Uncontrolled BP on many meds
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 19 2009
Q: I was diagnosed with high blood pressure in 2003. I tried Clonidine, Accupril and got rebound hypertension and impaired Kidney function. I am currently on the following medications - Tekturna 150 mg x2, Terazosin 10 mg x6, Labetalol x1, Guanfacine, x3, Hydralazine 10 MG x2. My BP now stays high. Can these meds be having an interaction issue, or just too much medicine? Can any of them cause rebound hypertension and make my BP worse? I just ordered the RESPeRATE Machine to see if that will help. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
A: The more medications you take, the more likely you are to have an interaction of some kind. For a good discussion on interactions, click here. The drugs you are taking for your blood pressure are all in different classes of medication and should work together to lower your pressure. Clearly you are having problems. You should show your blood pressure readings to your doctor and discuss your concerns. Rebound hypertension can occur if you stop your drugs or aren’t taking them as prescribed.
Tags: accupril, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood pressure readings, Clonidine, guanfacine, high blood pressure, hydralazine, hypertension, interaction, kidney function, labetalol, meds, minoxidil, rebound hypertension, RESPeRATE, Taking BP Meds, Tekturna, terazosinVariability of BP readings
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 19 2009
Q: My readings vary a lot, ranging from the healthy zone of 115/76 all the way up to 150/95. Many of my readings are in the 136/86 zone +/- In addition to being a Resperate user for several years, I am also newly taking a betablocker to help control my blood pressure. What is the significance of having such a wide range of readings?
A: Blood pressure is not constant. It varies with activities and natural body rhythms. However, when you repeatedly have elevated readings, it shows your blood pressure is not in good control. I assume this is why you were started on medication.
Tags: betablocker, blood pressure, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, hypertension, Measuring Your BP, medication, RESPeRATEDiagnosing white coat hypertension
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 19 2009
Q: Each time I take my blood pressure at home it is about 115/63 no more than 128/63. But it is very high at the doctor’s office. She gave me a low dose of high blood pressure medicine. I asked her what my blood pressure would be after I take the medicine and she said 130/80. I didn’t start to take the medicine… why should I take it if my blood pressure is below 130? What would you do?
A: Take your home blood pressure readings to your doctor. You might have what is known as “white coat hypertension”. Your doctor may want to do additional testing, such as 24 hour or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to be sure you are currently in need of treatment. Newer studies are suggesting that “white coat hypertension”, increases the risk of developing of high blood pressure later in life.
Tags: ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood pressure medicine, high blood pressure, white coat hypertensionEffect of high altitude on blood pressure
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 19 2009
Q: I recently moved from about 100 feet above sea level to 6500 feet above. Will this affect my blood pressure?
A: Until your body adjusts to a higher altitude by increasing blood oxygen carrying capacity, your heart will have to work harder. This can temporarily affect your blood pressure. High altitude is usually defined as starting at 8000 feet above sea level. At 6500 feet, this will be less of a problem.
Tags: blood oxygen, blood pressure, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, high altitude, MiscFrustrated with high blood pressure
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 03 2009
Q: I’m an active 46 yr old African man. I’ve had high BP since I was a teenager, but I’ve also been active all my life doing sports. I have been running 3 miles every other day. Despite all these efforts I’ve been making (including the medications), my blood pressure is still high. I had a check up with my Dr last week, and my cholesterol has also elevated a bit. I’m frustrated, and don’t know what else to do!
A: Ask your doctor about using the RESPeRATE. This device has been proven in clinical studies to lower blood pressure. It is simple to use and has no side effects. Talk to your doctor about diet. Perhaps increasing the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables and lowering your salt intake would be beneficial.
Tags: blood pressure, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, cholesterol, fresh fruits and vegetables, high blood pressure, hypertension, RESPeRATE, salt intakeLifestyle changes to lower BP
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 03 2009
Q: I have high blood pressure and my doctor wants to have lab work done and put me on medication to lower it! My blood pressure is 170/80. I weight 249 and am doing everything that I can to lower it by eating right, losing weight, and lowering my salt intake. However it isn’t lowering it as fast as they need it too. What else can I do before I’m on medication?
A: You did not mention exercise. Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for your body. Regular aerobic exercise has been shown to lower blood pressure. You also could discuss trying the RESPeRATE with your doctor.
Tags: aerobic exercise, blood pressure, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, bp, Diet & Exercise, high blood pressure, hypertension, lifestyle change, lifestyle changes, losing weight, lower blood pressure, RESPeRATENeed a second opinion
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 03 2009
Q: My doctor has me on 6 different bp meds-Hyzaar 100-12.5/1 day, Spironolactone 25mg/1 day, Benazepril hcl 10mg/1 day, HCTZ 25mg/1 day, Carvedilol 12.5 mg/1 tab 2x day, Clonidine HCl 0.1 mg/1 tab 2x day. I feel this is very excessive. In the last year I’ve been to the ER 3x because my bp was in stroke zone. I also take an extra Clonidine & Carvedilol periodically when my bp spikes during the night. Can you help me with any advice?
A: You are taking many medicines but your blood pressure isn’t in control. Assuming you are following your doctor’s instructions, a second opinion could be helpful. Health Grades can help you locate a doctor in your area. Click here.
Tags: benazepril, benazepril HCL, blood pressure, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, carvedilol, Clonidine, hypertension, hyzaar, second opinion, spironolactoneTreating high diastolic pressure
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Oct 22 2009
Q: Only my diastolic (lower number) is high. What drives the diastolic pressure and what lifestyle changes can be made to lower it?
A: For good information explaining blood pressure, click here. Diastolic pressure is the measurement of blood pressure between heart beats. Life style changes that are recommended include, regular exercise, a healthy diet, maintaining a normal weight, and stopping tobacco use.
Tags: blood pressure, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, high diastolic pressure, hypertension, Isolated Hypertension, life style changes, lifestyle changes, tobacco useHigh morning BP
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Oct 22 2009
Q: I checked by blood pressure three times a day. At 8AM it read 156 over 96, at 2PM it read 108 over 56, at 8PM it read 120 over 67. Do I have high blood pressure?
A: You need to discuss your blood pressure findings with your doctor. Your pressure is high in the mornings which is worrisome. Additional testing may be needed.
Tags: Blood Pressure & Hypertension, high blood pressure, hypertensionTreating essential hypertension
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Oct 21 2009
Q: The treatment of “Essential” Hypertension by doctors appears to be a shotgun prescription of various drugs, until one of them works to lower blood pressure. A neighbor of mine was given medication to take, and when he got up at night, he would pass out (presumably, from an extremely low blood pressure). Are doctors unaware of this type of consequence? And why can’t they take the time to figure out what’s really causing the hypertension? And treat that, instead of prescribing inappropriate medications?
A: Most people suffer from essential hypertension. It is called essential hypertension because no cause can be found. Hypertension related to a specific abnormality is called secondary hypertension. At the time high blood pressure is discovered, testing is done to determine if you have essential or secondary hypertension. Doctors know how drugs work and the effects they can have. Not everyone responds to drugs in the same way. Until you are tried on a drug, it is impossible to know for sure how you will react.
Tags: Blood Pressure & Hypertension, drugs, essential hypertension, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, medications, secondary hypertension, Taking BP Meds, treatment
