Posted 5/31/2020 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
For about 10 years I was on a Paleo-ish diet (52% fat, 27% carbs, 21% protein, about 700 mg diet cholesterol).
I started it after being vegan for a while which was in turn was adopted after I was prescribed pills for high blood pressure ( I never took those).
Paleo sounded logical and I was afraid of deficiencies. I am 170 cm tall and never really had a problem with weight - 65-68 kgs.
I test my lipids yearly and TC has been about 200 to 260 mg/l.
In the meantime I got Lyme in 2013 and one symptom that stayed with me was air hunger.
My BP was always normal until about 10 months ago when it started to get to 140/90, with left arm and chest pain and tightness, increased air hunger.
5 months ago I went to the doctor and was prescribed beta-blocker which I took off and on because BP would drop a lot but then it suddenly will shoot up again.
Was also prescribed a statin for lowering TC which I took only 2-3 times.
Also some changes of diet were suggested like lowering eggs from 6 to 4 a week but I would not listen cause I thought Paleo was OK.
And 5 weeks ago I decided enough is enough and went full on WFPB diet.
Dropped 5 kgs, TC down to 165, LDL 90, etc. You can improve your blood numbers relatively quickly but I doubt you can clean your blood vessels as fast if at all.
And here are my problems after this long preface.
After I changed diet I started to get more chest pain, more left arm tightness, the left side of my face would get tight and sometimes my whole face and head.
I would also get back pain and neck from time to time
The inside of my legs, just above the knees, would also get tight for short moments. This happens especially after a meal and last for quite some time. But is is not all the time.
I even went to ER afraid of heart attack because my BP went up to 135/85 after being below 120/80 for weeks with pills on and off ( I only took them because of the chest pain)
But they did EKG, blood test, said no and prescribed anti anxiety pill Stresam.
I read it is possible to have low stomach acid after eliminating animal products and it can cause chest pain.
Although it might be a factor it still would not explain left arm tightness/burning, chest pain not only around chest plate.
Is it possible that the diet change needs more time? And I should take my BP regularly until all signs of CV problems are gone?
I would be glad if someone shares their experience while I am waiting for my doctor appointment.