Glaucoma and BP
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Mar 15 2010
Q: What are the causes of and treatments for glaucoma and does high blood pressure have an effect on high pressure in the eyes?
A: Glaucoma occurs when the pressure of the fluid in your eye becomes too high. Left untreated, this can cause blindness because of damage to the optic nerve. High pressure in your eye is different from high blood pressure. You can have high blood pressure and not get glaucoma. Left untreated, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the eye resulting in loss of vision. To learn more about the different types of glaucoma and treatment, click here.
Tags: Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood vessel, Blood vessels, blood vessels in the eye, bp, glaucoma, high blood pressure, loss of vision, Medical Conditions, types of glaucomaCan atherosclerosis be reversed?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Feb 10 2010
Q: Can arteriosclerosis be reversed other than surgically?
A: Surgery does not reverse atherosclerosis of the arteries. Surgery can bypass clogged arteries or can create an opening which allows blood to flow. However, some reversal can occur with medication. Certain blood fat reducing drugs decrease the build up in the arteries.
Tags: arteries, atherosclerosis, Heart Health, Medical Conditions, medicationHow hypertension affects the kidneys
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jan 27 2010
Q: How does hypertension cause chronic kidney failure?
A: Over time, uncontrolled blood pressure damages blood vessels. Diseased blood vessels are unable to deliver blood effectively to vital organs such as the kidneys. Without enough blood, tissue dies. When enough tissue is lost, the affected organ no longer can function at full capacity. As more tissue dies, function continues to decline. With intervention, loss of function can be stopped or slowed.
Tags: blood pressure, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood vessel, Blood vessels, chronic kidney failure, diseased blood vessels, hypertension, kidney failure, kidneys, Medical Conditions, vital organsKidney function and high blood pressure
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jan 12 2010
Q: At my last blood test my kidney function was 40 which concerned my doctor. She sent me to a nephrologist who said I needed a second blood pressure med to get it down since the high blood pressure was hurting the kidneys. My doctor is having me try the Resperate instead of the 2nd med and my blood pressure has already come down considerably over 3 weeks. Will I be able to raise my kidney function numbers by keeping it down, or will this just help stop the numbers from getting worse?
A: It is possible your kidney function will improve with control of your blood pressure. However, once your kidneys have been damaged, you should not expect function to return to completely normal.
Tags: Blood Pressure & Hypertension, high blood pressure, kidneys, Medical Conditions, nephrologist, normal kidney function, RESPeRATESudden loss of memory
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jan 12 2010
Q: I have been taking Sectral 200mg, Crestor 10mg, Asprin 81mg & Vitamin B12 for the last 15 years. Last Saturday, I was working in our garden for a few hours and rested for 30min and had a shower. After the shower, I seem to have lost my memory for about an hour or two. After that I was okay and I still do not remember what happened during that period. Is this a warning sign for stroke?
A: Make an appointment to see your doctor. Loss of memory is a serious event that needs evaluation. It can be a warning sign of a stroke or other serious medical problems.
Tags: crestor, crestor 10mg, loss of memory, Medical Conditions, sectral, sign of a stroke, vitamin b12, warning signPeripheral neuropathy
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 29 2009
Q: Can you tell me if there is a cure for peripheral neuropathy - or can you tell me who I can contact that may know the answer?
A: Peripheral neuropathy is the result of nerve damage to nerves located away from the spinal cord and brain. It can be caused by many things. Diabetes, physical injury, and infections are examples of medical problems that can cause a peripheral neuropathy. Treating the cause of the neuropathy does not always result in a cure but may help with some of the symptoms. You might want to ask your primary care physician to refer you to a neurologist. This type of physician specializes in treating problems of the nervous system. To read more about peripheral neuropathy, click here.
Tags: Diabetes, Diabetes, Medical Conditions, nerve damage, nervous system, neurologist, peripheral neuropathyMeds causing knee pain?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 02 2009
Q: I am 71yrs old and have been taking 3 kinds of tablets for high blood pressure and for cholesterol/diabetes. The tablets are: simvastatin 20mg/amlodipine 10mg tablets taken at nights and atenolol for day time. I am now beginning to feel severe pain on my knees. Do you think these tabs can cause such pain, and should I let my GP know, as I have not told him about it.
A: You should always alert your doctor about a new symptom. You have been taking your blood pressure medicine for some time but your knees just started hurting. Based on this and your age, it is likely your knee pain is from arthritis of aging, not your pills.
Tags: amlodipine, arthritis, Atenolol, blood pressure medicine, cholesterol, Diabetes, high blood pressure, knee pain, Medical Conditions, simvastatin, Taking BP MedsVaricose veins and high BP?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 02 2009
Q: Can varicose veins affect blood pressure?
A: Varicose veins are not thought to cause high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a disease of the arterial system. Varicose veins are the result of leaky valves in veins of the legs. For more information about types of varicose veins and available treatments, click here.
Tags: arterial system, cause high blood pressure, high blood pressure, leaky valves, Medical Conditions, types of varicose veinsThe role of Statins (medication)
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 19 2009
Q: Do Statins play a role in lowering blood pressure?
A: Statins are prescribed to lower blood fats. They help lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. Although they are not considered a treatment for high blood pressure, recent studies have shown they also lower blood pressure.
Tags: blood fats, heart attack, high blood pressure, lower blood pressure, lowering blood pressure, Medical Conditions, medication, Misc, statinsIs high cholesterol really a problem?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 03 2009
Q: All kinds of Cholesterol Pills give me side effects — muscle ache, bone ache, stomach ache, head ache, and my mind gets blurry. I have tried all and cooperate with the doctor, until I can no longer tolerate. From last year to August I did not take anything but I felt good. But the cholesterol went up. I read from Dr Whitaker, that the cholesterol thing is just a crazy non-founded phenomena since the liver produces the cholesterol and our body needs it. Is this true?
A: It is true your body makes cholesterol and cholesterol performs needed transport functions in the body. However, too much cholesterol is not good. High cholesterol levels increase the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Regular exercise and eating foods high in fiber can help lower your cholesterol. To learn more about cholesterol lowering lifestyle changes go to: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=523
Tags: cholesterol, cholesterol level, dr whitaker, heart attack, Heart Health, high cholesterol, lifestyle change, lifestyle changes, lower your cholesterol, Medical Conditions, side effects
