‘I’ve completely overhauled my lifestyle’
Addiction put a strain on Sean Alexander’s life – and blood pressure. But he’s turned it around
The only indication Sean Alexander had of high blood pressure was a persistent “squiggle” in his vision. He went to an optician to get it checked out – and was sent straight to A&E. “That was back in 2016. They did tests and saw that it was high blood pressure,” says the 36-year-old from south-west London. “It wasn’t the biggest surprise because I was doing a lot of drinking and a lot of coke at the time.”
Lifestyle changes can help to lower blood pressure, but that wasn’t easy for Sean.
“Most people would make an effort to change their habits, but I was at the height of my addictions, so I carried on doing what I was doing, despite knowing the risks. I probably had high cholesterol at the time too, and those two factors combined are stroke and heart attack risks.” Doctors prescribed medication and regular checks, but, Sean admits, “There were a lot of other things going on in my life, so I didn’t take it that seriously. I think that was because I didn’t have symptoms apart from the squiggle in my eye. And when l read up on all the health problems with high blood pressure, it wasn’t enough to put me off doing what I was doing in terms of drink and drugs and eating unhealthily. “Now I’m a lot healthier. I have a bit of a car crash story – I lost everything to addiction. But it was the best thing that could have happened to me, as it gave me a clean slate to start over again. I haven’t drunk or taken drugs in over five years. Before, I was a financial adviser in London. I’ve since retrained as a counsellor and a strength and conditioning coach. I’ve also written a book to help other people through the various stages of giving up alcohol and drugs, and I’ve got a new one coming out in May. “These days I try to manage stress as much as I can, eat well and exercise a lot – a complete lifestyle change.”
Sean’s blood pressure is still monitored regularly and he’s glad he went for that eye test all those years ago.
“Until something bad happens, you don’t really know or feel anything from high blood pressure,” he says. “I look out for my own health now; before, I wouldn’t have taken anything seriously.”
Now I try to manage stress, eat well and exercise a lot