[Aunt Donna]

Just giving everyone an update. My husband is doing better, and after a visit yesterday to the doctor, I was given more meds. My blood pressure is one of the main issues plus I have back problems. He said all this was affecting me mentally, also. I am now on five different meds for my blood pressure. Thanks for all the prayers. I go back in a month. I am doing a lot of praying to get me out of this.

[(JD)]

What a precious picture of kitty!
Good to hear you're progressing.... sorry it's to tough at times.

[Naturefreak]

(((Faylowell)))

[Aunt Donna]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to make it. It is just I had another doctor who refused to admit I needed treatment. She said it was all in my head. My current doctor said it is very dangerous to leave high blood pressure untreated. It is getting lower but not as low as it needs to be. He treats a person as a whole. I am so thankful I have him. He wants to see me once a month until everything levels out, then it goes to every other month. He doesn't want anything to happen to me. Thanks everyone.

[Naturefreak]

Originally Posted by faylowell

Thanks for the replies. I am going to make it. It is just I had another doctor who refused to admit I needed treatment. She said it was all in my head. My current doctor said it is very dangerous to leave high blood pressure untreated. It is getting lower but not as low as it needs to be. He treats a person as a whole. I am so thankful I have him. He wants to see me once a month until everything levels out, then it goes to every other month. He doesn't want anything to happen to me. Thanks everyone.

So happy you are going to make it Faylowell. High blood pressure is dangerous if left untreated but only if it's for extended periods . I had to be put on medication as it was way too high . Good luck with your doctor in lowering it to safe levels.

[SWA 1971]

Keep hanging in there! By the way, the picture of the cat & kitten is so cute!

[Aunt Donna]

I definitely going to need help with this. My friend told me that the first thing I need to do is give up ketchup. I have been good about staying away from pork and adding salt to things, but I love ketchup. I didn't realize it had so much sodium. LOL.

[(JD)]

I think the verdict about high salt is still out. (http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/hyp...a/saltwars.htm) Only if you are salt sensitive maybe?

BUT you can lower blood pressure naturally a few ways. I'm not a medical doctor, but here's a good artcile at Prevention: http://www.prevention.com/lowerblood...y/list/1.shtml

Breathing deeply is good, as it decreases renin which increases blood pressure (due to stress?) Make sure you keep watch on your blood pressure as you add these in, don't want it to go too low!
(Prayer, meditation, deep breathing...)

Here's from the Prevention Magazine:


Pick potassium-rich produce

Loading up on potassium-rich fruits and vegetables is an important part of any blood pressure–lowering program, says Linda Van Horn, PhD, RD, professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medical. Aim for potassium levels of 2,000 to 4,000 mg a day, she says. Top sources of potassium-rich produce include sweet potatoes, tomatoes, orange juice, potatoes, bananas, kidney beans, peas, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and dried fruits such as prunes and raisins.

[Aunt Donna]

Thanks for the information. It helped me understand why the doctor put me on potassium twice a day. I thought it was because of the fluid pill, but my husband takes the same pill but not the potassium. I was wondering why. I try to go by the church everyday to pray. It is just more peaceful there and I can pray undisturbed plus I live just about a quarter of a mile from the church. I have the bible on cd I love to listen to. I got a small bible (old and new testaments) for Christmas that fits into my purse that I can read when stuck in traffic or anywhere that I am waiting. It really helps my mind. I appreciate everyone here.