. His lifestyle medicine program has actually been approved by Medicare. Also he seems to make a lot of sense and uses lots of studies to back up his ideas. Check it out if you'd like to.

PS he talks about his plan helping to reduce heart issues, type 2 diabetes, prostate cancer in men.

Edited by: MARIELLE1944 at: 6/3/2019 (23:13)

I read in a medical study synopsis a while back that taking your ACE bp meds at night will not increase your risk for developing diabetes, but that taking it in the morning might. However, taking ACE inhibitors is healthier than NOT taking ACE inhibitors when prescribed, so the article encouraged people to just take the medications as prescribed, no matter what time of day.

There is some fascinating research on the timing of medication, and why it works.
This isn't a medical journal article, but I hope it's helpful:
www.aarp.org/health/drugs-su
pplements/
info-12-2013/timing-of-daily
-medic
ations-key.html#quest1

Appreciate the articles!

Blood Pressure low with C PaP . machine...!

Edited by: LINDA719 at: 5/17/2019 (19:07)

That article about blood pressure was quite interesting.

Great information! Thanks

Thanks for the mayo article it was very helpful.

Thank you for these articles. I think once I am done with 2 calendar challenges I have already started I'll try the healthy heart one.

To ANEWSTARTIN2018, I think the DASH diet is fairly easy to follow. Good luck!

I need to check out the dash diet plan
was it easy to follow???

I have also used the Dash Diet Plan and have lost weight from 138 to today I'm 124. Just hope my body will slow down on the weight lost as I'm 77 and don't want to get too skinny. I go the the gym and exercise at least two hours three times a week.I am on the BP pill for 3 years now.

Edited by: VDALE4 at: 10/26/2017 (12:43)

I am on the Dash Diet plan and it has really helped keep my blood pressure in check on most days.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditi
ons/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-healt
hy-diet/art-20046702

just copy, paste in search line and go................................

Edited by: MARIELLE1944 at: 8/10/2017 (13:29)

Great information Marielle1944! Thanks for sharing.

Polyunsaturated fats, found in certain fish, avocados, nuts and seeds, also are good choices for a heart-healthy diet. When used in place of saturated fat, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats may help lower your total blood cholesterol. But moderation is essential. All types of fat are high in calories. Mayo Clinic

More info:
https://www.goredforwomen.org/fight-hear
t-disease-women-go-red.../live-healthy/

Taking some medicine before bedtime is good for your heart

Normally in the morning, but have taken it in the afternoon or evening

This is an article from Mayo clinic on how weather affects blood pressure especially cold weather.

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditio
ns
/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/R>blood-pressure/faq-20058250

I do.

I take mine in the evening because I am more consistent and less likely to forget.

Who takes their HBP meds in the MORNING

OR

Who takesHBP meds in the EVENING

Pat in Maine.

I do morning and DH does evening. Anyone knows .
Pat in Maine.

Be active at your pace !

Some very interesting stuff here.

Agee, Do hang in there. With medication my BP is staying down pretty well.

MARIELLE1944.

Few more days before I begin.

Agee-glad you are doing better.

Currently physically shut down. But, not to worry. I'm on the road to recovery thanks to the Great Healer.

Still active in spite of!!

Stay active!!

Bio-Feedback, when learned has better results than you might imagine. Go to your book store and get a new lease on life that is much more sustainable than med.

Stress and relaxation co-exist. There's a war going on. But, guess what? Each of us are Generals in our own personal battles. We determine what battles to fight. That we have no control over, just leave them alone. God will guide and direct.

Movement relieves stress. Smiling while you do it enhances stress relieve.

Thank you for your post with ideas on how to relieve stress!

Sleep, Nutrition, Exercise, and Stress Free are the heart and soul of Heart-Healthy.

good news!

My systolic BP has been in 140's and 150's even on meds. Today it was 111/57 (Yeah).

Never forget to take your meds daily!

I find meditation helps to lower my BP.

I found I got amazing BP readings when I removed sugar and white flour from my diet. Within 2 weeks. When you make major diet changes you need to get pressure checked frequently to be on top if medication needs adjusting.

Yep!

I like these suggestions.

Excellent Information

Many great suggestions for dealing with stress. I hope that being here on SP will help me to improve #3!

Have a great day all!

some good points I had not thought of here . Thank you

Taking my meds every day and watching the salt intake helps keep my blood pressure within normal ranges.

Thanks for the post re managing stress. I'm determined to get back to taking one pill a day and I know stress is one of my issues.

Congratulations!!!

Great information, thank you for sharing

If you take warfarin, what percent of the time are you in thereupetic range? I am in range about 40% of the time. My PCP has me to check my PT/INR weekly. How often do you have your PT/INR levels checked?

Edited by: PGBACK at: 10/25/2015 (17:57)

If you are taking Warfrin always keep the apts to have you levels checked. It is imperative.

Bless you, have a good day.............

great post

Thanks for this!

7 ways to keep stress — and blood pressure — down

When it comes to preventing and treating high blood pressure, one often-overlooked strategy is managing stress. If you often find yourself tense and on-edge, try these seven strategies to reduce stress.

1. Get enough sleep. Inadequate or poor-quality sleep can negatively affect your mood, mental alertness, energy level, and physical health.

2. Learn relaxation techniques. Meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, deep breathing exercises, and yoga are powerful stress-busters.

3. Strengthen your social network. Connect with others by taking a class, joining an organization, or participating in a support group.

4. Hone your time-management skills. The more efficiently you can juggle work and family demands, the lower your stress level.

5. Try to resolve stressful situations if you can. Don't let stressful situations fester. Hold family problem-solving sessions and use negotiation skills at home and at work.

6. Nurture yourself. Treat yourself to a massage. Truly savor an experience: for example, eat slowly and really focus on the taste and sensations of each bite. Take a walk or a nap, or listen to your favorite music.

7. Ask for help. Don't be afraid to ask for help from your spouse, friends, and neighbors. If stress and anxiety persist, ask your doctor whether anti-anxiety medications could be helpful.

HARLIGOLDQUEEN

everyone!

I received some surprising news at my doctor visit this week. My blood pressure reading was within the normal range! The last time I heard that was four years ago. I've been taking HBP medications daily for over 20 years, but those alone could never bring it down enough. Kudos to the DASH Diet and working out for one hour a day ;>

Some form of exercise is healthy for our hearts

I've never felt like vitamin supplements do a lot of good, but after tracking my food I realize that I'm falling short so I start taking one of those once-a-day silver vitamins geared toward my stage of life (old, LOL). I always worried it might affect my appetite, but so far I can't tell any difference. It doesn't seem to affect my energy either. I'm halfway through the bottle and the cost is not so bad. I guess "time will tell" on all accounts.

Thanks for the info all. I just got a pacemaker and now take blood pressure medicine.

Perhaps everyone already knows this, but it is good info and news to me.
healthyeating.sfgate.com/reduce-sodi
um
-canned-beans-4219.html

yes Vit D insufficiency is very common in the northern states, we don't get enough sun during the winter and it can also cause things like depression, may be something that we all need to get checked out if we live where the winter is long

I may have said my doctor is quitting family practice to do nothing but weight management. He has been my doctor all my life so this is not making me happy. I went to his monthly meeting Wed. as i may have said and it gets me back on track. He teaches no sugar and no bad carbs and to limit fruit and root vegetables because of sugar and carbs. He already goes to the hospitals around the area and takes patients here as well. Just looking at the people that come to the meeting shows that it works plus exercise. He had a therapist and a nurse demonstrate the proper way to do exercises as well how to begin without hurting oneself. I am fascinated with the stability ball, looks like fun. This morning I start exercising in the morning as I seldom do it in the evening cause I am too tired. Have a great day, Georgine

wow, I read about 10 posts, and I realize that I need to get educated about my chronic high blood pressure. Potassium, magnesium, calcium...what's all that about? I also have a stint, diabetes and high cholesterol. I meet with a nutritionist and practical nurse on Feb. 7. I purchased a bp cuff and a glucose meter, but am frustrated with the directions. Ahhhh...God help me...I don't know what I'm doing.

I have a doctor's appointment today, just to check my bp. My doctor wants me to come in to his office just to check my bp, every 2 weeks for 6 weeks.

Potassium, magnesium and calcium are all interrelated in heart health. Magnesium helps your body rebuild after damage. Deficiency can create heart palpitations (it did in my neighbor) and give you sore muscles as well as hyper hearing (which I had all my life and didn't know it). I'm not sure about what your doctor said, but potatoes are very good for you, it's what we put on them that is the problem. Because of commercial farming, I've heard that it is almost impossible to get all your minerals through eating, so I take supplements as well. My doctor did an overall test (cheaper than testing for deficiency) and I'm now normal. B vitamins can also affect heart health.

But none of that is all that important now for me. I gained 10lbs (yikes!) over the last year, and it has driven my BP up. :( Time to get to work on that!

My doctor tells us to eat potatoes in moderation because of the carbs that are in them. also any root vegetable as the carbs can spike an insulin reaction. I am ok with doing it that way as i won't give up my potatoes either!!

I was really surprised when I looked up the link on potassium. I never expected potatoes to be so high. Too long has people been encourage to steer away from potatoes when dieting.

My potassium and magnesium are both usually low no matter what i have eaten. I forgot to ask my doctor about it. From what I have read it is low for most of us . I don't pay attention to those when I am choosing what to cook.I was surprised when the doctor checked my Vit D that I had almost none in my system so i am taking vitamin D. I live in northern Minnesota so we bundle up to goout and leave mostly the face exposed and I guess the face can't absorb it outside. I will check with my doctor for the other 2 but I won't see him for another month. anybody else have any input about potassium and magnesium levels? Have a great day. 10 below here this morning but the sun is shining and that makes me feel good!! Georgine

Edited by: CAPTAINMORGAN2 at: 1/16/2015 (13:51)

I have been eating sweet potatoes and grapefruit, but my potassium levels are still low. I think I am going to start taking an once-a-day type vitamin. Before I started tracking I never realized I wasn't getting enough.

last check up with my doctor was great bit now I have been feeling a little dizzy now and then when I get up and move too fast. I had 1 reading at 93/52 and another later 92/46 so i emailed y doctor's office thru my MyHealth account and asked how low is too low. She said anything below 90 is too low?? so after i pass out and bang my head i should let her know my BP went too low??--just kidding. I guess i will just keep monitoring my BP and keep them updated as she said. My doctor is teaching weight management here and in different hospitals so isn't in his office a lot. He teaches no sugar and no bad carbs and limit root veggies and fruit I have been to his once a month class and those people are proof that it works. oatmeal is one that i still have as we enjoy it. have a great day and don't let xmas wear you out.Georgine

interesting