Low expectations are a good starting point. This is kind of the default setting for Stoics, which strikes me as being a generally good life strategy.

I wonder if Stoics suffer from hypertension.

One of the variables that I have needed to address is alcohol, seeing as it was flagged by my GP. So, no wine from Sunday to Wednesday. While I didn’t experience any physical withdrawal, I was certainly triggered when seeing characters sipping glasses of red wine on whatever series I was watching.

From a BP perspective, the week was marked by a higher degree of consistency than previous. However, it was also the highest series of readings since I started this exercise. This was not what I was expecting. I really need to work harder at being a better Stoic.

Disappointed by this outcome, I joined the household in red wine from Thursday to Saturday (although obviously not in a solid multi-day binge!). I’ll give it another go this week. By “it” I mean abstinence.

Seeing as I didn’t get a result from sobriety (if anything, the opposite), I decided to go full metal jacket, by withdrawing coffee from Thursday. This also happened without any physical effects (i.e. no head ache etc).

What made the transition super easy is that I switched coffee for a cocoa drink (two heaped tablespoons mixed with a bit of hot water and a teaspoon of honey, topped with steamed milk from the coffee machine). I can’t say I’ve even craved coffee in this time.

There was no apparent drop in my blood pressure, although it did not increase post-cocoa as it does immediately post-coffee.

These days, no human activity is complete without AI, so I asked both ChatGPT and Perplexity if increased blood pressure could result from withdrawal of either alcohol or coffee. Apparently it is possible.

On the subject of AI, these answers strike me as being a little like the output of astrologers. They all toss such a large range of options into their answers that it’s possible to latch onto any part of it as a confirmation of something one wanted to believe was true.

Exercise was heavily rain affected. I forced myself out for just one interval session on Wednesday afternoon. I wonder if I can apply the Duckworth Lewis method to my week’s cycling?

I donated blood for the first time this week, partly as an experiment to see what it would do to my blood pressure (nothing, it turns out). Other than getting the admin done, as a first time donor, the whole experience was actually very pleasant. I’ll be back.

I have been given a list of natural supplements that could have an impact. One of these is Q10, which is presumably not the spray oil for dealing with squeaky hinges. If it comes down to a choice between a single pill prescribed by my GP, or a handful of capsules comprising lecithin, garlic, krill oil and Q10, I think I may lean in the direction of the single pill.

At the moment it’s looking very much like lifestyle adjustment isn’t the cure.

The Week in Numbers

Sunday
BP: 151/86
Bike: nil

Monday
BP: 153/94

Tuesday
BP: 151/94

Wednesday
BP: 156/94
Bike: 4 x 4 mins at 90% of max HR

Thursday
BP: 154/98
Bike: nil

Friday
BP: 159/92

Saturday
BP: 155/89
Bike: nil