Health is True Wealth

I've been very fortunate to have enjoyed good health throughout my adult life. Touch wood that will continue.

As I approach my 55th birthday, I am putting more effort into monitoring some key health indicators, one of which is blood pressure (BP).

BP is the pressure your blood places on the walls of your arteries as it is pumped through your body. High blood pressure can be an indicator of heart disease and suggests an elevated risk of stroke or heart attack.

There are numerous risk factors attributed to high blood pressure, including red meat, coffee and alcohol. As I enjoy all three, I figured BP should be something I am aware of outside of my infrequent trips to the doctor.

Anyway, after doing some research, I went out and bought a blood pressure monitor.

This is the one I purchased. (click the photo to read more about it).

The device connects wirelessly to my phone to record data and is easy to operate.

I find it strangely addictive knowing how foods, drinks and exercise impact what's going on in my bloodstream.

The experts say that a healthy blood pressure reading is 120/80. Stage one hypertension is diagnosed when the upper reading is 130 or more, and stage 2 is over 140.

According to my machine, my BP is usually around 118/76, with a resting heart rate of 55. Thankfully, that suggests that I don't have a problem but I am intent on maintaining my BP in a healthy range.

Like all rabbit holes, one never knows where they lead, but my research took me to the treatment and preventative options available.

I have to say the prescription treatments filled me with dread.

Known as Statins, they work by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a central role in the production of cholesterol in the liver. Cholesterol production declines, and LDL levels (that's one of the blood pressure readings) drop

Along with taking a Statin, you'll probably be told to cut back on red meat, alcohol, caffeine, eggs and saturated fat.

Never wanting to be placed in that position, I studied some of the supplements available that are considered helpful in maintaining healthy arteries.

That led me to a supplement that is reported to decrease the risk of arterial plaque and potentially even REDUCE existing plaque buildup.