We are proud to feature this blog post by one of our HGF community members, Lewis Howe, as the first installment in a new series, “Living With Hypertension: One Man’s Journey.” Prepare to be inspired as Lewis candidly shares his personal triumphs and challenges in the quest to manage his blood pressure.

Despite having several, often self-inflicted, health issues over the years, my diagnosis of high blood pressure last month was something I never anticipated. I had managed my blood pressure for the past few years with medications like Amlodipine, and my number had usually come in around 127 over 86 or thereabouts.

Like many men my age, I’m loathe to see a doctor unless I absolutely need to. The recent pandemic exacerbated that thinking since I had come to believe I was more likely to contract COVID while seeing the doctor for an otherwise routine checkup.

So when I finally had my “annual” physical in April of this year, it had been just over two years since my doctor poked, prodded, and drew blood from me. What the numbers said was a huge wake-up call for me. My weight had ballooned to 264 pounds (I generally clock in at about 252), and most alarmingly, my blood pressure now read 132 over 90.

The doctor sat me down for the dreaded lecture I knew would not end well for me enjoying my usual diet of donuts and Chinese food. 

My primary care physician is a wise and learned man and is used to dealing with reluctant patients who don’t wish to be told that the things they most enjoy in life might be hastening their demise. The doctor walked me through what I usually eat during a typical day and suggested eliminating my customary afternoon slice of pizza and Coke and replacing my breakfast muffin with healthier alternatives.  He wrote out a longhand list for me to carry with me. These were the items contained within:  

• Pure protein bars

• Limit portions at dinner

• Limit red meat

• See nutritionist

• Lose 10-20 pounds in 3 months. 

• Get BP down to normal 120/80

• Get OMRON sensor upper arm cuff for testing. 

Since I’m fortunate to already be a part of the Heart of a Giant team, most of these recommendations made sense to me. Proper diet, my doctor noted, is even more important than exercise. Also, regular blood pressure monitoring is critical to the proper management of high blood pressure.

But the one piece of advice my doctor gave that is keeping me from pursuing my goals of weight loss and a corresponding reduction in blood pressure is his insistence that I reduce, if not eliminate, my intake of Chinese food.

This is no small feat for a man of my age and condition. I was able to give up cigarettes 24 years ago after being diagnosed with pre-emphysema. After a lifetime of excessive drinking, I achieved sobriety nine years ago. Now, in my late fifties, the justification for continuing to gorge myself in times of stress on General Gau’s chicken and crab rangoons remains strong. Those of us who practice unhealthy habits can twist ourselves into knots rationalizing why we continue to engage in harmful activities.

So I’ve begun my blood pressure journey slowly, with baby steps. I was never one to give up treats for Lent, but since I saw my doctor, I have entirely cut out donuts from my routine (muffins are next!). The daily afternoon pizza slice is down to twice a week. And much to my surprise, the protein bars my doctor recommended are both tasty and filling (at least the peanut butter flavor).

But the go-to comfort food, my stress reduction technique, which is an order of Peking ravioli with pork fried rice, remains the mountain to conquer. I’ve only gone for takeout twice a month since my physical, and I remain committed to staying away from these dens of high-fat iniquity until my blood pressure and weight are back to manageable levels.

If you are facing a similar challenge, I welcome your feedback, advice, and, most of all, ideas.

Want to enjoy these dishes the heart-healthy way? Check out our recipe section.

About the author:

Lewis Howe is the Community Partnerships Co-Ordinator for the Heart of a Giant Foundation. He welcomes your ideas, suggestions and expressions of support to help him in his fight against high blood pressure. You can reach him at [email protected].