Doctor never seems concerned about my blood pressure, weird?

[jyg]

I'm just over 8 years out from bioprosthetic AVR, with a Dacron replacement of my proximal arch (rather than the root, unusual, I know). My BP has roughly averaged around 138/78 for years. (Over the last decade, I've seen as low as 115/70 and as high as 150/90, under normal physical/emotional circumstances.) Neither my GP nor my cardiologist ever say anything much about it. They've even made offhand comments about it being not too bad, which always surprises me. Even while the AHA has lowered their recommended values for healthy BP, nothing had change in my doctors' offices. And they know this is not a "white coat" phenomenon. I've brought in my BP machine every visit and tell them that their numbers pretty much match my numbers.

In full disclosure, I'm pretty over weight with a BMI that's hovered for quite some time just under 30%. I take 75mg/d of metoprolol for the valve and BP, as well as baby aspirin. When fully relaxed (probably thanks to the beta blocker) my bp is right around 60, often a beat or two slower. I have no issues while exercising nor any arrhythmia issues since a year post surgery. I've wondered if the doctors simply don't bother showing concern about the BP because I haven't been very good about my weight. Yeah, I know, I could just ask. Next visit at each office I will. But, I'm curious in your view if this is common and that their seeming lack of concern should inform my level of concern. Or, maybe I need new doctors> (Oh, yeah, I know, I know, and get my ass in gear with the weight... which is difficult when you're sabotaged at home... but that's a topic for another forum )

 

[pellicle]

In full disclosure, I'm pretty over weight with a BMI that's hovered for quite some time just under 30%

maybe they're just taking that into account and know that its not actually dire so they'll fight that battle another day

 

[dornole]

For what it’s worth, my hubs has a similar weight and BP and they have not recommended he treat it.

 

[dornole]

I doubt they’re withholding pills because you’re overweight, they doesn’t make a lot of sense. In my experience it is more like doc: “here take this statin” me: “let me try to lose weight first” doc: “sure sure” me in 6 months: “ok fine, pill” (cholesterol cut in half within 6 weeks)

 

[carolinemc]

I'm just over 8 years out from bioprosthetic AVR, with a Dacron replacement of my proximal arch (rather than the root, unusual, I know). My BP has roughly averaged around 138/78 for years. (Over the last decade, I've seen as low as 115/70 and as high as 150/90, under normal physical/emotional circumstances.) Neither my GP nor my cardiologist ever say anything much about it. They've even made offhand comments about it being not too bad, which always surprises me. Even while the AHA has lowered their recommended values for healthy BP, nothing had change in my doctors' offices. And they know this is not a "white coat" phenomenon. I've brought in my BP machine every visit and tell them that their numbers pretty much match my numbers.

In full disclosure, I'm pretty over weight with a BMI that's hovered for quite some time just under 30%. I take 75mg/d of metoprolol for the valve and BP, as well as baby aspirin. When fully relaxed (probably thanks to the beta blocker) my bp is right around 60, often a beat or two slower. I have no issues while exercising nor any arrhythmia issues since a year post surgery. I've wondered if the doctors simply don't bother showing concern about the BP because I haven't been very good about my weight. Yeah, I know, I could just ask. Next visit at each office I will. But, I'm curious in your view if this is common and that their seeming lack of concern should inform my level of concern. Or, maybe I need new doctors> (Oh, yeah, I know, I know, and get my ass in gear with the weight... which is difficult when you're sabotaged at home... but that's a topic for another forum )

It is not unusual for Cardiac patients to have HI BP. I have to take BP water pills for mine. And you are overweight, that is another problem, your diet has probably a ton of sodium everyday. And if you are under a ton of stress, you have problems relaxing at the Drs. office and the nurse take the BP as soon as you get to the exam room, which walking will also raise the BP. What you need to do is work on the diet and make changes to lower your Sodium lower, and walk if you can to get some exercise.

 

[carolinemc]

I'm just over 8 years out from bioprosthetic AVR, with a Dacron replacement of my proximal arch (rather than the root, unusual, I know). My BP has roughly averaged around 138/78 for years. (Over the last decade, I've seen as low as 115/70 and as high as 150/90, under normal physical/emotional circumstances.) Neither my GP nor my cardiologist ever say anything much about it. They've even made offhand comments about it being not too bad, which always surprises me. Even while the AHA has lowered their recommended values for healthy BP, nothing had change in my doctors' offices. And they know this is not a "white coat" phenomenon. I've brought in my BP machine every visit and tell them that their numbers pretty much match my numbers.

In full disclosure, I'm pretty over weight with a BMI that's hovered for quite some time just under 30%. I take 75mg/d of metoprolol for the valve and BP, as well as baby aspirin. When fully relaxed (probably thanks to the beta blocker) my bp is right around 60, often a beat or two slower. I have no issues while exercising nor any arrhythmia issues since a year post surgery. I've wondered if the doctors simply don't bother showing concern about the BP because I haven't been very good about my weight. Yeah, I know, I could just ask. Next visit at each office I will. But, I'm curious in your view if this is common and that their seeming lack of concern should inform my level of concern. Or, maybe I need new doctors> (Oh, yeah, I know, I know, and get my ass in gear with the weight... which is difficult when you're sabotaged at home... but that's a topic for another forum )

You need to lose the weight, need to go on a low sodium diet and exercise to bring your weight done. It does affect your BP, for 150/90 is not good for the heart. So, you need to see a dietician and work on the exercise, cardio exercise. You can be surprised who much better you feel in shedding the excess weight off the heart and lungs. Good luck with getting with a dietician and keep with a cardio exercise regimen. And lower your salt intake. And I will pray you do not have to go on water BP pills.

 

[thomas999]

Your weight is something that you don't want to talk about, but clearly seems to be what you should address. Are you seeking a different solution moreso than the obvious ? Your BP is borderline high.

 

[Aqua_Grim7]

Not to sound rude, but being overweight directly correlates with high BP. Given you’re on BP meds, I imagine your BP would be considerably lower if you lost a little excess weight.

 

[jyg]

I doubt they’re withholding pills because you’re overweight, they doesn’t make a lot of sense. In my experience it is more like doc: “here take this statin” me: “let me try to lose weight first” doc: “sure sure” me in 6 months: “ok fine, pill” (cholesterol cut in half within 6 weeks)

Hah, yeah I'm the same. There was a time where I could fend off meds with a doctor's good advice and my own discipline. I still get good advice, but the discipline has been more difficult to come by. I wish I could find better support at home... oh, what a tangled web.

 

[oo0My_Valve0oo]

My unsolicited tips for weight loss: I never dieted as I was skinny most of my life. Later I gathered some excess around waste. I had just had a physical and was to follow up in 6 months. I decided to lose the excess and surprise the doc ir see if he even notices the numbers. It would take more attention to see it, attention I wasn't expecting the doc to have on my appearance. I wasn't fat. Even with 45lbs excess I was still slender. I lost 35 in a little over a month or maybe two and felt at least 10lbs more would eliminate all excess around waste. It was easy fir me. Not necessarily for everybody but me it was easy. I just cut my portions down to 25%, limited cal to X per day, made every cal valuable not wasting them on anything empty or worse and eliminated butter, salt, used olive oil if any. I still used half and half and real maple syrup in my oatmeal but carefully measured the amount. Once down 35lbs I started having small Haagen Daz milkshakes a few times a week. I monitored everything using FitBit's website but without a fitbit. I track mileage of long walks taken daily. I also made sure I git adequate rest. Your body goes into survival mode unrested. You need rest to lose weight. I tend to get by on the least rest so had opportunity to see clearly the effect if when I was rested. Ironic the least active thing has a significant impact on weight loss. Not suggesting this fits you but many people overweight have a major problem with the mind as well as cravings for food. But that it something they frequently hide, willpower sort if reflects on character in our society but many times it indicates something is nit being addressed either physically, emotionally, spiritually or some combination. But the assumption is one that causes guilt and shame.

 

[carolinemc]

My unsolicited tips for weight loss: I never dieted as I was skinny most of my life. Later I gathered some excess around waste. I had just had a physical and was to follow up in 6 months. I decided to lose the excess and surprise the doc ir see if he even notices the numbers. It would take more attention to see it, attention I wasn't expecting the doc to have on my appearance. I wasn't fat. Even with 45lbs excess I was still slender. I lost 35 in a little over a month or maybe two and felt at least 10lbs more would eliminate all excess around waste. It was easy fir me. Not necessarily for everybody but me it was easy. I just cut my portions down to 25%, limited cal to X per day, made every cal valuable not wasting them on anything empty or worse and eliminated butter, salt, used olive oil if any. I still used half and half and real maple syrup in my oatmeal but carefully measured the amount. Once down 35lbs I started having small Haagen Daz milkshakes a few times a week. I monitored everything using FitBit's website but without a fitbit. I track mileage of long walks taken daily. I also made sure I git adequate rest. Your body goes into survival mode unrested. You need rest to lose weight. I tend to get by on the least rest so had opportunity to see clearly the effect if when I was rested. Ironic the least active thing has a significant impact on weight loss. Not suggesting this fits you but many people overweight have a major problem with the mind as well as cravings for food. But that it something they frequently hide, willpower sort if reflects on character in our society but many times it indicates something is nit being addressed either physically, emotionally, spiritually or some combination. But the assumption is one that causes guilt and shame.

Exercise is not just to lose weight and eating a well balanced diet, it is to help the heart and lungs and to get the blood flowing and circulating. Help the muscles and help keep the hunger pangs at bay. I have no guilt or shame from anyone that is helping me figure out the things to do for diet and exercise. No shame at all. Just diet your way and exercise.

 

[oo0My_Valve0oo]

Reminds me of more irony. Exercise when you are run down at end of a day can revitalize you. You would think you are too tired and ready to shut down and rest but it is just bring tired from the things you did that day not everything. Of course it depends on what you did that day. But even after a physically active day some focused exercise can still revitalize you. I would not expect this if you are an athlete or stunt person but even a laborer could be revitalized. At points in my life I have been many things including the go-for tool delivery and const site clean up guy and felt revitalized by focused exercuse at end of a day.

 

[dornole]

My weight problems are 100% emotional. I’m constantly working on both mental and physical health. Usually both are good or both are poor. I work the problem from both ends, try to have *shorter* relapses and try try again.

 

[Mister_James]

My unsolicited tips for weight loss: I never dieted as I was skinny most of my life. Later I gathered some excess around waste. I had just had a physical and was to follow up in 6 months. I decided to lose the excess and surprise the doc ir see if he even notices the numbers. It would take more attention to see it, attention I wasn't expecting the doc to have on my appearance. I wasn't fat. Even with 45lbs excess I was still slender. I lost 35 in a little over a month or maybe two and felt at least 10lbs more would eliminate all excess around waste. It was easy fir me. Not necessarily for everybody but me it was easy. I just cut my portions down to 25%, limited cal to X per day, made every cal valuable not wasting them on anything empty or worse and eliminated butter, salt, used olive oil if any. I still used half and half and real maple syrup in my oatmeal but carefully measured the amount. Once down 35lbs I started having small Haagen Daz milkshakes a few times a week. I monitored everything using FitBit's website but without a fitbit. I track mileage of long walks taken daily. I also made sure I git adequate rest. Your body goes into survival mode unrested. You need rest to lose weight. I tend to get by on the least rest so had opportunity to see clearly the effect if when I was rested. Ironic the least active thing has a significant impact on weight loss. Not suggesting this fits you but many people overweight have a major problem with the mind as well as cravings for food. But that it something they frequently hide, willpower sort if reflects on character in our society but many times it indicates something is nit being addressed either physically, emotionally, spiritually or some combination. But the assumption is one that causes guilt and shame.

Dude are you for real? 35lbs in a month (or two). Lets get the math right here.
1lb is about 3,500 calories
35lbs x 3,500 = 122,500 calories/60 days that's 2,000 calories/day.

That is burning up 2,000 calories every single day for 60 days. An average person eats 2,000 calories/day.

If you are 235lbs and you drop to 200lbs that is as clear as day. If you are 200lbs and you drop to 165lbs...that is a night and day.

Sorry I don't know you but I can count.

 

[Lucker]

@jyg
Just out of interest, had your BP changed after your AVR?
And for reference, my BP is same as yours now, I am not overweight and I have mild AR.