Blood Pressure & Pulse

By Christine Bruun

Almost five months ago I went to the doctor and had all sorts of tests run to see where I was at physically. I initiate these visits, periodically, for my own information. I had the standard blood work up, a colonoscopy, and a mammogram, and a pap smear. My results were normal except for a slightly high sugar and my blood pressure was being measured as high each time I went to the doctors. Other than those two things, everything else was normal.

I listened to my doctor berate me about my weight and my blood pressure. She threatened that she was giving me 6 months to get some weight off, reduce my blood pressure, and reduce my sugar on my own or she was putting me on medication. She threatened me that if my sugar did not come down she would be putting me on insulin pills to reduce it. The sugar results were at 115. I have no idea what that means at this point. I am now doing research on the net to see just what that figure actually means.

Anyway, I went home a bit upset and angry that my doctor would threaten me with meds if I did not comply to her wishes. I realize she was thinking of my best interest, but threats have never gone over well with me. I decided that I was not going back. Now, this doctor was touted as being one of the best and someone who was easy to talk to in the sense that she was empathetic and caring. While this was probably so, I don't think we hit it off well even from the beginning.

I went in and explained that I wanted a team effort. That I wanted to participate in my wellness and work together for my common good. I don't think she understood me, especially when I gave her the list of herbs and supplements I was taking. She said, "you are only taking herbs." She does not believe in them. There was our first parting of the ways. She did not understand that I do not take drugs. I try and take care of things naturally. She immediately prescribed an anti-depressant that can cause seizures. I did not take it. I would never have taken it and there again, the team fumbled the ball.

It has been almost five months since. I have discovered SAM-e for my depression, (It also helps my arthritis, but I will address that issue separately. Right now I just want to deal with my blood pressure). I have not lost any weight or done anything differently, until about 10 days ago when I became a vegetarian--no dairy, no meat.

In that 10 days I have also purchased an automatic wrist blood pressure cuff that I can carry in the car, in my purse, or on a hiking trail. I have been taking my blood pressure readings at different times of the day. I took it before a 30 minute hike, during the hike, and after the hike. I take it before I even crawl out of bed in the morning. I take it at various times of the day. What did I discover? I actually have low blood pressure! Yes, low blood pressure. I think I have what is commonly called, "white coat hypertension," (when my blood pressure shoots up at the doctor's office due to stress from being at the doctor's office).

After two days of taking my blood pressure at various times of the day, I can honestly see that it is low rather than high. At night it falls to around 103/67. The highest it has been during the day was 135/89 in the middle of our forest walk.

My average blood pressure reading is 116/77. I would call that very normal to the low side. Definitely not high. No way close to high. So, either the vegetarian diet is working or I never really had high blood pressure. I think the weight fools the medical professionals. They are so used to people who are overweight having high blood pressure they expect it. And I, knowing this fact, give them what they expect. An emotional response.

I have found out that taking a hot bath drops my blood pressure even more--drops it like a rock. I guess that is why they warn against staying in hot tubs too long. Also, my blood pressure drops while sitting on the couch watching TV. Haven't taken it at the computer yet but will do that tomorrow.

I have learned that my blood pressure will fluctuate from moment to moment. The reading that I get at the doctor's office may not match the ones I take the rest of the day.

I urge everyone to purchase an automatic blood pressure monitor, (the wrist one is the easiest to use and is portable), Ours cost us about $78.00 in a store like Wal-Mart or K-Mart. You can also order them over the internet.

I also urge each person to take their blood pressure at various times of day over a long period so you can get to know how your body works. Keep a journal and when you go to the doctor, take it before you go and after you go. If you purchase the wrist type you can carry it in your purse and take it while you are sitting in the waiting room or waiting in the examining room.

Take your record with you and give a copy to your doctor. Record what time of day, your pulse, your blood pressure, what you were doing at the time, whether you had just eaten, and what you ate. Anything that might have a baring on the result. Then make sure your doctor has it. This is very important. Know what it is so you will be informed when you visit your doctor.

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