Lost a good friend 2 weeks ago, so I’m getting a heart CT scan

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by ahorsewithnonam

....put on cholesterol and BP meds...now on zero meds....

What? I thought that when you start on those meds, its' forever. (?) Anyway, congrats on getting into shape.

Originally Posted by ahorsewithnonam

Hoping to live to watch my grandkids grow up.

I'm hoping to live at least until mid-May (and well beyond, in fact) when my new boat gets finished being built and delivered.

[Dirk Hofman]

Congratulations Horse, so great to hear that. Inspiring to us all I'm sure! Very happy for you.

Originally Posted by DCCougar

What? I thought that when you start on those meds, its' forever. (?) Anyway, congrats on getting into shape.

No, quite the contrary you BP is in most cases totally in one's own control. I was on BP meds before going plant-based. Dropped 20-25 pounds, dropped all my cholesterol numbers, and came off the meds as my BP was starting to get low. It's one of the greatest things we've figured out, that many chronic diseases which were thought of as permanent are in many cases totally controllable. Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, blood pressure issues, etc. Simply taking off the weight can also do wonders for your BP.

[ahorsewithnonam]

Originally Posted by Dirk Hofman

Congratulations Horse, so great to hear that. Inspiring to us all I'm sure! Very happy for you.



No, quite the contrary you BP is in most cases totally in one's own control. I was on BP meds before going plant-based. Dropped 20-25 pounds, dropped all my cholesterol numbers, and came off the meds as my BP was starting to get low. It's one of the greatest things we've figured out, that many chronic diseases which were thought of as permanent are in many cases totally controllable. Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, blood pressure issues, etc. Simply taking off the weight can also do wonders for your BP.

Exactly. I have a home bp monitor, so I check my bp all the time. Usually 110/70 no meds for me anymore.

[Pura Vida]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

As a nearly 50yo (later this year), who's out of shape and on multiple meds, this is the kind of thing that really scares me. I'm trying to make changes, but it's like swimming upstream, especially with bad knees.

[emtsteve]

Just read through all these posts.

Horse - sorry about losing your friends. Your stories really hit home as I'm 55 and fighting to get back into shape and lose the extra weight (about 100 lbs extra!). I believe the key is proper nutrition and daily exercise, with the nutrition being about 90% of it. Genetics play a huge role as well, especially with the cardiac risks.

I worked on an ambulance for 15 years. Many, many, many cardiac arrests and quite a few were guys who were young (under 60) and fit appearing. Unfortunately the vast majority we couldn't save. On the flip side, I worked many heart attacks too and if caught in time, most are able to get the interventions they need to survive.

Prevention and early detection are key. As someone else said, don't forget your colonoscopies, skin checks, PSA's, and regular check ups with the Doc. It could save your life.

[Blueser100]

Originally Posted by ahorsewithnonam

I’ll definitely let you all know how the scan goes. Been feeling a slight tightness in the chest on and off since his death 2 weeks ago. Hopefully it’s just the stress of it.

Sorry to hear of all you are going through and sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Please keep us posted.