Jaci Dawn

Today was my six-month check up for my blood pressure meds. Six months ago I went to see my doctor because I felt like something funny was going on with my blood pressure. I had been monitoring it at home and it seemed like it was not just getting higher – it was staying high.

The doctor gave me his standard “You need to schedule a coloscopy” lecture, commented on the extra 15# I was sitting on and checked my blood pressure which was Very High. My doctor put me on a very low dose of Lisinopril (10mg) and said we’d check it in 30 days. After 30 days, he declared we could wait until 6 months were up because the meds seemed to be working.

In the meantime, I adopted Harvey.

Harvey who just farted. Thank you, Harvey. Excuse me while I go get a gas mask…

Anyway, I got Harvey.

I didn’t go on a diet because, well, I go up 15# and I go down 15#. Just this time it was taking a little longer to lose the 15#.

Anyway, I went to the doctor today for that six month check-up knowing I’d lost some pounds and knowing that my BP was holding steady.

I was unprepared for what happened.

First, the doctor’s scales showed a loss of nine pounds. You know you’ve lost weight when the doctor’s scales confirm it. Doctor’s scales always make you fatter than you really are but today the scales made me normal.

Second, my blood pressure was 112/70.

My doctor came in and brought up the colonoscopy thing again. I told him I would schedule it when I turn 55 which is a year from now.

Then he asked what lifestyle changes have I made? Dieting?

“I got a dog.”

Okayyyyy. So he wasn’t real impressed. But he was impressed with the weight loss & the low blood pressure. He was almost concerned about the low blood pressure but I assured him that until my little episode of high blood pressure earlier this year, I have always had low BP.

His conclusion after our interview is that my high blood pressure stemmed from something external happening in my life, not something hereditary like heart disease. He then cut my prescription in half and told me to try it at half dose for 2 weeks, monitoring it twice a week. If it stays low, then I am to call him and let him know I am going OFF of the meds. Then I just need to monitor it.

My conclusion? Well, for two years I have been without a cat. Don had a dog and Chrystal had Nimrod the Cat, but I really had no warm, fuzzy pet (parakeets don’t count).  And a year ago I ended up without even a parakeet or Chrystal’s cat. They say pet owners live longer and have lower blood pressure.

Short of a miracle of God, I conclude that adopting Harvey lowered my blood pressure.

Thank you, Harvey.

(Now, if I can figure out a way to avoid the colonoscopy…)