CORONAVIRUS - Life Continues!

It was a five and a half mile walk for me today - Power walking I suppose you would call it, not your usual stroll, but rather a fast paced expedition to Southsea and the front. There isn't a day that goes by, that I'm not doing some physical activity, which is a complete departure from my couch potato past. It was a bit chilly this morning, but once again perfect weather for walking.

I had been expecting a phone call from my Doctor today, who wanted to discuss a couple of issues with me. The first was in reference to a dull ache in my chest, that I have had since contracting COVID-19 symptoms in late March early April. He explained that if I have had Coronavirus, this was most likely the 'hangover' as he put it. Many people have been left with some kind of bi-product and it was likely that this would go in time.

Secondly he wanted to discuss my blood pressure, which has fallen dramatically in recent months. I was prescribed Enalapril whilst living in Spain in 2015 to treat my hypertension and have been on it ever since, but with my levels falling steadily, to a low of 97/71, I was told that I no longer need to take the medication.

My change in lifestyle, eating healthier, no smoking or drinking and a daily exercise regime had all contributed to a sustained fall in blood pressure, that in his words, I had achieved through sheer hard work. He explained that it was possible to come off the ACE Inhibitors as long as I continue leading a healthy, active life, which of course I intend to do.

Words can't describe how happy I am to be able to ditch the pills after five years, it has been a bumpy ride getting here, but in the end the COVID-19 Pandemic has done for me, what I couldn't have achieved under any other circumstances.  The Government's encouragement to get outside and exercise, has been just the push I have needed to get to grips with my own demons and walk every single day. The Doctor has told me to closely monitor my BP readings twice a day over the next fortnight, but all going well, I should finally be medication free!

This rare piece of positive news has given me a boost at a difficult time in all our lives. My advice is get out, do your daily exercise then stay firmly at home. Mentally I have also become stronger and I hope to continue making progress. In time, I really want to stop taking Statins as well, a rather nasty drug that lowers cholesterol, but one that has a lot of bad side effects, many of which I endure every day. This is another goal to work towards as all of us continue to fight our own battle with COVID -19!

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