Changing Your Blood Pressure Can Change your life

"We'll have to postpone your surgery. Your blood pressure is too high." Those were not welcome words. The elective surgery to repair a hernia was scheduled so recovery would be completed and life would be back to normal just before her youngest daughter and family came to visit for Christmas.

Connie Johnson knew that she had a tendency toward high blood pressure. She had taken medication for fifteen years. Her doctors kept moving or changing their practices. Each new doctor commented that her blood pressure was elevated, but would continue with the same medication. It never seemed a big deal, after all it was only "a little high." Now it seemed very important. This new doctor said it was too high at 180/100 and gave her another new medication. But that had the opposite affect and increased her blood pressure was 210/102! Now her surgery would be delayed.

Somehow her blood pressure had crept up over the years. Connie felt fine, and actually in all other aspects, she was healthy. She had rarely been sick in her 79 years. Besides, she was too busy to be sick, having raised 7 children and been a math teacher. Although, her children were out of the "nest," she now kept busy with husband, Wayne, church and volunteer activities.

Her doctor adjusted her medications, putting her on two. Over the next 2 months she went weekly to his office in northern Indiana to have it checked. And it began to come down. At her last visit, it was 155/85. Her doctor tweaked her medication again, trying to fine tune it. He wants to try to reach the goal of 130/80. She also wants to.

Many people have stories similar to Connie's. They do not seriously address high blood pressure until it causes a major problem. Sadly, these major problems are significant. Heart disease, kidney disease, PAD, stroke and diabetes are all possible results from having high blood pressure over time. And unfortunately, this damage cannot be reversed. Serious attention to your blood pressure is vital to helping prevent these conditions.

Connie is now in Florida for the winter. She is faithfully taking her medication, watching her diet, and reducing her salt. She expects that this time, her surgery will be performed as scheduled after she returns to Indiana in May. Her blood pressure is getting better and Connie is glad it is finally being corrected. She knows she will be healthier and live longer if she can keep it normal. Besides with 16 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter, Connie has lots of reasons to live longer.