Woman with Heart Disease Lost over 70 Pounds to Lower Her Blood Pressure

Michelle Emebo, a heart disease survivor, has shed 70 pounds and has figured out how to lower her blood pressure after concentrating on diet and exercise.

Emebo, 35, from Tinley Park, Illinois, weighed 225 pounds after giving birth to her daughter. In an interview with TODAY, she said that she had never weighed that much in her life.

According to her, she put on a lot of weight when she was pregnant. But that was not all she was worried about.

Her blood pressure started entering the hypertension stage at 135/90 in the prior weeks she started giving birth.

Although she had no symptoms, the readings at her doctor's office continued returning high and remained there after her pregnancy.

Emebo was also experiencing post pregnancy anxiety. She said that the things she was doing before to monitor her weight were not working once she gave birth to her daughter.

"I think that's just part of a woman figuring her body out after having her baby because you're sleep deprived and other things going on," Emebo said.

Emebo, whose parents were both diagnosed with high blood pressure, started taking blood pressure medication. However, her doctor wanted to increase her medication.

Emebo was advised to remove all additional salt and processed foods from her eating regimen.

That was when Emebo chose to make a change. She decided to concentrate on her sustenance and wellness. The first thing she did was meet a nutritionist.

Emebo was advised to remove all additional salt and processed foods from her eating regimen. She then signed up for a fitness class at a gym.

Everything she worked for paid off as she now weighs 155 pounds. Not only that, Emebo also no longer needs blood pressure medication.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Emebo has regularly checked her blood pressure because the skepticism made her feel more worried. However, the doting mother is glad to report her readings are on favorable terms.

Emebo shared her story in order to "encourage any other mom or woman out there to know the importance of taking care of yourself and taking control of your health."

Meanwhile, Dr. Annabelle Volgman, a medical director at the Rush Heart Center for Women, said that lifestyle changes could truly have a major effect.

In Dayton, Ohio, Jared Ream, who weighed more than 430 pounds, set out to lose enough weight to ride Orion, a new coaster at an amusement park.

Ream shed 190 pounds throughout 321 days through working out, limiting his eating routine, practicing intermittent fasting, and getting enough sleep every day.