Hypertension
Elevated blood pressure. Unrecognized it is strongly associated with strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure and damage to your heart and blood vessels.
It is called "The Silent Killer" because symptoms are not visible to you. A good physical shows whether you have high blood pressure. It is important for you to establish a "baseline" for the physician to make a decision. Why?
Blood pressure is affected by things like fear, anger, anxiety, and what you eat or drink. This is a short list. You need to establish an "average" value for your blood pressure to show your physician. One way I did this was visit my local fire department. I told the personnel attending what I wanted to do. They welcome the additional training and will suggest times to come by for testing. Keep a record and take this in for a second visit or on the first visit to your physician. It works. Remember one other factor that may give you high readings - the "white coat syndrome" and just visiting the physician can spike a reading or two.
The FAA acceptable blood pressure reading of 155 mm Hg (systolic) / 95mm Hg (diastolic) works only if it is controllable to levels much lower. Today Cardiologists would like folks to consistently be in the 115 mm Hg (systolic) / 70 mm Hg (diastolic) range.
Blood pressure medications are fine for control but there are other things you can do to help out.
- Weight loss
- Exercise
- Low Salt Diets
- A diet low in fats and rich in fruits and veggies
- No smoking
Keep losing and you could reach cardiologist correct levels.
I swim everyday. South Carolina has mild winters and a wet suit will allow you to swim year round. Hey, I am 75. You can do it! I don't like pools but a lake or river (slow moving) is fine. Physical exercise lowers blood pressure. ( Get a check up before selecting a routine of physical exercise. Dying is not an acceptable method of lowering your blood pressure.
Natural foods (no unnatural foods allowed) contain only small amounts of sodium chloride (salt). Salt makes food taste better just like fat does. Processed food "soups up" their products to make them taste better.
This is a model very similar to a wrist model I use. Be sure to check your readings with the physicians or fire department readings.
You only need 200 mg (milligrams) of salt per day. We consume large amounts above that value on the average.
Depending on the severity of your hypertension, if you follow the above changes in lifestyle you may not need medication.
The FAA has found most medications for hypertension safe and acceptable. Please, if on medications, consult your aviation medical examiner for the correct procedure for continued medical certification.
Pulse. 70 beats/minute for men; 75 for women. Keep in mind the pulse will lower with physical activity. Medication, stress, coffee, smoking and obesity will affect pulse rate the other way.
Here are ranges for Hypertension Categories:
Systolic / Diastolic Levels
Mild Stage I 140-159 / 90-99
Moderate Stage II 160-179 / 100-109
Severe Stage III 180-209 / 110-119
Very Severe Stage IV 210+ / 120+
