Just wanted to share the news...
My brother-in-law (50 y.o.) is in hospital now. He had a minor stroke. There was weakness, fatigue, dizziness, no appetite. His BP (upon checkin at hospital) was 190/ 110. He had a CT scan & there was a 30 ml (cc) clot on the right side of the brain. According to the doc, the cause was arterio-venous malformation.
Brain AVM (arteriovenous malformation) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
He's in a private hospital and condition is stable. There's weakness but thankfully no paralysis. They're keeping him in an "intermediate" room (it's in between ICU & regular/ private room). Hopefully by next week, he'll be out of hospital.
He's a bit overweight (but not obese) but AFAIK, he doesn't have much exercise and his work is mainly desk-bound. He has family history of hypertension. He doesn't smoke nor drink alcohol.
Due to covid restrictions (yes, we still care about covid in PH) visitors are not allowed & only 1 family member is allowed to stay in the patient's room.
I told my sister that they must make lifestyle changes from hereon - more exercise & a healthier diet (my sis is also overweight & has family history of HPN too).
Sigh... Such is life. I'm thankful that they were able to treat it early on & they can still make lifestyle changes.
To TD peeps - I guess this is a reminder for all of us to take care of our health. XOXO
bro didn't drink or smoke and still had a heart attack. sucks.
^^ sorry to hear that Katie.
^ genetics and diet also contribute to risk, my dad died of a heart attack.
@armstrong - it was a stroke (brain attack), not heart attack. Blot clot was in the brain (right side). But yeah, similar stuff. I think his dad died young (40 plus?), and it was via heart attack. It was when he was in high school.
But yeah, my BIL doesn't smoke nor drink but he likes food... So now, their kids have hypertension genes from both sides of the family.
It's why I *try* to be constant w/ exercising bcos I've got hypertension genes. My dad had a major stroke at 58. He was also overweight that time, and had a history of drinking (he wasn't drinking anymore at that time). He survived for 13.5 years (~70% recovery after stroke, he was left disabled) then died of heart attack.
@mike - thanks for the kind words.
BIL's condition is OK and we expect him to recover. I hope his recovery is 100%. Some don't have paralysis but have lingering weakness.
as you mention lets hope it acts as a wake up call not just for him but others in the family, blokes are especially bad at looking after themselves, we all think we are invincible until the grim reaper gives us a reminder otherwise. Best wishes for recovery and many years to come.
Update on the BIL's condition:
His BP has decreased to normal (120/90 at present) but it's still fluctuating. He gets tired fast (even after only talking). His thinking process is a bit slow and has trouble with memory - those are due to the blot clot in the brain. His peripheral vision in the left eye is decreased. Motor skills (either side) are not affected. He's still in the intermediate room, not yet fit to be transferred to the regular room. Prior to the stroke, he seldom got ill and didn't take any medication except vitamins (I think). Things are looking positive.
His 1st kid graduated from uni last year and is new to the workforce. So there's only 1 kid left to support - she's doing 1st year in uni. Financially, they're doing OK. He doesn't have work-sponsored private insurance but he does have Philhealth (govt program). Philhealth will shoulder 20 to 25% of the hospital bill (based on my dad's experience), so they (sis & BIL) will still pay a substantial amount.
Update on my BIL's case:
He stayed for a week in hospital - 5 nights in the intermediate room & 2 nighys in a regular room. The bill amounted to more than P200k, or USD 4,000+. They paid it "out of pocket" with ~20% already deducted from the bill via PhilHealth (govt health insurance system). He doesn't have paralysis on either side, but there's still weakness & sometimes difficulty in breathing/ gets tired easily. He can return to work (desk job, WFH) and he's advised to take it easy. He has daily meds to control BP (at the moment). Hopefully, his condition will improve so that the dosage can be decreased.
For his family history, both his parents had BP issues. His dad died young (at 38) due to BP and drinking (liver?) issues.
Both the BIL & sis are advised to monitor their BP & food intake. Hopefully it's a wake up call for both of them, as both are overweight & don't exercise much.
Thanks for all the words of support via PM or greens.
The father of a "friend of a friend" (a millenial hike friend) passed away this weekend. He was only 57. He died due to heart attack. He wasn't obese - was a bit overweight & had a daddy belly.
I was surprised. 57 is still so young & below the average dying age for men here (which is 68). I said a prayer last night for his soul and for his family. Life is indeed precious.
I had been working part time before going to Lao in December for a much needed break after all this covid nonsense and Mrs bld,s health problems . When I returned the company told me I needed to do a department of transport medical assessment which I failed due to high blood pressure. A week later and daily pills I was back to normal.but had to cough up $150 to the department of transport . Now I have to take these pills daily for the rest of my life according to the doc . Holy fuck . That's another pill I've gotta remember to take. I will probably get a second opinion about taking the damn things forever but if that's the case it is what it is, I'm 58 and look like shit but mentally I still think I'm 21 . I'm.back working now and enjoying it because it is keeping me active.. I hope your Bils health condition will improve but if he's anything like me he might not take lifestyle change suggestions . I sure need to wise up . But im matigas ung ulo. I've gotta snap out of it
@BLD - pls take care of yourself & don't be too "matigas ang ulo". (I'm glad you still know your Tagalog phrases.) My friend's dad died at 57; my dad had a major stroke at 58. A colleague's husband had a major stroke at 60. Both my dad & the colleague's husband recovered to only 50 to 70%. They have/ had mobility issues and one hand was paralyzed/ almost useless.
My BIL is OK, taking things slowly at the moment. They're doing lifestyle changes but not an easy task. He has daily/ lifetime meds too.
On the subject of blood pressure, has anyone bought a smartwatch that monitors it?
I was thinking of buying a Samsung 4 classic to monitor my blood pressure but I also wanted GPS for getting location info on my photographs. I was torn between this and the Garmin but now the Samsung 5 pro does both so thinking seriously about this watch.
Just wondering if anyone else is thinking of buying the same or already bought similar.
As long as you are aware that exercise, eating and drinking will affect your BP, shouldn’t really be a problem. I use a digital monitor with cuff at certain points during the day. Usually when I’m relaxed. Mid morning and mid afternoon are the best times for me.
I take one prescribed med every day for hypertension control.
Philosophy is questions that may never be answered. Religion is answers that may never be questioned.
Last edited by cyrille; 05-03-2023 at 01:54 AM.
Yes, it was originally Sigue Sigue Sputnik and Elgar.
But I changed my mind.
i'll tell you what Troy, don't support Arse - its a hypertension rollercoaster
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