Blood Pressure History

The pops kept a log of his blood pressure measurements, and looking over it last night was a sobering experience. A month before the heart attack, the systolic was still averaging around 130. Over the next weeks, it went up to 140, 150, even 161 one day, then it went down again. But the week before the heart attack, it rose relentlessly, culminating in a staggering 184 the day before it happened. His handwriting seems to reflect his deteriorating condition, changing from very clear and precise to wobbly and trailing. God only knows what went through his head when he wrote down the number 184, and why he didn't tell anyone or take himself to the doctor right away. It made us all very sad.