David-aviator
Well Known Member
My blood pressure as of about 10 minutes ago was 116/61, pulse 72.
That was not the case on November 3, when I visited my AME for a class III medical renewal. That day it was 160/100. I was in trouble, knew it and my doc was not happy. He suggested I come back in a few days for another check. He's had me on a BP pill for quite some time and it apparently was not working anymore.
I went back several times for a BP check with one of his assistants and while it was somewhat lower, he still was not happy. I decided to make a second appointment so I could talk to him about the "white coat" syndrome, thinking that was part of the problem. There also was a death in the family that week and I thought maybe that was a factor.
But I knew I was pulling at straws. I did a search on the internet for some advice on the subject. There is a ton of it - everything from slow breathing to herbal pills to some very basic advice, like stupid, get on an exercise program. (But I hate formal exercise and always have, it is so, so boring and wastes a lot of time.)
I opted to dust off our tread mill which had not been used for some time. I hate that machine with a passion but much to my surprise and delight, BP came down 10 points over night. All it takes is 20 or 30 minutes a day. I've rigged up a shelf to hold a lap top computer and kill the time watching great old favorite movies - like Piece of Cake for the umpteenth time.
When I showed up for the second AME appointment, the initial reading was 138/80 taken by a technician. I was nervous as heck as BP was up from 110/70 at home. I had to wait some 45 minutes for the Doc and knew I was on thin ice with him so I tried to relax, even took a short nap waiting in this cubicle. When he walked in, I showed him the readings from the previous several days at home, but what really cinched it was when he took a reading and it came in at 124/74. He was happy with a grin. So was I. And relieved. I had the medical certificate one more time.
I guess the point of this story is you're never to old to learn something new. Exercise does cure hypertension. I've been told that by Dr's but never believed it. It was easier to continue to hate the idea and look for some other reason and solution for the problem. Live and learn, or is it learn and live?
The bearings of the treadmill will need some oil, I've about decided to make it a permanent deal every day whenever possible. I do want to continue flying above all else. The way this thing is going, I may be able to get off the BP pill. The dose is reduced already and the pressure continues to fall.
That was not the case on November 3, when I visited my AME for a class III medical renewal. That day it was 160/100. I was in trouble, knew it and my doc was not happy. He suggested I come back in a few days for another check. He's had me on a BP pill for quite some time and it apparently was not working anymore.
I went back several times for a BP check with one of his assistants and while it was somewhat lower, he still was not happy. I decided to make a second appointment so I could talk to him about the "white coat" syndrome, thinking that was part of the problem. There also was a death in the family that week and I thought maybe that was a factor.
But I knew I was pulling at straws. I did a search on the internet for some advice on the subject. There is a ton of it - everything from slow breathing to herbal pills to some very basic advice, like stupid, get on an exercise program. (But I hate formal exercise and always have, it is so, so boring and wastes a lot of time.)
I opted to dust off our tread mill which had not been used for some time. I hate that machine with a passion but much to my surprise and delight, BP came down 10 points over night. All it takes is 20 or 30 minutes a day. I've rigged up a shelf to hold a lap top computer and kill the time watching great old favorite movies - like Piece of Cake for the umpteenth time.
When I showed up for the second AME appointment, the initial reading was 138/80 taken by a technician. I was nervous as heck as BP was up from 110/70 at home. I had to wait some 45 minutes for the Doc and knew I was on thin ice with him so I tried to relax, even took a short nap waiting in this cubicle. When he walked in, I showed him the readings from the previous several days at home, but what really cinched it was when he took a reading and it came in at 124/74. He was happy with a grin. So was I. And relieved. I had the medical certificate one more time.
I guess the point of this story is you're never to old to learn something new. Exercise does cure hypertension. I've been told that by Dr's but never believed it. It was easier to continue to hate the idea and look for some other reason and solution for the problem. Live and learn, or is it learn and live?
The bearings of the treadmill will need some oil, I've about decided to make it a permanent deal every day whenever possible. I do want to continue flying above all else. The way this thing is going, I may be able to get off the BP pill. The dose is reduced already and the pressure continues to fall.