Having been placed on a SECOND blood pressure lowering drug a month ago, and reporting to the cardio some lightheadedness when I get up, and rather than discussing a dose or drug change being told to "stand up more slowly" has me working hard on 1/n
lowering BP and getting completely off the drugs.
First things first, I checked my median BP off drugs at two different weights, and sure enough, the more I weigh, the higher the home BP. At 186lbs, median BP is 144/88, max was 165/98. 2/n
Peaks (especially in the doctors office were labeled hypertensive crisis). At 162lbs, median BP is 124/79, max was 138/86. The question remains how high BP goes in the office (or at Red Cross) when I weigh less. 3/n
Weight goal is around 153, and I'm at 168± now, so primary objective is to reach goal weight and see if I can wean off the meds.
Second, sodium. I may be salt sensitive. I've added more sodium to my diet after reading a bunch on that and learning of some twitter peeps' 4/n
experiences. Ate light yesterday, took some extra salt, and gained nearly two pounds and my rings got tight. Next step is to reduce sodium load and see what happens.
Third, NO. I've been using a UVB light, and before the seasons turned getting decent sunlight. 5/n
Forth, caffeine. Stopped once before, but probably should again for completeness, along with the weight/salt changes.
Will look into some alternative meds (e.g., L-Citrulline) if the weight/salt/caffeine change doesn't cut it.
Last, stress. Not chronic, but the acute 6/n
response being in the doctor office (or evaluated for a blood donation). I'm retired, get great sleep, have a great diet, plenty of savings, a good life, great spouse, and three dogs.
Couldn't be happier now that the stress of working for an income is over. 7/n
The anxiety of the BP evaluation raising BP is ironic at this point, but I will also look into some relaxation strategies to deal with acute threat situations.
to be continued …
100mg Toprol at bedtime
50mg Losartin first thing in the morning
PS: The more I think about the cardio's response to my mention that I get lightheaded, the more angry I get. I was so surprised by this … I can't work with someone so set in dogma and so unconcerned with the potential to set me up for a fall. I'll be ready for this next visit.
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Looking forward to f/u carotid doppler at the cardio this morning. New doc mentioned a bruit, but not that most of them are "innocent" in non-symptomatic folks. It's like they see my LDL-C and start trashing the place looking for pathology, tossing chairs and tipping tables.
We'll check your CAC, ZERO, damn
HOMA-IR low, damn
LP-IR score great, dammit
hs-CRP low, damn
Fasting insulin low, dammit
HbA1c, low, damn
Weight down 9 lbs
Well, CAC doesn't show soft plaque!
Well there are other inflammation markers besides CRP!
You should do the "Mediterranean" diet (whatever that is) b/c you eat too much SAT FAT (Come on with the study Dave!).
I need the BP down, so I can get off the meds and away from this!
A little disappointed with the results. I have been in active weight loss for ~20 weeks, but I ate normally (LCHF) three days prior to the blood draw. Fasted 12 hours, just black coffee (which hasn't been an issue prior). 1/6
TRIG: 76
HDL: 52
TRIG:HDL 1.46
That is the lowest HDL for the last four years, and this is as I've religiously walked natural surface trails every morning and started weight training just over a month ago. I expected higher HDL at the least. 2/6
I want to lose that final 25 pounds because 1) I want to look better and eliminate a MetS factor (waistline), and 2) HBP.
Maybe if I share publicly, I'll be less likely to bail out and fail to reach my target weight. First some background, then the plan.
A THREAD
Well, I'm quite fat-adapted now which is a big advantage compared to every other time I calorie-restricted using a low fat diet (which started in junior high!) to lose weight.
After 6 years of LC/ZC I have found I can't eat until I'm full, no matter what fat:protein ratio I
use, or in what order I eat the fat and protein. I don't "count calories," but I do have to portion control or I'll eat too much. I'll always want to eat more. I think I'm still hung over from years of being so hungry while dieting on low-fat (and even when I'm not)