readings above 180/100 consistently. My docs wanted me to go on two meds but I only consented to one medication as I wanted to fight against taking multiple meds as I’m just in my forties and I didn’t want to go down this path already.

I come from a long line of blood pressure/ heart issues in my family and I knew that it could for sure happen to me. Basically because of hereditary issues when it comes to this, in my family, we’re all walking time bombs.

I’ve been on a journey the past 18 months to figure this out. My doc told me because of my family history more than likely I’ll always be on blood pressure meds no matter what I do but if I was super conscientious about my health I could possibly limit my medication to just one medication.

So I’ve been taking my blood pressure readings pretty consistently since then and a few things have shown up. As soon as I add some unwanted weight, my blood pressure shoots up. If I don’t get enough sleep it’s higher too and if I eat a bunch of sugar especially things like ice cream my blood pressure is higher the next morning. Don’t know how scientific these conclusions are but for me they’ve been consistent.

Conversely, as my weight lowers and when I do consistent cardio exercise my blood pressure drops and I mean it drops significantly. I’ve lost 20 pounds since March and I’ve been running 4+ times a week and this morning my blood pressure was 105/65. That’s the lowest reading I’ve ever taken.

I’ve been telling my wife maybe if I can have consistent normal readings like this I can try and get off this last medication. My doc tells me that most people can’t get off the medication because they don’t have the willpower to be healthy consistently, well I’m trying.

Just sending this out to encourage anyone that has blood pressure issues like me that you can get better by being more healthy and there’s a direct correlation to having a healthy weight and consistent cardio exercise. If I can do it anyone can do it.

Here’s to hoping I can write sometime later this year that I’m completely off my blood pressure meds…