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, terazosinTreating 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, treatmentSkipping meds, weight gain and smoking
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Oct 08 2009
Q: I am presently taking BP pills (amlodipine 5mg 1x a day). Can I get the same results if I take them every other day due to cost? My bp is not always high although in the past it has been 120/210. To this date I have quit smoking, but now I eat more and have gained more weight. I do exercise at least 3-4 times a week. Does bp medicine make you gain weight?
A: You should always take your blood pressure medicine as it is prescribed. Skipping doses is not smart. If you can’t afford your medicine, talk to your doctor. Perhaps a less expensive drug can be used. Also, drug companies offer assistance programs for people who can’t afford necessary drugs. Most people who quit smoking report weight gain. Your weight gain is most likely related to your smoking cessation, not your blood pressure medication.
Tags: amlodipine, assistance programs, blood pressure medication, bp, gain weight, quit smoking, Smoking, smoking cessation, Taking BP Meds, weight gainCauses of ED (Erectile Dysfunction)
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Oct 08 2009
Q: Is ED [Erectile Dysfunction] caused from Hypertension or from the medication to control it?
A: Some high blood pressure medicines can cause sexual dysfunction. Talk to your doctor about your problem. If your erectile dysfunction began when you started taking medicine for high blood pressure, it could be drug related. Keep in mind, disease in the blood vessels to the penis is a frequent cause of erectile dysfunction. Untreated high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels of the penis.
Tags: Blood vessels, causes of ed, Erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, hypertension, Sex, sexual dysfunction, Taking BP Meds, taking medicineLeg numbness when running
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Oct 08 2009
Q: I’m 64 years old, a long time runner and fit. My BP tends to elevate only under stress. I’m taking 40 mg per day (one tablet) of Lotensin. I experience “heavy legs” and aches when running. I also have numbness in my toes. Could the medication be causing these symptoms?
A: You need to see your doctor. The source of your problems may be that your legs don’t get enough blood when you are running. This should be evaluated.
Tags: bp, heavy legs, leg numbness, Lotensin, Medical Conditions, Taking BP MedsHesitant to treat drug side effect with drug
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Sep 23 2009
Q: I have young onset Parkinson’s disease and went from having problems with low bp to problems with high bp. Through trial and error we figured out that one of the meds I take is causing the high bp (wellbutrin, but nothing else works). My Dr wants to treat it with bp meds, but I am hesitant to add any other meds to treat a side effect. My bp is 135/95 average for 4 months now. When is bp high enough to need to treat and if it is caused by meds do you have to treat it or are there any other options available?
A: Your blood pressure is at a level where it needs to be treated. Since you are not interested in taking more medication, you should talk to your doctor about a trial with the RESPeRATE. It has been clinically proven to lower blood pressure without side effects.
Tags: bp, hypertension, lower blood pressure, Medical Conditions, medication, Parkinsons disease, RESPeRATE, Taking BP Meds, wellbutrinACE inhibitor and kidney function
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Sep 23 2009
Q: I just had my blood screening and my potassium is 5.2 mmol/l. It exceeds the normal range 3.5-5.0 mmol/l. My doctor prescribed Perindopril Erbumine 4 mg/per day for me. Does the increased potassium in my blood affect my kidneys?
A: The drug you are on is used to treat high blood pressure. It is in the category known as an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. The drug can cause an increase in blood potassium levels and hurt the kidneys. Since your doctor is checking your blood levels, it is likely your kidney function is being closely monitored. You should discuss this further with your doctor.
Tags: ace inhibitor, angiotensin converting enzyme, blood potassium levels, high blood pressure, kidney function, kidneys, perindopril, Perindopril Erbumine, potassium, Taking BP MedsBeta blockers effect on heart rate
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Sep 15 2009
Q: I am on atenolol since 2006. I weighed 108 but now I weigh 138. When I tried to exercise I noticed I cannot get my heart rate up no matter what. Is that because of the slowing of the heart from beta blockers? How can I get past that?
A: Your beta blocker is preventing your heart rate from increasing. Exercising too hard in an attempt to get your heart rate up could be dangerous. Instead of focusing on your heart rate, pay attention to how much effort you feel you are exerting when you exercise. If you are wiped out after you exercise, you would be wise to cut back.
Tags: Atenolol, beta blocker, beta blockers, Diet & Exercise, exercise, heart rate, Taking BP MedsSide effects of antihypertensive medication
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Aug 28 2009
Q: I’m looking for a high blood pressure medicine that doesn’t have side effects of coughing or swelling of the feet. Do you know of any?
A: Diuretics are a commonly used type of blood pressure medication that aren’t known for causing swelling or cough. However, sometimes a diuretic is not enough to control blood pressure and other drugs are needed. You should discuss your side effects with your doctor. For a listing of blood pressure drugs and their common side effects, click here.
Tags: blood pressure drugs, blood pressure medication, blood pressure medicine, control blood pressure, diuretic, diuretics, high blood pressure, swelling of the feet, Taking BP MedsDrug assistance programs
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Aug 27 2009
Q: How can I keep my blood pressure down without the use of meds? I plan on talking to my doctor about Resperate however my money is limited at this moment. I have been taking lisinopril and until I can get to my doctor I need a way to keep my blood pressure low without the use of meds. Basically I cannot afford the doc to continue my meds.
A: Call your doctor. Most doctors will work with you to find a drug you can afford, provide you with samples, and/or put you in touch with drug assistance programs. On the web go to: http://www.pparx.org/
Tags: blood pressure, drug assistance programs, Lisinopril, medication, meds, Misc, money, RESPeRATE, Taking BP Meds
