Lowering blood pressure on PP

[Songwriter]

Anyone care to share some things you have read that help to lower blood pressure? Things to eat, supplements, things not to eat, anything. Or where to get the info.

At one time last year, BP went up too high, unexplainably. Got on BP med. Then got off it and took care of it on my own. It came back down. A month ago, it got up too high again. Now, it is running pre-hypertension... about 137/88. Just got my best reading in days today... 125/79. I have been eating good PP for about a week. Plus taking celery seed extract caps.

[BeccainSC]

Have you tried magnesium? According to the PPLP book one of the "miracles" of magnesium is it's affect on BP.


'becca

[gitfiddle]

Bill, my BP has dropped to a new low recently. I've always taken magnesium but in the last month I've been careful to get a good dose of lecithin and fish oil daily, as opposed to intermittently. My systolic has been consistently 110 for the last few weeks where it was running 120 - 130. Might be related. Also, my cho, trig, ldl have dropped a bit and my hdl upped a bit. I can't say my stress factor has changed at all but I don't feel depressed like I did over winter. It's certainly not exercise because I'm limping around like an old lady with tendinitis in my knee.

[Songwriter]

I take fish oil and baby aspirin. I was taking potassium and magnesium but something I read (by someone I respect, like Dr. Michael Eades maybe) scared me off of it a few months ago. Likely, it had to do with heart disease. I had a stent put in Jan/2006 and have had some weird things happen since that baffle the docs. Next crisis is gall bladder surgery in July. And I have to undergo a heart evaluation before they will do it and I need BP down as low as I can get it. Avapro (drug) worked for me but I want to do it without it, if possible.

Celery seed extract, so says the literature, works for many and they surmise it is a natural diuretic (that does NOT mess up electrolyte levels) and also a natural vasodilator. Beats me, the doc who wrote the article is also on the board of the supplement company, so, I have no idea if it works. The health food lady says it is great but you know how that is.

There is an interesting looking product Melaleuca just came out with. It uses peptides and some other ingredients. On paper, it looks like it has good potential.

Of course, if I can do it without any more pills at all, that is best.

I was thinking "Why should my BP rise?" It dawned on me that, at 53, perhaps I just reached the point where "hardening of the arteries" has manifested itself. If you make the vessels less pliant, that would increase blood pressure.

I drink too much beer, that is not good. I'm sure alcohol makes BP go up. But I'm trying to cut down.

One thing that is interesting to me is that when my BP is up, I have "heart pain." Which makes me wonder what is going on in there? I mean, I suspect (maybe incorrectly) that it is around the stent. If so, that bugs me. Although, I had a follow-up cath procedure done ten months after the stent and they gave me "all clear" in my arteries. Next time I see a cardiologist, I hope I remember to ask him/her about this minor pain and hope I get an answer. It's disconcerting. It took me a long time to tie the pain (it's minor) to elevated BP.

There have been a couple of times BP has gone up to, say, 190/110. I have no idea why. Then it will go back down. This happened 23 days ago and has not gone that high since. Very strange. I cannot tie it to anything I do.

It might have something to do with heart rate. Mine fluctuates quite a bit and is often, very low.

[BeccainSC]

I very seriously doubt that Dr. Mike would've written anything to scare you off potassium or magnesium, they stress in everything of theirs that I have ever read to take both of those! In fact, if you were to order their pyramid kit from the Cookworx site potassium and magnesium are included in the kit!

Beyond recommending these two things and suggesting trying to reduce stress levels I don't feel comfortable giving other advice. If you're having pains, you should talk to your doctor.


'becca

[Songwriter]

Thank you for posting. But I get tired of "see a doctor." I am sick of seeing doctors. When I have to see a doctor, I see a doctor. I have to see one in three weeks, that's soon enough. I'm sure there are many things that can be recommended to someone about lowering blood pressure. As I said, the pain is minor, a very dull ache. And I spent six days in the hospital just a few months ago and as I said, they found my arteries clear.

I intently listen to docs but I also research stuff on my own. And not one single doctor that I see knows anything other than pharma/surgery. Heck, I even got diagnosed with gall bladder disease... well, gallstones... and have to get the gall bladder out. All the doc said was "eat a bland diet." What's a bland diet? I have to dig it up on my own?

And btw, I have since found it that not only could I NOT tie gall bladder trouble to anything diet related BEFORE diagnosis, I can't tie it to any trouble since. In fact, I've been largely, trouble-free since. But if I pass a gallstone, again, I'll rush back in. That's what they told me to do. I wanted it taken out right then but they couldn't do it.

I don't know but it might have been Dr. Mike on the potassium/mag thing. Not sure, but it might have been because I do read him regularly. There have been some things he promotes but later on, you'll see "But if you have heart disease" or whatever... "it might do this or that."

[soopy]

Songwriter,

Check a few threads back in this forum for DVDMon's post on the same issue. There were lots of responses.......

Speaking from this household, DH has been eating lots of celery, basking in his infra red sauna, and using his Resperate. (Those things are 'new' in addition to the usual supplements we've taken for ages) The BP is down significantly. If I had to pick one, I'd say the Resperate is probably the most significant factor in the improvement. I'd say stress was the biggest factor in the high numbers, and it really does get you to relax.

Anyway, there seems to be lots of things to try. Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

[Songwriter]

Duh. I forgot about the other thread and I knew about it.

I am going to keep on as as I have been so I can tell if the celery seed extract caps are working. Then, I will add cinnamon. I guess. My concern is that I will tire of it. I can't imagine having cinnamon every day.

The hand grip, I can do that easily. I even have one somewhere.

I think the Resperate would definitely work but that's out of the non-budget.

I like to go on long walks but I am always trying to learn lyrics on these walks (thinking it's good to be so efficient with time) and I wonder if that is not creating more stress. I don't understand the "walking meditation" mentioned in the other thread but I would think it would be good. And I would rather "meditate" while walking than just sitting still.

What's a DH? Or a DW? I suppose it is husband/wife but what does D mean? (EDIT: Never mind, "dear husband/wife," I suppose, is what it means.)

[soopy]

I agree, the Resperate is a bit on the pricey side. However, plenty of supplements could add up to that kind of $$$ over not too much time, and overall if you count the cost (possible BP lowering meds and in health terms) of long term unchecked high blood pressure ...... well then it seems a bit more reasonable. That's how I justified it anyway, and it seems to be paying off.

Cinnamon is actually pretty good stirred into a cup of coffee.

I think the walking meditation is just being conscious of things around you as you go, such as bird sounds, what flowers are blooming etc. rather than getting all caught up in your own thoughts. I can't say I'm very good at it, but I'm working on it.

[Gaelen]

I think the walking meditation is just being conscious of things around you as you go, such as bird sounds, what flowers are blooming etc. rather than getting all caught up in your own thoughts. I can't say I'm very good at it, but I'm working on it.

That is one very good approach to describing walking meditation...it is an effort to increase your consciousness and your ability to be in the present, by focusing and taking in and accepting the world that surrounds you rather than shutting the world out and turning inward.

[hawk]

My experience,,,BP was high 168/110 WITH meds.The beginning of December Tried all kinds. Doc says Lose 20 pounds,,

Began weight training 3 days a week in January . Cardio intervals 3 days a week. already eating PP but cut meals in half and began eating 6 times a day.. Same amount , just cut into 6 meals instead of three.

In 6 weeks I was dizzy alot and my BP ws 90/60 on meds. So cut meds in half and now I am still working at losing another 20.

PP alone does not help me to lose weight. I did not change the amount I ate just began eating evert 2-3 hours.. and lifting weights and doing the cardio. Weights 45 minutes slow movements alot of resistance and concentration.Upping the wieght each set till I cannot do one more. Cardio the opposite. 5 minute intervals for 20 minutes and the last minute ...all out riding on bike ...Hard. almost gasping for air..sweat pouring off.

I plan on getting off this blasted medicine. I will.

My family heredity works against me and I must work hard to over come it. My dad was in shape and had his first stroke at age 47. I am 52, My dad socially drank and ate bad...I don't . If I find a good shiraz I may partake occasionally, but not often.

[Songwriter]

As I said earlier, I figured daily cinnamon would get old fast. I think the info on cinnamon for lower BP said a teaspoon a day? I don't think that will be possible for me... I'd get sick of it. And today, I put a teaspoon in a cup of coffee. That won't work. Too much, it wouldn't dissolve well.

I'll consider cinnamon capsules.

I can't find the article I read about it lowering blood pressue. All I find now is the research done on rats.

[Ottawa]

Bill,
I thought that I might add this since my BP was doing great up until the past year or so. I have kept active and eat LC with little regard to the normal "avoidances" relating to Blood Pressure.
Several month back I realized it was getting high but could not find the reason and figured it would go away. Other things were preoccupying my time and I had a kidney stone that I thought was causing it. As well I was on a medication related to a urinary stricture. Twice while being attended I hit 200 and my GP stepped in since he and the Endocronologist both thought it related to the "stricture" or the medication associated with it. INternet searching found lots of related problems based on medications and strictures.

Now that the Urologist had to look at the issue he realized it was possibly due to the medication (reformulated Flowmax) and also water retention from the stricture. A change (Proscar) had me back to normal numbers and surgery next month should alleviate the need for any medication.

I bring this up since it crept up slowly until it was right in my face and I realized that something was really wrong. I agree with your analysis of doctors. They are body mechanics and you have to look far and wide to find one you can trust. I often find we are our best physician and should prepare ourselves with information before seeing them. Be prepared to ask questions and expect answers.

[hawk]

You are so right Randy. we have to take responsibility. Doctors "practice " medicine.