Inkanta
Group: Admins
Posts: 1453
Joined: Feb. 2000 |
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Posted: Feb. 16 2007, 13:06 |
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Alan--here, if the diastolic remains in the mid-80's and the systolic above 140, it would be considered "borderline" high and monitored carefully. I was just looking at the American Heart Association guidelines and they seem to be more stringent. My docs have always been happy for under 140. My systolic hovers in the 120's and 130's and I thought that was wonderful. Diastolic hovers in the 60's and 70's. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2112
A few years ago I thought I was having a heart attack and ended up having a stress test. Interesting experience--they imaged my heart before and after the test. I was shocked at how high my BP was while running on the treadmill during it--had always had this perception that working out lowered it (which it does, in the long run, just not apparently while doing). The physician said that was normal and asked, "Do you always push yourself so hard?" I replied, "Usually much worse." When the test was over, he told me (practically verbatim), "Congratulations. Your heart is going to last longer than most people's because you take such good care of it." So...I can have ten types of cancer and Alzheimer's, but my heart will remain strong.  What my chest pain really was: I had managed to pull the muscles in my upper chest, while rushing around doing too much stuff at once. Funny thing is, he said that I ran longer during the test than 95% of those taking it. I'm thinking that the other folks probably don't work out on a regular basis or they're over 90 or something--who knows.... But--I still take what he said with a grain of salt, because I think that you can add so much stress to your life that it can undo all the good benefits of working out or eating properly. Sometimes the more gently I try to live, the worse it all gets.
Regarding Mike's music, I tend not to relax with, rather am usually in motion--working out, driving, gardening, mowing, or cleaning (though actually, weird as it sounds, I find all of those activities relaxing). When I am running and feeling like I'm overdoing it or it's a bit too warm, I find that switching to Tres Lunas is very calming. I've mentioned over the years how Incantations hastened my recovery from mononucleosis. I meditate in silence. Perhaps, though, the next time I'm superstressed, I should take time, put on Inc IV or TL and breathe deeply (but not the gathering gloom). 
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"No such thing as destiny; only choices exist." From: Moongarden's "Solaris."
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stress can appear out of nowhere and manifest itself in all sorts of ways. Don't work too hard.