Thanks everyone. I agree and grudgingly acknowledge that it could very well be that I have developed high blood pressure. I am now 50 years old and have never had a regular doctor and have only gone to one when I absolutely had to do so. I will be making an appointment with a doctor for the first week of next month not only to follow up on this blood pressure thing but also to consult with him or her on becoming my primary care physician. I guess at my age I probably need to have one.
In the meantime I am taking some common sense steps to hopefully lower my blood pressure and improve my overall health situation. I admit that I have never been one to take very good care of myself or even really give my health much thought at all. I do know that I do not want to be on blood pressure medication.
1. Stop smoking cigarettes immediately. I will however continue to enjoy my pipes as I don't inhale from them and I find them very relaxing.
2. Cut down on sodium intake. No more adding salt to my food. Avoid as much processed foods as I can. Stop drinking Gatorade as it's high in sodium. Eat lower sodium foods, more fruits and veggies.
3. Increase potassium intake. Orange juice and other fruit juices. Cantaloupe, raisins, raw broccoli, etc.
4. Avoid eating as much fried food. Avoid fast food.
5. More grains. Oatmeal, rice, whole wheat bread, etc.
6. Lose a few pounds.
The fruit juices and such is pretty easy. I am enjoying some apple juice as I type this. The food choices are more difficult on the road. It takes a bit more thought and planning to eat a bit better as truck stop and diner food isn't exactly known for being very healthy. But it can be done.
Yesterday morning I had a big bowl of oatmeal with raisins and brown sugar, whole wheat toast, and a cup of decaf for breakfast. For lunch I went to the Chinese buffet and ate more veggies than anything, although I did have some of the General Tso's chicken and the Mongolian beef. I had a banana as a snack in the afternoon. Dinner was baked chicken, wild rice, and steamed broccoli.
This morning I had "brunch". Scrambled eggs, a small portion of hashbrowns, whole wheat toast, a slice of cantaloupe, and decaf.
Of course I do not plan to become one of those health nuts. I'll likely have pizza for dinner tonight. Don't want to go to extremes ya know.
