Blood Pressure

[VampyreGTX]

Thanks for all the advice fellas. Sunday I did a BP screening (not related to my medical) and was at 140/90. Over the last two years my BP has gone up but it wasn't too dramatic and I figured it was just the "white coat syndrome". Now I'm not making more excuses. I'm aggressively monitoring how much I eat, trying to eat healthier, and ensuring I exercise every day. Hopefully that will help. A friend of mine swears by green tea, I have a cup in the morning. I don't know how easy it's going to be once I get to the crash pad and on the road to keep up the healthy eating and exercise. Any advice on eating healthy/inexpensively at the crash pad and on the road?

Watch out with the greentea. That has caffeine and the flavonoids in it actually act as a thremogenic and can raise pressure slightly. My wife actually can't drink green tea as she gets jittery and her BP increases as if she's on stimulants if she has it. (For me, I get nothing like that from the tea.)

 

[Propsfullfwd]

http://www.taoofherbs.com/

search blood pressure tes on this site... it worked for me and a few friends

Props

 

[TR4A]

I just had my Class 1 on Tuesday. My BP was 114/88 using the standard BP thingy on wheels with a stethoscope. Just went to the dentist today, they are now checking BP, it was 121/80 using an automated device. When my AME checks my BP it is always all over the place. When it is checked with electronic device it is close to 120/80 which it has been for the last 30 years.

FAA Blood Pressure Standards

The FAA’s upper limit for blood pressure previously varied depending on a pilot’s age and class of certificate. The standards now allow certification for pressures up to 155/95 without an evaluation. Pilots with blood pressures above this level may still be certified after a cardiovascular evaluation (CVE). The standards set by the FAA should not be construed as healthy or "safe" levels. They are maximum levels. Blood pressure near these limits should be evaluated and treated as per the American Heart Association guidelines.

 

[coolyokeluke]

http://www.taoofherbs.com/

search blood pressure tes on this site... it worked for me and a few friends

Props

Thanks, I just placed an order for the Chinese BP tea. We'll see how it works!

 

[satpak77]

pushups, situps, jumping jacks at the crash pad. No its not the latest "Ballys Gym", but it has been tested by millions of soldiers, so it will probably work for you.

Also, if possible, walk for 1 hour at above-normal pace while at crash pad or try to find a park with a running trail nearby, or a swimming pool.

exercise or not, remember, no salt, high potassium, lots of water (water is now the only liquid allowed in your body), fiber, oatmeal, no more red meats, more fish.

re-test in 60 days and let us know

you don't need red-flags in your FAA Medical file, do the above and it will help, trust me

 

[Ill Mitch]

I'm lucky. I eat like crap (Pizza, bacon cheeseburgers), don't excercise, smoke and drink coffee. Not too much alcohol anymore. My BP is 115/60 (no kidding). It has gotten lower with each medical starting from 15 years ago. I don't get it. My doctors go "what are you complaining about?".

 

[satpak77]

I'm lucky. I eat like crap (Pizza, bacon cheeseburgers), don't excercise, smoke and drink coffee. Not too much alcohol anymore. My BP is 115/60 (no kidding). It has gotten lower with each medical starting from 15 years ago. I don't get it. My doctors go "what are you complaining about?".

Just FYI that BP is one of many devices used to check your health, others being triglycerides, chloesterol, etc, etc.

Running fats and Cholesterol thru your pipes (veins, arteries, etc) is not that good for you, no matter what the pipe pressure is.

low low BP can cause fainting spells and other issues.

I know about this crap because I had "high-normal" BP at my last medical and thus had to come up with ways to get it back to normal.

Dude, nobody loves cheeseburgers and steaks more than me, maybe we can trade shoes

see ya

 

[macfly]

My old man had a heart attack at close to 60. How does this effect you guys? He had passed his class 1 for 32 years. Regular jogger.

He deserved his hose down damnit, but alas - I quess too many divorces will kill your hide.

Dont forget that stress factor is a MAJOR component of heart disease.

I miss that guy!!! Of course the fact the gooks shot em down prolly didnt help.

Think of your heart like engine, it can run hard, but it cant run hard and long.

Now pass me my turkey and please hand me my cigs.

 

[Ill Mitch]

Just FYI that BP is one of many devices used to check your health, others being triglycerides, chloesterol, etc, etc.

Running fats and Cholesterol thru your pipes (veins, arteries, etc) is not that good for you, no matter what the pipe pressure is.

low low BP can cause fainting spells and other issues.

I know about this crap because I had "high-normal" BP at my last medical and thus had to come up with ways to get it back to normal.

Dude, nobody loves cheeseburgers and steaks more than me, maybe we can trade shoes

see ya

I hear ya bro, my wife makes me eat the good stuff when I am home. But, I did a chloesteral screen last year and it is 180 for total and about 115 for LD whatver the last letter is.

I think also some of it is genetic. My father is the same way.

 

[coolyokeluke]

I hear ya bro, my wife makes me eat the good stuff when I am home. But, I did a chloesteral screen last year and it is 180 for total and about 115 for LD whatver the last letter is.

I think also some of it is genetic. My father is the same way.

It's certainly genetic. While I could certainly stand to lose a few pounds (at age 31 I'm about 15 pounds over my high school weight) I'm in good shape; I'm a runner. Well maybe more of a plodder, but still... But my mother and father had high blood pressure.

LDL is "low density lipoprotien", and conversly HDL is a "high density lipoprotien". It think HDL is the good type and LDL is the bad. You get HDL's from eating healthy things with omega 3 like salmon and excercising. Feel free to correct me, this is what I remember from high school health class.

 

[TDTURBO]

Two words, excersise and Coq10, well three, relax mentally when the Dr or nurse is taking it. Pretend you are floating in a river in Hawaii.

 

[learflyer]

i've found that if my arm is extended and elbows locked out, my bp is higher. If my arm is relaxed and resting on my lap or a table, it is lower. Don't let these nurses be in a hurry to take your bp! Also, I think bp is higher at the docs office because of the usual nervousness, but also you just get done walking down a long hall (excercise), and then you hop up on top of the table (excercise) and then she sticks that thing on your arm as your heart is beating higher than normal after all that activity! it's a GD conspiracy!

 

[MTpilot]

Anybody got a reccomended dosage on the celery seed extract and CoQ10?

 

[zugzug]

Bp actually lowers with exercise

3600mg of fish oil twice a day.

 

[satpak77]

Anybody got a reccomended dosage on the celery seed extract and CoQ10?

dude forget popping supplements and crap. Might improve your BP but that won't matter when your liver shuts down

instead EAT the recommended things like Mother Nature designed it to be

LOTS of bananas, melons, cold water fish (salmon,tuna, not catfish), STOP the red meat, eat more Raisin Bran, more oatmeal, drink sh1t loads of water, and EXERCISE. Jog on the treadmill every other day. Start at 10 minutes (1 mile at pretty relaxed pace) and in one month go to 15, then bring it up from there.

Also NO COFFEE or sodas, cokes, etc.

RE-TAKE your BP in 60 days from begining above regimen. I GUARANTEE you will have improvements. If not, then go to the doctor. When you do get tested, wear jogging clothes, sweat pants, etc, loose clothing. It will help.

I also recommend one adult aspirin every other day just for a "prevent" measure. Thins the blood and reportedly will help reduce chances of stroke or heart attack. You could do it every day but the liver don't like lots of asprin and if you have no warning signals of pending doom, every other day is probably just fine