After nearly 18 years of taking medication for high blood pressure, 51-year-old Charity Wischmeyer is now in talks with her doctor about the possibility of stopping her medication. The key to reversing her hypertension? A heart-healthy lifestyle and the help of semaglutide.
Before making changes to her lifestyle, Wischmeyer struggled with obesity, swollen legs and ankles, severe eczema, and elevated blood pressure. The extra weight drained her energy, making everyday tasks feel overwhelming, and walking up stairs often left her breathless. Despite trying various diets, including cutting out carbs, she often lost motivation when she didn’t see quick results.
A year ago, Wischmeyer could not control her blood pressure without taking her prescription, lisinopril, daily. If she missed a dose or lost track of time, her blood pressure readings would spike to dangerously high levels, around 180/120-130 mmHg. She recalls doctors warning her that she could suffer a stroke at any moment, though she didn’t feel any symptoms like dizziness.
Heart problems and high blood pressure run in Wischmeyer’s family. Her father and brother both passed away from heart disease, and their health issues were worsened by obesity and smoking. Determined to avoid the same fate, Wischmeyer knew she had to take control of her weight to improve her health and live longer than her relatives had.
Though she never smoked, Wischmeyer’s lifestyle included long hours of sitting at an office job, eating fast food, and lacking regular physical activity. At the time, she weighed around 200 pounds and struggled to lose weight. Excess weight is a leading cause of hypertension, accounting for 65-75% of the risk.
Adding to her health challenges, Wischmeyer dealt with stress and anxiety at home due to toxic relationships that made her feel ashamed of her weight. “I always felt low in confidence around those individuals, which prevented me from seeking change,” she says.
To make a fresh start, Wischmeyer moved, changed jobs, and enrolled in the LifeMD Weight Management Program. Through this program, she was prescribed semaglutide, a medication that helped reduce her appetite and made it easier for her brain to recognize when she was full.
“After taking semaglutide, I would go out to dinner and feel full after just a few bites,” she explains. “It felt like it reset my stomach. I used to eat everything on my plate, but now I realize I don’t need that much food.”
Semaglutide’s role in weight loss and blood pressure management is supported by science. It is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which helps lower blood pressure by promoting the elimination of excess salt and water from the body. It also affects the RAAS system, which regulates blood pressure, and helps relax blood vessels while improving the health of blood vessel walls.
Dr. Anthony Puopolo, Chief Medical Officer at LifeMD, explains that while the effectiveness of semaglutide in lowering blood pressure may vary from person to person, it has proven beneficial in managing hypertension and improving cardiovascular health for patients like Wischmeyer.
Thanks to semaglutide and her commitment to a healthier lifestyle, Wischmeyer has lost 60 pounds and successfully reversed her hypertension. Now, she has more energy to live an active, fulfilling life.
