To those on the fence: During the Last Year and a Half my resting blood pressure went from 145/90 to

[UndertheOcean]

115/65 or 119/72 (varies depending on time of day)


How did this happen : Vegetarianism.

So , If you suffer from high blood pressure , here is one thing you can try. But you have to stick to it , you won't see substantial results within a few months.

[Warpy]

1. Anything producing weight loss will also work

as will eliminating salt, especially the hidden salt in processed foods.

I've been able to cut the lisinopril in half after a small weight loss.

[hedgehog]

2. I thought this was going to compare living with President Obama rather than President Bush!

[UndertheOcean]

3. ha !

[murielm99]

4. That helps, too.

I swear that I am less tense since the Democrats took power.

[mzteris]

5. my son's genetic condition for high cholesterol

responded to becoming vegetarian.


It went from 265 to about 225 when we were "semi-vegetarians" for about a year - no red meat or pork.

It initially went from 225 down to 190 after ONE year of being full vegetarian.

He's now nearly 17. Twelve beyears after the first diagnosis, and after six years being full vegetarian - his is now 165.

[UndertheOcean]

6. Good for both of you !

[LynneSin]

7. I am a meat loving red-meat Omnivore and my blood pressure is excellent

Perhaps you've just cut back on the amount of salt you use in your diet - which really is the leading contributor to HBP.

BTW I have red meat about 2-3 times a month tops. I mainly stick with chicken or seafood. I rarely add additional salt to my diet.

So um, how to I fit into your scientific guestimates?

[flvegan]

8. Did you get a cholesterol level check as well?

If so, did you see a big drop there as well? Do you also feel better, in general?

Either way, congrats on the success lowering your blood pressure.

[UndertheOcean]

12. Not yet , and ya , I better tremendously better .

[Hawkowl]

9. Pets help tremendously

I've been a vegetarian for 15 years and it has helped my blood pressure. However, I've always had a bit of the "white coat" syndrome, meaning when in a doctor's office, my blood pressure automatically rises. So typically at home it was about 125/88 and at the doctor's office 140/90. After I got my kitties, at home 110/78 and 115/80 at the doctor's office. I credit it all to my furry friends. (I'm 44, 215 pounds and 5'10")

[RussBLib]

10. weed can do that too

reducing blood pressure is just one of the benefits of ingesting gods flowers. Now, if you were already smoking weed beFORE the reduction in your BP, never mind.

[UndertheOcean]

11. I was , so no , weed alone does not cut it ! and Thank god weed is vegetarian !!!

[HopeHoops]

13. Dark chocolate helps too. I'm not talking Hershey's, but rather the 70% cocoa bars.

Just a square or two a day can help. I've been vegetarian for 20 years but I also was up in the 145/90 range (or higher). I'm pretty sure it was mostly from stress, perhaps with a bit of too many grilled cheese sandwiches thrown in. The latter was easily the culprit in the case of the expanding belly. I take Metoprolol TARTR and Clonidine HCL and I'm easily in the 110/60 range now.

My wife and three daughters are also vegetarian and are in excellent health (and shape). The girls have been vegetarian since birth - (15, 17, 19 now). We eat eggs and dairy, but not that much of either. THAT's what you need to watch out for. You can get plenty of protein and calcium from other sources, so that's not a major reason for using either. We just like eggs or cook with them, the kids drink a lot of milk, and hell, cheese just tastes good. As Wallace said, "I do like a spot of gorgonzola." That's my personal favorite.

[Dorian Gray]

14. A change in diet really does make a difference

I didn't go vegetarian myself, though I do eat a lot more vegetarian meals these days. Three years ago I was 140/100, and through diet and exercise, I am now 100/70. I eat mostly natural/non-processed foods, and I exercise 5 times a week. It makes a huge difference. MOST people (absent a serious medical condition) can make a significant change through their diet and exercise. Of course there are exceptions, and I did mine all through the help of a doctor and a registered dietician.