I have since had another appointment with my GP on the 1st May 2026. Scroll down to read about what we discussed.
I'm hoping that some of the dietary changes I have made, have had a beneficial effect on my cholesterol levels. I am quite prepared to continue monitoring my BP levels for several months and then maybe try and get another blood test done to measure my cholesterol levels.
I have read that levels of Alpha Lipoic Acid, which is naturally produced in the body, decline with age and I am wondering whether I should consider trying some ALA supplements.
I'm really not sure what to think about statins as I've heard about so many people around me who have had negative responses to statins, far more than I would expect listening to Alex in the next video:
I didn't understand a lot of what Sarah was saying but my take away from a dietary point of view is this:
I have been using Zoe 30+ a day scoops added to my cereal since the start of the year, plus I've reduce dairy and carbs so it would be very interesting to learn if what I've been doing has reduced my LDL levels.
I haven't yet really focussed on any exercise activities, mainly because I feel a bit restricted by my hernia operation in late March and the chilly weather has also been a deterrent!
Last summer I was out walking the walls most days and taking photos of flowers, architecture and people (if they would let me). I set off this morning when there was still a chilly north easterly wind coming in, intending to maybe go as far as Micklegate bar and then turn back home (via the coffee shop of course). Not far from Skeldergate on the walls I met a couple of visitors who spontaneously asked me to take a photo of them both and we had a chat. They asked me how far it is to go all the way around the walls and I realised that I didn't actually know (its about 2 miles). As I walked on I thought that as the sun was shining, it was actually getting warmer and warmer, maybe I should just go for it which I did. I've done it many times in previous years but it was good to do it when there weren't too many tour groups clogging up some of the narrower sections of the walls.
Above is a video about a set of exercises designed to combat high blood pressure that makes a lot of sense. This is going to be my goal for the next three months. To do these exercises in the order suggested every day(as best I can).
10 minutes after first doing these exercises, I'm getting a reading of 117/78.
In summary what the 7 minute exercise routine is aiming at is:
| Exercise | Time |
|---|---|
| Wall Sit | 90 seconds |
| Plank | 60 seconds |
| Cardio Burst | 90 seconds |
| Calf raises, Arm circles, Light Squats | 60 seconds |
| Calm Breathing 5secs in, 5secs out | 120 seconds |
I saw my GP again on the 1st May and presented him with my results including the latest one (at that time) showing Systolic 107.91 Diastolic 75.64
He was delighted with the change in my readings and asked me what I'd been doing to get this sort of drop in my readings. I explained about this being a mixture of things to do with the way I was taking my readings, combined with dietary changes to stop eating various foods and adding in other foods and some supplements.
He said he was no longer concerned about my blood pressure readings and also wasn't now concerned about my cholesterol levels either, which surprised me because I thought that my higher than usual LDL cholesterol level was going to be the next thing I would have to tackle.
Whilst I was there he had typed a number of details (I think including my Systolic average) into an online calculator which predicted my risk of developing a heart condition in the next 10 years and he was relaxed about the answer. He said that the main contributary factor in this calculation was my age!
The only remaining thing he wanted me to do was to another urea and electrolyte test. My understanding of this was that this was to check my potassium levels again. Hopefully that will also be going the right way since I have avoided as much salt as I possible can for the last 4 months.
Obviously, I need to keep on top of my blood pressure readings. I certainly don't want to let things lapse and go back to my previous 140+ Systolic levels.
So as of the 4th June 2026, my plan is to: Keep the changes to my breakfast routine going:
Relax the readings a little bit but to take at least one reading every day so I can keep a running average going and spot if it goes off course.
My Diastolic reading has gone up a little since last month so I am resolved now to:
Keep my cardio exercises going a bit more frequently, now I'm over the discomfort following my operation. Given I'm currently not able to play badminton due to a foot problem my resolution this month is to start doing push ups regularly having seen Alex's video on it (see above).