Wellness

[Terrywu]

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

[rockygems123]

@smoochy Good for you for saying "yes you can do this"!  That's huge.

My mother had to limit her salt intake and we had the Morton's salt substitute in the house, we roasted cornish hens for her using it and pepper and they were good.  

We've used Mrs Dash and liked it, used it like regular seasonings.  I remember one recipe was using a salt free seasoning, think it was a bit spicy to give it a little more flavor, chopped garlic, lemon juice and olive oil, quick marinade on shrimp and then grilled, it was delicious. 

[smoochy]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@smoochy    I had that happen to me, although not as severe, about 20 years ago.  I was at a routine medical appointment and my BP was extremely high.  They sent me to the ER at a nearby hospital.  Wanted to call an ambulance but I refused.

Anyway, I spent the afternoon getting a Lasix IV.  They called it congestive heart failure.  The Lasix, then daily hydroclorothyisaide fixed me up and I've been fine ever since.

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The initial diagnosis was CHF, however subsequent tests ruled it out. Echocardiogram showed my heart muscle is strong and working normally. Glad to hear that you are doing well. 

[smoochy]

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@hckynutjohn wrote:

@smoochy 

I can personally relate to some of your heart and BP issues. I am now classified with Congestive Heart Failure(CHF) because of my low Ejection Fraction numbers. I am on oral Lasix because of my EF numbers, even though my fluid buildup is negligible compared to what you described for yours.

Many BP meds lower the heart rate, some much more than others. Some of the findings you listed are quite serious. Thickening of the heart walls and Pulmonary Hypertension! 

I'm surprised that you didn't seek answers from a Doctor when you noticed your extremities swelling up with fluid. That is quite often a signal your heart is not pumping sufficiently.

My blood sodium levels have been on the low side for decades. I quit adding salt back in the 1970's and read all labels very closely for the amount of salt in anything I eat or drink. You might be surprised to know there is sodium even in milk. There is 130mg of sodium in an 8oz glass of fat free milk.

If you do not have a personal Cardiologist, I suggest you find a good one. With the things you listed about your heart, what you eat may not be all you can do to help your heart.

Getting an Echocardiogram would be something I think you might mention to your doctor. Those EF numbers are very important for the things you listed with the diagnosis given to you in the hospital.

I wish you well,

hckynut(john)🥅🏒 🇺🇸

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To clarify, the initial onset of edema was in my left foot. Two days later it was everywhere and I was suddenly very short of breath.  That's when I went to the urgent care clinic. As far as cardiac testing, I had a complete work up in the hospital-stress test, echocardiogram, cardiac lab profile, X-rays. The cardiologist who managed my care said the pulmonary hypertension is mild and the thickened heart muscle is mild,per results of the echo. My ejection fraction is normal because there is not anything intrinsically wrong with my heart. 

[PamfromCT]

@smoochy,

I am so glad you are ok.  Most of us learn the hard way to change our diets and lifestyles.  I do recommend you purchase a few books with ideas to help you transition.  It does take a while, but you will learn how to eat well and healthier.  

It it is a different way of cooking, but you will get used to it.

My DH and I made the transition many years back after my DH had a mild heart attack.  He has been fine ever since, and we rarely “cheat” on our healthy way of eating.

All my best to you.

You can check out “Penzeys Spices.”  They offer a catalog, and have quite a few salt-free mixtures to send for.  And yes,

after grilling veggies in the oven, you will love them.  

[Kachina624]

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@greenjean1 wrote:

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@smoochy    I had that happen to me, although not as severe, about 20 years ago.  I was at a routine medical appointment and my BP was extremely high.  They sent me to the ER at a nearby hospital.  Wanted to call an ambulance but I refused.

Anyway, I spent the afternoon getting a Lasix IV.  They called it congestive heart failure.  The Lasix, then daily hydroclorothyisaide fixed me up and I've been fine ever since.

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I call Lasix the "peeing your brains out" med.  I took it once and thought I'd never stop, but it did the trick.  My culprit: a July 4 celebration with too many hot dogs, chips and pickles. It would be an odd way of going out.

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@greenjean1   I didn't take it long as it caused me to chronically cough, a typical side effect.  I went to an opera and had to leave my seat because I couldn't stop coughing.  There are alternatives.

[AuntG]

I think you'll find the DASH cookbook has some palatable recipes. Thankfully, I'm not on prescribed medications but I need to lower my glucose numbers as they are creeping up. It's great that most your numbers were normal so now you can concentrate on the sodium and blood pressure. Good luck on making healthy changes.

[smoochy]

@hckynutjohn 

my "numbers" were satisfactory to the board certified cardiologist who attended me in the hospital. Not going to engage in any further discussion with you about this. 

[hckynutjohn]

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@smoochy wrote:

@hckynutjohn 

my "numbers" were satisfactory to the board certified cardiologist who attended me in the hospital. Not going to engage in any further discussion with you about this. 

@smoochy 

As you wish,

hckynut(john)🥅🏒 🇺🇸

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