The Silent Killer...

[La Gringa]

How many of you guys have high blood pressure that you don't take seriously? I bet there's more than a few. If you fit this category, read this story and take heed...!!!!

I am in reasonably good health. I quit smoking last spring. A month later I had a steroid injection in my back to relieve pain from a herniated disc. This enabled me to be more active - I ride about 8 hard offroad miles on my mt bike everyday and have lost about 20 lbs.

But I have been ignoring the fact that I have an issue with high blood pressure. It's an easy thing to do when you're feeling good and strong and fit.

However, on Sunday, while conch diving I had a near drowning experience brought on by a severe episode of shortness of breath and a feeling of heavy pressure on my chest. I was at least 100 yards from the boat and Gringo was no where to be seen. I tried calling for him but it was taking my breath away even more. I quickly knew I was on my own.

It took what felt like a very long time for me to get back to the boat but was probably something like 15-20 minutes. Most of that time I was on my back - swimming at first and then just floating because the swimming was making the breathing even harder. Fortunately, we have a practice of swimming up current from the boat to look for conch so that when we are carrying them, we are not fighting to get back to it (my smart husband).

The whole time I could barely breath, just gasping and gasping. And believe me, when you are not breathing or getting adequate oxygen, you feel like you are dying. As I got near the boat I did some paddling to get there and once on the ladder with my upper body out of the water, I started to get some better breaths. Within probably 10-15 minutes I was feeling like I might survive this even though I was still sucking wind pretty hard - I felt like I was gaining just a bit with each breath. By 30 minutes, I felt that I was going to be ok. It was a very, very scary experience. My ability to remain calm and think things through probably saved my life. I credit my comfort in the water and my years as a highly-trained swimmer.

Chest xrays, blood work and EKGs are all normal. I luckily and thankfully did not experience a heart attack and there is no damage. But my blood pressure was through the roof - 185/105..!!!! And apparently just the bit of pressure from being underwater along with repeated dives (while holding my breath) brought about this episode. I would never have thought in a million years that this could happen to me. Today I believe that I am lucky to be alive.

There is a reason hypertension is known as the Silent Killer. Don't fool around with it. Get your blood pressure checked and if it's high - take care of it. No matter how good you feel, if gone untreated, this will catch up with you sooner or later. It's just a matter of time.

[algdog]

good advice, glad to see you are OK
now get on the meds and get it under control

[JD5652]

Wow....that's some scary stuff there...glad you are OK.

High BP runs in my family so I keep an eye on mine. Purchased a good BP device last year that stores and trends the data. Fortunately, I have been OK to date. Lost 35 lbs this past Spring and have managed to keep 30 of it off. I think this is also a key to keeping your BP under control.....that and stress relief.

Good luck!

[Robja]

Glad your okay LaGringa

[La Gringa]

I am definitely back on the meds and my BP and pulse rate are already significantly improved (137/82 about 30 min ago). I had a machine and it broke - another neglected issue. I got a new one yesterday. I also have high BP in my family and it was stupid of me to just sort of "forget about it". It's easy to do though and this is why I mention it.

My biggest factor lately has definitely been stress. Stress with kids, job, thieving ex-husband.. you know.. typical... !!! Even in paradise..!!!!

[bigeasy]

Most of us will get it if we live long enough. Males are more prone to hypertension than females. They live 6-7 years longer than we do.

Also keep an eye on cholesterol and blood sugar. Obstructing plaques limiting blood flow and diabetes are deadly killers also.

Cliff

[TimBaskin]

WoW you are a very lucky lady. it is so scary to not be able to breathe. Have you been looked at by a doctor who is experienced in diving medicine. You might call DAN (Divers Alert Network) in North Carolina for some follow up. They are the nationwide authority for diving accidents. 800-446-2671

[scalez]

Daumn, what a scary experience ! So glad you are alright ! Thank goodness your boating and diving experience contributed to your safety.

[La Gringa]

I had my cholesterol tested last spring and it's fine - good cholesterol is high, bad cholesterol is low. Blood sugar was tested then too (glucose fasting) and yesterday as well. Also fine. The only thing that is not fine is my BP.

This all happened in 11 feet of water - plenty enough to be over my head and scary. I think the combination of the pressure the water was exerting on me and the repeated dives to grab conch while holding my breath triggered this event. And even though it's not much pressure at that depth, the fact that I immediately noticed a difference when I got on the ladder tells me it was enough!!! I believe the docs here though maybe not experts on diving accidents are quite knowledgeable about them. The clinic even has its own hyperbaric chamber.

[Billatstarbrite]

If my doctor sends his uber-hot nurse to check my blood pressure, it is high. if he sends the "pleasant" nurse, it is absolutely fine.

I want her (the hot one) to get a job with my urologist.