[VFB] re: Jim Burbank..your heart

[Joyce Westphal]

Jim, I'd suggest you ask your doctor to get you on a medication to lower your blood pressure. The higher that your blood pressure goes, the more your heart has to work to push your blood around and the more your heart enlarges. Eventually, it will get so stretched out that it can't work effectively. But, medicines such as beta blockers, Ace inhibiters, calcium channel blockers are very effective in stopping this cycle ( along with the life style changes you mention) and keeping your heart from enlarging further and you getting a heart attack.  Blood pressure medicines are not terribly expensive either, and you can ask the doctor to give you some office samples until you your doctor test you for diabetes as well as diabetes in the early forms often goes along with high blood pressure and enlarging hearts. Take care.   Been there..done that..Joyce