On this and other forums I see many posts by those who do not want to take medication for raised BP and/or cholesterol and/or HbA1c (an indicator of diabetes). Often they say they will address this by diet and exercise but fail to do so in the first six months but promise to try harder!
Someone I know is currently in hospital after an unspecified emergency, and were found to have blood clots and heart failure. The consultant has put them on BP medication, statins (total cholesterol >6) and may also start treatment for Type II diabetes (HbA1c has been in pre-diabetic range for many years).
In this case the good intentions have gone on for around a decade with mo permanent weight loss (BMI ~ 35) or exercise regime. So if you say you are going to do it DO IT - you may not get a second chance - or accept the medication with good grace!
Written by
MichaelJH
Heart Star
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Sound advice, Michael. Sadly, it will not be heard by many in time. If we have a National HEALTH Service, this is the sort of message it should be pushing.
Great advice Michael! I took it and a no longer pre-diabwric (but appreciate with age I may develop it), my BP is down with medication reducing 50%and my cholesterol is below 4 but I remain on a station as it would be over 5 without.Sorry to nag - quiz answers?
Excellent message and very well put. Hopefully some will take note and act accordingly. Sad to say too many out there trust Dr Google and the misleading disingenuous nonsense on there rather than the experts who have studied their way to the position where we, literally, have our lives in their hands.
Some people still have high cholesterol and high blood sugar even with excellent diet and exercise routines so if you’re prescribed medication I agree you should be taking it!
Very well said. There is actually one forum on HU where it is actually the moderators who advise against taking statins!! It is a forum I have left as it is run by certain people who think they know best, and if you disagree they would ban you if they could. If you want to post a comment not in line with their dictatorial and narrow-minded line of thinking you need a very thick skin indeed. Thank you for your sensible advice, which I now need to follow myself!
Excellent advice, we are all full of good intentions but not enough willpower. At my time of life I am willing to take all the help I can get, especially as my prescriptions are free!
Hi, I know exactly what you mean about people's good intentions. I was so shocked, when I had my diagnosis, I just took everything the cardiologist and doctor said to take, statins, BP meds, Angina meds, well everything else too. Because I was scared, very scared I was going to die, that's how bad it felt, I mean if you do all the correct stuff you should, diet, exercise and natural meds, great! And it works that's really great! but, I haven't got the determination, strength and motivation alot of the time, it knocks you for six getting the news, it's like a bereavement for me, you do get used to it somewhat, good luck with it all ...... It's just hard to get the energy.But, if you can put your mind to it, and try really hard and have the energy and motivation I reckon you can live a good life with it. X
Excellent post! I know several people on the "good intentions" route who are acting like ostriches burying their heads in the sand. Most are not achieving their goals and indeed never will. I keep telling them that there is absolutely no shame attached to taking medication.
My HA was down to a combination of a hereditary condition and stress and it came totally unannounced. Apart from a single BP medication I had not been taking any meds and was almost proud that I had reached the age of 65 without being prescribed lots of pills. What made the difference for me in accepting the raft of medication that was being prescribed for me post HA was two-fold. Firstly, I was given a very clear explanation of what each medication would do and why I needed it. Secondly, it was made very clear that the combination of medication was being prescribed to give me the best chance of not experiencing another heart event. To me it seemed a no-brainer. Since starting on heart medication I have taken a pro-active stance in respect of the drugs I take, getting some taken off my list and, actually at my specific request, getting others either added or the dose adjusted.
Do I feel a failure because I take a daily cocktail of 7 medications? No way.... not when at age 71 I'm still climbing mountains in Scotland. I count myself very fortunate. I know many far less so... and several heading that way! 😯
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