[corndog]

Looking for some advice as to lowering my bp and improving my chol. I do take 10mg of Lisinopril for high bp. I am looking to get off Lisinopril safely and want to get some advice to anything that works.

BP Ave. 146/83 with heart rate 100

Chol.

LDL - 138
HDL - 49
CHOL. TOTAL - 211

CHD RISK (Dont know what this is) 4.30 (4.4 or lower is best)

Tri. - 120

So basically I am looking to make myself healthier. My diet is clean, LOTS OF RAW VEGI'S, 3 PCS FRUIT/DAY), workout 4 days a week (dont really do cardio but starting, I know this is hugh).

Supps.
multi
fish oil 2g (thinking of quiting, no niticable change or feeling)
ZMA

[eatingisfun]

You can up the fish oil to 10-12g per day and try celery seed extract. That did wonders for my BP when I was taking some "stuff". It's also good for cholesterol.
http://www.nutrasanus.com/celery-seed.html

I don't have natural high BP but within a few days of taking this while "on" it went away completely. Might be worth a try.

I don't know if it would interact with your Lisinopril so check with your doctor or ask the pharmacist.

You should also try and cut out caffein because that is a vasoconstrictor which makes your BP higher.

[bioman]

3 grams or more of calcium per day..preferably coral calcium or cal citrate.

Add psyllium or ground oats to your protein shakes.

Niacin..learn to love the flush.

[corndog]

I took 2 seporate reading last night and they both were pretty good.

134/78 hr of 88

123/73 hr of 83

Those are good numbers but that is with taking lisinopril and taken with a home bp machine which I take into consideration +/- 5%-10%. I think the machine is more accurate than 10% but I use the high side as a gauge.

For years my bp was 140/95-100 on ave. with lisinopril so not exactly why it is lower now since most everything is the same in my life.

What I want to do is get off lisinopril for a while to see where my levels go. Thats where supplementation comes in.

I take 1000mg Now brand fish oil (not sure the % of oils) at 2g/day. Maybe I'll up it then switch to liquid when pills are gone. How much Niacin and what brand do you recommend?

[bioman]

Brand is not too important with niacin IMO. Just get the straight niacin..not the no flush stuff. I take 500 mg 2x per day. Take with food to blunt the flushing/burn.

[DBinMD]

Corndog,

I don’t know about you, but my cholesterol is very sensitive to diet and exercise. I’ve had it as high as 320 and as low as 160 w/o meds. Your resting HR of 80-100 suggests a need for cardio. I see you’ve started, just keep it up (along with the other sups mentioned.) You’re cholesterol isn’t that high, so I think there is a good chance diet and cardio will do the trick for you.

Those electric bp monitors don’t work well for me, the typically run about 15-20% higher than the bulb one in the doctor’s office.

[corndog]

DBinMD

My chol. hasnt ever been off by much. Like to lower my LDL under 100 and raise HDL to 55+. Not sure really how to do this but I recently added more vegi's, fruit and fiber so we will see.

I guess I never placed much on that cardio plays a role with chol. I did know what HR really meant as far as the numbers and what they mean and where they come from. You mentioned that my levels make you think I need to add more cardio. How do you get that. Its true just woundering.

Did resting BP last night.
134/83 HR 88. Checked it a few hours later.
123/88 HR 78

I have been on lisinopril for a few years and want to get off it. Its not causing any side effects that I know of. I just dont like taking so many meds and if I can get off any of them safely that is my goal.

Any info on the supplement Life Support? Looking for foods/supplements for general good health. I take 2g fish oil but it has been suggested to me to increase it to 5-6g/day. I'm reading/researching on that and its 50/50 as far as people opinions.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time and the info. Love to pick peoples brain and their opinions.

[DBinMD]

Corn dog,

I didn’t mean you need more cardio, just that you’re on the right track by starting. You didn’t mention how much you’re doing. Personally, in terms of cholesterol and HR, I only need about 2 30 min sessions each week. Lifting by itself does jack for this, but maybe the combination works.

I find cardio indispensable. I don’t particularly enjoy it, but from experience I know I have to.

I’ve never done Life Support, but I’m thinking about trying it. I tried hawthorne berry, celery seed, and coq10 before w/o success, but I’m thinking of trying again. My doc recently put me on Norvasc, but I wouldn’t mind getting off it, except it’s cheaper than LS.

Up the omega 3’s. I’m not sure what the optimal amount is. I suspect more than 2, I take ~6. It’s good for your joints, too. I think you can find it in pub med.

BP commonly drops at night, esp after exercise, mine does

db