I genuinely want to believe that once I begin exercising more seriously, I will shed many of the health problems I face. I am pre-diabetic, I am about 30 pounds overweight, and I have high blood pressure that seems to get worse with time. My cholesterol has declined considerably, along with being diagnosed with Corotid Artery disease. The Carotid Artery disease was diagnosed as being blocked at 65 -70 percent in 2023. Then, I went to have a checkup 9 to 11 months later, and I was told there was no significant blockage as before; go figure! I still take the Aspiring 81 mg and 20 mg of Rovastatian, which was recommended by my GP. Also, I take Metoprolol 25 mg and Ramipril 5 mg for my high blood pressure, and the side effects are the worst. I do not know which one is causing the bad swelling in my legs and ankles mostly, but I am concerned, nevertheless. Does anyone have any tips on removing the fluid build-up naturally?
I truly want to believe. : I genuinely... - British Heart Fou...
I truly want to believe.
Believe! as it will happen and does happen.
Excericse, having a healthy weight all have massive benefits to heart health, general health, blood pressure, diabetes risk, mental health.
here's some links you may find useful and a goodpkace to get motivated
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
you can do it.
Do you believe the science around exercise and health ? I think it’s pretty indisputable 👍🏻. How about making exercise enjoyable and not “serious” and get started just by walking ? It doesn’t have to be complicated . What’s your meal planning like ? You’ll know that your nutrition is key too.
Re the fluid , I’d get in touch with an online BHF nurse today and chat through possible causes and ways forward . They may arm you with more information that you can then discuss with your GP on how to go forward.
Start by making the changes now , don’t sit back and wait !
I have found yoga very helpful. I go to classes twice a week. I've had to learn that I have to slow down and can't do everything. Yoga has taught me to listen to my body and stretch it as far as is comfortable, not further, no matter what others in the class are doing. Also it has taught me that some days I will feel better than others. If the atmosphere in the class is too competitive, find another one where the instructor works in a more positive way. I've found that it has changed my attitude to life so that I have similar feelings about life in general. Stretch yourself a little, enjoy it but don't overdo it and try to build up resilience for the days when you don't feel so good and things don't go so well. I share your feelings about the side effects of medications. With my cardiologist's help I am trying to reduce Metropol, but he is concerned about higher blood pressure, so I'm trying to reduce this by other means so that I can reduce and hopefully eliminate the need for it.
Having said all this, we must remember we are all on a unique journey and although we can swap stories we must all find what is best for us.
Good luck on journey. CM
As treatment for persistent oedema/fluid build-up depends on the cause, you may need a chat with your GP. More generally and firstly, cut down on salt. It's everywhere, and seems to be a common culprit.
Then, look to a healthy, balanced diet and drinking more water. To start with, take up gentle and regular exercise like walking. Raise the legs on a pillow at night, and raise them two or three times a day while resting . Eat foods rich in magnesium.
As supplements can interact with medication, you might like to check with your GP before considering the herbal supplement dandelion root and/or leaves.
These are just my suggestions, BadCat58, but they may help. Good luck! 🙂🦉
I’m really repeating the really good advice already given here. It’s likely that fluid buildup is a symptom of a “less than perfect” diet and lifestyle. Just to add:
To get good tips on what your diet ought to look like, go to the website of the specialist charity Blood Pressure UK.
Five years ago I was in a similar position to you.
About two stones/28 pounds overweight, bad diet (processed foods, constant snacking, take aways), sedentary lifestyle. And following bypass surgery I was also told I had high blood pressure and was borderline pre-diabetic/insulin resistant.
I fundamentally changed my lifestyle, lost all the excess weight (and have kept it off), exercise to full British medical guidelines (that means 150 minutes per week of fairly serious exercise, ie heart rate well above 100 bpm), I eat fresh natural foods, never snack between meals, and only eat within an eight hour window from 1.00pm to 9.00pm each day.
My blood pressure and HbA1c scores (the measure of how close we are to being diagnosed as type 2 diabetic) are well back in the safe zone, in fact they're both lower than they were twenty years ago.
Was this easy?
Unfortunately not. It's required real determination and will power, plus the hard reality is it's expensive and inconvenient. It's not surprising that so few people stick it out, most would conclude it's just too damn hard or is impossible to maintain within a busy, 21st century lifestyle.
But if you can make it work then there's a high probability (not 100% but a high probability) that you'll see really significant improvements in your health scores and materially lower your risks of type 2 diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes.
It's yet another of the tough decisions that life presents us with.
Good luck!
I have Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,hole in the side of my heart and hereditary Hyperekplexia. I am disabled and will be 66 next month started exercising in 2018. I go to a sit fit class every Monday ,do a morning wake up routine and when I don't go out do 25 mins exercise at home. I am fitter than I have ever been . Also I lost 7st between 2017 and 2022 and kept it off. Losing weight is a marathon not a sprint . No matter how much pain I am in or how bad my mobility is I do my exercises. Because they make me feel better.
Salt and alcohol can lead to fluid retention. Are you sure you are eliminating salt to zero on your diet?
I can’t really add much to the great comments here other than to say I’ve finally learnt to truly listen to my entire body and take care of myself from not overworking, doing more daily exercise, not stressing anymore, improving sleep quality nutritionally supporting my body more water more joy and plenty of self care then your mindset changes , i’m sure you will do amazing - please let us know how you get on 😊 x
I can thoroughly endorse exercise as a way of reducing BP, reducing blood glucose, and slowly losing weight. I asked my GP to refer me to a local gym, the trainer listened carefully to my many and varied health issues and suggested exercises based on my needs. I always did warm up and cool down on a treadmill, at a walking pace, and very slowly increased the speed, or distance, or incline. There were other machines, not all of them. I spent 20 to 30 minutes there 2 or 3 times a week.
You’ve got a fantastic collection of replies here.
It appears that , yes, if you implement a regular and gradually increasing (in challenge and quantity) exercise routine along with a careful and well structured eating plan, then you will be doing yourself a huge favour. Walking is a good and cheap start for most people . 10,000 steps is an achievable goal if you are physically capable.
Be consistent and sensible in your aims, don’t expect instant results , up your general movement alongside all this(if you have a Fitbit type watch this can encourage to move a bit every hour).
Wishing you much staying power and resolve.
It seems to me that it is the beta blocker that might be causing the leg issue. Several others posting on this site seem to have similar problem and all are taking one kind of blocker. I just cannot take them I have various side effects including terrible night cramps and increased claudication in my legs making it extremely difficult to walk. Ask your cardiologist if you can lower the dosage or for an alternative treatment.
Also re exercise, of course it helps, I would say however if you can join a club and get some one on one with a personal trainer or maybe your GP can recommend some PT I dont know what type of insurance you have there. I know when I lived in Seattle as I was older I could get the Silver Sneakers program which I think was something offered with Medicare. Now living in the UK its very different you can get a reduced membership only if you need to loose weight.
Loosing weight is so difficult, start with small changes and avoid processed food. Put some walking shoes on and ask a friend to join you. Walking is great for loosing weight. Please speak to your GP about swelling in ankles and legs. Good luck
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