The Hypertension Tango

I'm a man with hypertension, that's high blood pressure to you,

I wore a 24-hour monitor to confirm that this was true.

I have to take two pills daily, Ramipril and one I cannot spell

And I've had to make some changes to my lifestyle as well.

I don't add salt to my food, my drinks are caffeine-free,

I try and eat more fruit and veg when I have my tea.

I never drank much alcohol, but I've reduced my intake more,

And I'm with all of that - none of it's a chore.

The thing that I find difficult, the thing I must increase

Is the amount of exercise I need to make me less obese.

I've never been quite sporty, I don't like to move at speed

I'm still looking for the right thing for the exercise I need.

And I know I need to do it to alleviate hypertension

Getting on the right regime will help disease prevention.

Hypertension brings with it a risk of many maladies,

Of heart, and blood and kidneys, and ultimately fatalities.

Then once a year I get a reminder to see the practice nurse,

To make sure everything is stable and none of it's got worse.

So, I go into the surgery and we have a little chat,

And every year she tells me I could lose a little fat.

The cuff of the sphygmomanometer wraps around my arm,

And strangulates the biceps looking for signs of harm.

Then I need to have a blood test to check that that all's OK,

(But I am needle-phobic, so I must look away!)

So far, so good, everything's been fine each year,

Diet and medication seem to be keeping me in the clear,

But I can see the time a-coming, when I must drop the pies,

Then I'll have to face me fears and start to exercise!