Blood Pressure

[pooks]

A few weeks ago I was at the dentist's office and they asked if I was being treated for my high blood pressure.

What? Me? Never had it in my life.

But suddenly, I did. Not off the charts high, but 137/109.

I went to my family doc and told her that I was scheduled for day surgery (gynecological) the next week, and wondered if the BP would be a problem. She handed me some samples, told me they'd bring it down for the surgery, and then to come back and see her when they were gone.

I am going back to see her today. I don't want to take the meds and am going to talk to her about bringing it down with diet and exercise. (This is why I bought the bike! Finally did something I'd been wanting to do for yonks -- BP went up and I thought, "Yay! I need to buy a bike!")

My gynecologist also rides -- she and her husband are training for the Hotter n Hell Hundred. Yikes. We talked about it briefly while the anesthesiologist (sp?) was trying to find a good vein Wednesday. (Ouch.) At least I have a doc who knows the cycling ropes if I have any questions, though.

So anyway, I'm just curious -- how many of you have had BP issues. Anybody bring them down with diet and exercise? How'd that go?

I'm not looking for a substitute for medical advice. Just wondering about some of the experiences here.