Wednesday 20 January 2021
Thrown into a bit of a pickle by finally getting myself a blood pressure machine for home testing. So after having a few emotional and unpredictable days looking after my dad I came home and tried the machine.
Monday afternoon, I was 163 over 104 with a heart rate of 69 Halleliwia ! ! ! stroke or heart attack anyone? Normal is 134 0ver 84. So after calming down bit I did some reading and realised that actually I am already doing things to prevent high blood pressure. I'm not over weight, I rarely drink alcohol, I eat loads of fruit and veg, don't put extra salt on my food, I exercise regularily and have cut down my caffeine to 1 cup of coffee a day. So the only thing I am not doing is the meditative breathing to slow down my heart rate and enter a calm state. My friend also said yes indeed you can lower your blood pressure by doing breathing exercises.
So today I did my yoga session and then sat with a timer and did breathing for 5 mins. Well the first reading came out 162 over 108 with a heart rate of 80 EVEN WORSE ! ! ! But then I set the timer for 3 mins breathing and did it again and this time it was better 147 over 96 with a heart rate of 70. So not quite down far enough but showing a good enough drop for me to feel a bit better. I think the first time I did it today I had the cuff too tight.
So the poison I am imbibing is giving me high blood pressure and therefore my kidneys are complaining lovely!
My plan is to get my blood pressure way down by the time Monday comes around and I go in for blood tests in preparation for my next maintenance drug session.
Today I have had a headache all day. Tonight I have been sporting a hot water bottle on my head or wrapped around my neck. There is a Buster Keaton film where he has a hot water bottle tied to his head with a scarf. Very striking!
