Health & Fitness

I've ran into a slight scare on my end this week. I woke up with heart palpitations and just felt off. Head pressure, neck tension, etc. I also caught whatever bug my kids had this weekend: sore throat, raised temp (but no fever), post nasal (phlegm).

This prompted me to take my blood pressure and boy oh boy was it way higher than what I'm accustomed to. Based on the app I use, I was Grade 1 Hypertension. I'm usually at Pre-Hypertension at most, but this was high.

What caused it? I attribute multiple factors, but here's my thoughts:
- Work Stress
- Crypto Stress (LOL)
- Family Stress (Kids and dogs)
- Being "Sick"
- Large amounts of Caffeine intake

A few things this scare did for me was really cut out and limit my caffeine intake. Or more so monitoring it. I've cut caffeine off and on, cold turkey, no coffee for months on end, but I end up going back and I end up drinking 4-5 cups a day especially at night when I have work related projects.

Trying to leave "work" during work hours and cut out coffeine past noon is a big thing I'm working on.

Current caffeine stack:

Cup of coffee in the morning w/ Nutpods creamer (no sugar) + Sugar Free Hazelnut syrup + splash of salt (electrolyte)

Cup of Decaf coffee in the mid-morning w/ add-ons mentioned above.

If needed, I will drink a can of Coke Zero in the afternoon but I really try not to.

I'm also monitoring my blood pressure multiple times a day (morning, lunch, before bed) just to make sure my blood pressure is consistent.

My weight is actually at a good weight. I've hit this years target, but close to hitting an ideal weight that I'd like to maintain.

I didn't cut out coffee completely, but I limited it to 1 cup of coffee a day (in the morning). The first day was extremely tough. I legit had withdrawal headaches and muscle tension.

I tried drinking something like a matcha latte or tea during the 2nd half of the day.

I also started watching my sodium intake. My diet is pretty clean for the most part, but I ended up excluding ham from my diet. I added oatmeal and try to have my main meals more bland.

That same night, I did see improvements with my blood pressure. It eventually went back down to normal towards the night. Right before bed, I took it one last time and I was at an optimal stage.