NFT: Blood pressure medication

but I'm pretty sure with exercise and diet you should be able to come off the medication. Most Blood pressure issues can be fixed just through that alone but not all.

Did you bring it up with your doctor? That would have been something i would've asked him at the time he was writing the prescription

First week was a little rough with some fatigue and stuff but after that everything is great. Pulse around 60 and bp 110/75 or so.

Nice thing is the BB actually protects the heart and takes some stress off it.

but for the most part they are safe and have been around for a long long time.

that you get a blood pressure cuff to monitor your blood pressure. That way, you can see how your meds are affecting your hypertension.

BTW, my cardiologist tells me to always put the cuff on my right arm (even though this is harder to do than the left arm if you are right-handed). He says that the left arm can sometimes give a very inaccurate reading.

his BP is probably fine now because he's in great shape but he's used to them and I guess he doesn't want to screw up a good thing. He calls them his "chill pills" lol.

Cut back alcohol intake, exercise, lose weight, stop smoking(if that applies). But for some people that is not enough. So meds are used. Now-a-days my cardiologist says they can dial in any number they want with the correct meds. But be be careful of any side effects and let your Dr. know if you have any. If so, they can change/adjust the meds easily.

In comment 13324344 slackerracker said:

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but I'm pretty sure with exercise and diet you should be able to come off the medication. Most Blood pressure issues can be fixed just through that alone but not all. Did you bring it up with your doctor? That would have been something i would've asked him at the time he was writing the prescription

i asked yes. believe me

I have uncontrollably HP which in some cases wind up in ER. On the day I had my heart attack in 2010, my bp was 256/212, they had to put an iv in my arm on way to hospital that couldn't be tilted for some reason or it would've killed me.

The only side effects it got initially from starting them about 25 yrs ago, was tingling in hand and fingers from the Enalapril. The Labetalol I'd get and still get dizziness from and dry mouth. The Chlorthalidone made me pass out a few times. Had to get used to the diuretic and dosage adjustment to keep me from getting up too fast and passing out.

Don't know what you're on but it may take a period of adjustment, esp if first time on them, and as your bp lowers some

different angles...the first one you try probably won't be your last.

and cut out the salt.

Mediation, light exercise (walking), and even some supplements like COQ10 should help (but consult your Dr first).

just not enough. play basketball 2-3 times a week in a pickup league. but im up 12 pounds since this summer. drink too much. eat whatever i want... time to change that shit up

Welcome to the club.
Blood pressure is good every time I get it checked.

I work out everyday, don't smoke, appropriate BMI, watch my diet and yet I still cant control the BP. It may take some trial and error. I had side effects with linosipril and benicar (coughing) but now I'm on two meds but my BP can vary widely. It's also usually higher at the DRs office. It seems to be an epidemic.

Always wonder if BP #'s are really important since half the country is on these life long meds. Seems like a drug company conspiracy. Good luck.

This may be part of your solution

I have high BP. Don't smoke, drink rarely, exercise often. Parents both have high BP so I guess it was destined. I take 3 meds: chlorthalidone (sp?), amolodipine, and larsatan. Blood pressure back to normal. It no side affects though the amolodipine had my feet swell at first.

The American Heart association estimates that 80% of all Americans will develop high blood pressure at some point in their life. Patients that I see, although this is not my specialty, are typically on 2 to 3 meds and most are well controlled. There should be few reasons today that blood pressure can not be well controlled. I suggest that you get a home monitoring BP machine and check your pressure multiple times in the week. In this way, you can give your treating doc a better feel abut how you are doing. It is difficult to guage control when you have but one or two readings to go on. Although smoking, lack of exercise etc. are all adjuvant causes, older age and atherosclerosis make it almost impossible for many of us to avoid meds despite taking care of reversible factors. Good luck and take your meds. Hypertension is a silent killer and when treated can easily be contolled

after suffering a stroke (due to an aneurysm in my brain). My BP was 220/200 when I walked into the stroke center at the ER.

Long story short, I cut way back on drinking, quit smoking, and reduced my red meat diet and started eating more fish and chicken. I have taken 10mg Norvasc and 10mg Altace daily ever since. Lost some weight, started exercising more and my BP stays right around 120 or 125 over 70-90.

My lifestyle changed so radically, I'm not sure if the pills do anything or not. I'm not willing to stop taking them to see. It was a big time wake up call

Breakdown of lowering blood pressure.
Link - ( New Window )

In comment 13324547 charlito said:

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Breakdown of lowering blood pressure. Link - ( New Window )

At the 14 min mark he talks about how to lower blood pressure.

It may be enough for you but BP medicines have made as much difference to human life expectancy than probably any other medication. Side effects depend on what you take. Mine have none.

High BP really doesn't have any symptoms. Is your doctor implying that the headaches might go away if you treat the high BP?

In comment 13324595 Knineteen said:

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High BP really doesn't have any symptoms. Is your doctor implying that the headaches might go away if you treat the high BP?

yes, that was his implication. about a year and a half ago i had a "migraine event" and have had pressure to varying degrees all around my head, ears, and eyes since. stiff neck, back. the severity varies.

For about 10 years (2.5mg) - very small dose. It has really helped; other things that work are deep breathing, stay away from salt, and do exercise.

When you first start the medication, (if your doctor prescribes it), be conscious of it's effects. My doc gave me a 10mg prescription; it felt like I was going to "fly out of my skin". He lowered it, and I'm fine with it.

Something else to consider is that when you go to the doctor, you may be a little nervous - which will increase the reading.

Something else; buy your own blood pressure monitor and take it when you're relaxed , when you go to bed, (not when you get up in the morning, getting ready to slay dragons)

for 2 years and BP is way below normal. So much so that I asked the Dr. if I could stop and he said there is no benefit or risk to stop.

BP ranges from 100/70 - 120/80 so can't complain when it was 200/150 and they had no idea why.

is just the generic version of Norvasc

Right after the summer my blood pressure became extremely elevated.
My weight to a lesser degree.
I adopted the paleo lifestyle and try to walk at a good pace for 30 minutes 3x per week.
The weight came off and the blood pressure is now normal.
It is worth a try.
I only have one kidney so I try to stay off any type of daily medication.

That's the medication I'm on. It's the lowest dose. My blood pressure had a tendency to spike a bit and in an effort to smooth it out I've been on it for several years now and it worked.

I have a cuff that is calibrated with my doctors cuff so I know mine is correct. I take it a couple of times a week and not always the same time. As far as the Micardis I don't feel any effects.

In comment 13324925 X said:

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for 2 years and BP is way below normal. So much so that I asked the Dr. if I could stop and he said there is no benefit or risk to stop. BP ranges from 100/70 - 120/80 so can't complain when it was 200/150 and they had no idea why.

I just recently came off amlodipine after being on it for about five years. BP is averaging around 120/80 now. I haven't changed much in terms of diet or exercise, but did return to meditating after a (years) long hiatus. I am taking time during the day to practice deep breathing three or four times a day, and it has made a huge difference in how I feel physically and mentally.

which arm you use for your bp is not relevant. UNLESS you recently had a mastectomy, have an AV fistula for dialysis or have a DVT. Other than that and maybe a few other reasons I'm unsure of, the arm used does not a difference make.

Alot of hypertension cases are preventable with diet and exerecise. Sometimes it's simply heredity.
Beta blockers are fine and have a wide range of uses from anxiety (palpitaions can be included in that category). Tons of people who are actresses and other performers use beta blockers for stage fright; they block the fight or flight response Beta blockers do reduce the workload of the heart. Beta bockers are also used after the first heart attack. When you go into the hospital with an MI, you walk out with an Rx for BBs. However, generally speaking, they are not the first choice or treatment for hypertension anymore.

Calcium channel blockers are the first choice for african americans and those from the islands.

Angiotensin converting enzymes (ACE) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are generally the first choice of BP meds for all others. However, if you have asthma, be mindful of side effects with ACE's, they can trigger asthma attacks.

Keep a log at home of your bp's. Don't use those crappy wrist BP cuffs. Wear a short sleeve shirt when taking BP. And when you go to the doctor, of course they will take a BP when you get there, but ask to have another one take before you leave. It will be truer to your actual reading. (white coat syndrome and all that)