around it 1 in 3 adults Some people have high blood pressure, or hypertension, which causes more than half of all strokes and heart attacks in the UK. High blood pressure is also a risk factor for heart disease, kidney disease, and vascular dementia. It is known as the “silent killer” because there are almost no symptoms. The only way to know if you have it is to test it.
Normal blood pressure is between 90/60 mmHg and 115 to 120/80 mmHg, high blood pressure and normal blood pressure are between 120/80 mmHg and 140/90 mmHg, and high blood pressure (over 140/90 mmHg). Depending on your age, weight, and lifestyle, blood pressure that ranges from high to normal is a warning sign that your health could be at serious risk if no changes are made.
The good news is that lifestyle changes can affect your blood pressure and may even avoid the need for medication.
Patrick Reed (54 years old) FX trader and “hardcore meat eater.” Despite regularly going to the gym, his shortness of breath and weight were becoming a concern. He set himself the challenge of bringing his blood pressure back into a healthy range by changing his lifestyle, which had unexpected positive side effects.
In the course of my work, I take many clients out for rich meals. Meat, dairy, lots of sweets, and then a cheese board after dessert. Over the past 15 years, I've become accustomed to long, hearty lunches because I'm from the city and my customers expect it too. I loved Hawksmoor steak and considered myself a hardcore meat eater.
I've always been active at the gym and didn't eat a lot of junk food, so I thought everything was balanced.
But despite going to the gym regularly, I found myself more out of breath than ever before. I got worried so I went to the doctor to see if something was going on.
It turned out that my blood pressure was over 80 and 120, which is in the danger zone for high blood pressure. My doctor said this is cause for concern due to my age and being overweight.
He explained that in healthy adults, blood pressure ranges from 90 to 115 on the systolic reading (the higher number). The younger you are, the easier it is to keep your blood pressure within a healthy range. But if you're older and you've crept into a more dangerous zone like 120 over 80, or really worrying proportions of 130 or 140, it's much harder to get back into the safe zone.
I realized that I needed to change my diet and fast. Otherwise, you may end up taking medicine. I met a few nutritionists and ended up booking a “power hour” with a vegan guru I saw on TV. I thought he made a lot of sense. She encouraged me to make small changes at first. It's not about going full-fledged vegan, it's about adding more fruits and vegetables and cutting back on dairy and oil. I tried it and was surprised. I felt so much lighter and almost clean that I decided to book into the 3 month program.
I started reading food labels for the first time, started making my own food at home (I bought a blender and made my own hummus), and removed a lot of “additives”, like the honey on my oats. I've mostly eliminated oil, which has helped me lose a lot of weight, and I'm eating lots of fresh produce, tofu, legumes, herbs, nuts and seeds. I eat meat and eggs very occasionally, but veganism is creeping up on me.
I'm now eating a vegan diet 5 days a week and have lost about 4kg in 5 weeks. I feel less bloated and my concentration has improved. And importantly, my blood pressure also dropped significantly.
Two months later I went to the doctor again. I also wanted to check my blood pressure because I was having a little problem with my knees at the gym. Now he's 108-79. This surprised me. When I went to see my GP, he too couldn't believe the difference. He told me I should just keep doing what I was doing. So that's what I'm going to do.
My friends and colleagues ask me what I have done because I have changed physically. When I explain it, they want to try it themselves, or at least try what I'm having for lunch. Interestingly, it's great for work because it's a great conversation starter.
I don't know if I will continue this forever, but for the time being, my desire for meat has completely disappeared. We also know that we are still in the early stages and need to make further progress on this lifestyle change journey. I'm going to keep doing it because it means I feel really, really good.
