What a tough couple of weeks it has been for me. I am back to having my blood pressure being taken twice a week again. After going to the hospital for what the doctors believe was a heart attack and having a blood pressure reading of 173 over 100, they want to keep a closer watch on it.

Yesterday, I had my blood pressure checked and it was 168 over 112. The doctors have not placed me on any blood pressure medications yet, but they want me to change several things in my lifestyle. I am no longer allowed to have caffeine, salt or alcohol. I guess two out of three ain't bad, but there is no way I am giving up alcohol, but I will stop drinking heavily.

Now, the thought of having a heart attack at the age of 31 is something that scares me. After all, I lost my grandfather, who happened to have the same name as me, to a heart attack. Both my father and my mother are taking blood pressure medications and I have had mine monitored since I was 21, when my blood pressure got up to 175 over 118.

But, I guess this is just one of those things that I will have to deal with.

Some things are hereditary. BUT you can do somethings to change it a little. Listen to the advice your doctor is giving. Also invest in a fish tank and some sort of nature sound machine. Those can help you relax. It is a fact that watching fish swim around lowers the blood pressure.

Good Luck and hang in there.

D.C. Please follow your Doc's orders! I like havin' you around!! :rose: :ghug:

Hang in there, DC, and listen to your doctor. :yesnod:

Definitely make those lifestyle changes so that you can avoid medication!

I have low bp...give me a little of your high bp & we can even out ;)

I'll have to agree with SG! Please take care of yourself! :yesnod: I know that's a scary thing. Know that your friends, here, are thinking positive thoughts for you. We DO like having you around! :thumb: Keep us posted.

DC Take care, you should really listen to the doctors orders for a while , and see if it helps.

Take care

Sorry to hear about that, DC. A friend of mine is going through something very similar to your condition. He also had to give a lot up, or he'd be in serious trouble. The dude went through hell trying to quit drinking, smoking, and changing his eating habits. But he finally did it, and feels better than he ever did. Hang in there man, and listen to your doctors. :)

DC, PLEASE listen to your doctor. If he tells you to stop drinking alchol for a while, do it. I know it's going to be hard, but it's your life that's the most important thing. There are a lot of great non-alcholic drinks out there. :)

Just be careful , bro ! Us young guys gotta watch out for each other. :thumb:

YEAH BUD.... We all here hope all goes well with you. Take things easy and look for those lifestyle changes that will positively will affect your health...

Good Luck yo ya... YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS!!!

:ghug:

Take care of yourself and listen to your dr on this. You need to stay around and grow old. ;) I know all about the blood pressure medication. Mine isn't nearly as bad as yours and I was put on it a few months ago to be safe. It's hard to make those changes, but worth it in the long run sweetie. :ghug:

I had high blood pressure about a year ago and i was able to bring it down to the norm again. Heartattacks are prevelant in my family and I am a beast of a fella so try and get checked out at least once a year. Do what they tell ya, Im 33 and to me thats way to soon to go! I dont drink much, but I am fond of food and salt, major contributors. I plan to take my own advice and cut back as well as loose some weight. hang in there buddy!

Lord Jay


"insert cool Sig. stuff here"

DC, the reason that the doctor recommends that you should lay off the alcohol is that alcohol, when it's in your system, draws moisture from your body and makes your kidneys work very hard, both of which conditions raise the blood pressure. Ask your doctor about what is an acceptable amount of consumption for your condition. I have had to give it up completely but I feel a lot better.

Take care sweetie, I know it seems like a huge sacrifice, but it really isn't in the scheme of things. Also, ask him about aspirin therapy.

DC, hope you decided to do what's best for you. :) My sister has HBP, but she's on medication for it. She's supposed to lay off the salt, lose some weight, and cut out caffeine, and quit smoking, but it ain't gonna happen. I think she thinks that as long as she takes the pills, she's safe. No amount of talking is changing her mind. Don't be that dense, Rich. ;)

Listen to your Dr's DC! :tsk: Take care of yourself. ;)

Yeah listen to your doctor DC. My father died of a heart attack at 40 thats way to young to go.

Gotta take care of your ticker, bud! :yesnod:

I know it's hard to cut back on things you enjoy, but it is usually temporary. Take care, man! :)

Dont be afraid to ask people for help DC. If you need help to stop drinking, smoking or whatever it's nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, be proud of yourself for doing what you need to do. We really do like having you around and hope you'll take better care of yourself. ;)

DC we would really like to keep you around the Xchange...we need you for fantasy sports and your great posts...It may be tough but try to do what the Docs suggest. I hope everything starts getting better but know we really like having you around the Xchange!

Well, if you arent going to listen to the doctor, why bother going in the first place? Make sure you have all your personal affairs in order, so that when you have a stroke, somebody knows how to take care of you.

Dude, if alcohol takes that much precedent over your life that you wouldn't give it up at the risk of having a heart attack, then you're just playing Russian roulette with your health. Alcohol would probably be the first thing I'd toss from my lifestyle...

Rich, listen to what your doctors are saying, AND to what's being posted in this thread. We care about you. You can still have a good time without the alcohol and there are other seasonings for food that aren't so harmful to your health. We're thinking about you. :rose:

Well, if you arent going to listen to the doctor, why bother going in the first place? Make sure you have all your personal affairs in order, so that when you have a stroke, somebody knows how to take care of you.

Harsh but true! :(

I didnt mean to sound harsh, but I see it every night at work. People who go to the doctor or come into the hospital, and then will refuse medications, sneak food they arent supposed to have, wont listen to sound medical advice. As a friend, who has enjoyed your posts for a few years DC, I would hope you would wisen up a little, and if not ELIMINATE all the things the doctor recommended, then at least scale back on them.

That is okay Jasper. While I still have an occasional beer here and there, I am not drinking heavily like I used to when I was a young man. Plus, I have given up all hard liquor as well.

My blood pressure is going down though. This morning, my blood pressure was 162 over 95.