Can yoga cure bp?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Mar 02 2010
Q: Can yoga cure high BP without taking medicine?
A: Regular exercise, such as yoga, can help control blood pressure. Depending on how high the blood pressure, drugs may also be needed. Neither a regular exercise program nor medication is a cure for high blood pressure. Once you stop either one, high blood pressure will return.
Tags: Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood pressure drugs, bp, control blood pressure, Diet & Exercise, exercise program, high blood pressure, hypertension, medication, taking medicine, yogaDizziness from lisinopril-hctz
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Feb 10 2010
Q: I have been taking BP meds for 6 days and it makes me feel dizzy and lightheaded. The doctor said my body needs to get used to it and sometimes it takes a while. Is this normal? I take lisinopril-hctz 10-12.5 MG, he told me to take half of this to see if that helped the problem.
A: It sounds like your blood pressure medicine is working. Dizziness, especially when you stand up suddenly, is a common side effect of blood pressure drugs. It also may mean your blood pressure has been lowered too much. This is why your doctor wants to see how you do on a lower dose.
Tags: blood pressure, blood pressure drug, blood pressure drugs, blood pressure medicine, bp, Dizziness, dizzy, hctz, hypertension, Lisinopril, medicine, side effect, Taking BP MedsMedication changes while on RESPeRATE?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jan 27 2010
Q: If using Resperate lowers the blood pressure of one of your patients, would you approve that patient to discontinue taking BP medication while on Resperate?
A: Using RESPeRATE alone to control blood pressure is a possibility. Many factors need to be considered by a doctor prior to attempting to wean a patient off blood pressure drugs. A person with mild hypertension and no other health problems being treated with a low dose diuretic would be the best candidate. Don’t stop taking medicine on your own. Talk to your doctor.
Tags: blood pressure, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood pressure drug, blood pressure drugs, control blood pressure, diuretic, hypertension, medication changes, mild hypertension, RESPeRATE, Taking BP Meds, taking medicineInsomnia, Tylenol PM and meds
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 02 2009
Q: Since the doctors put me on HBP medication I have had Insomnia which has continued to get worse. This insomnia causes depression which sometimes leads to suicide thoughts. I have tried everything which works sometimes. Recently I began taking 2 Tylenol PM with my herbs. Will Tylenol PM interact with my blood pressure medicine Diltiazem and Beta Blocker?
A: Although interaction with Tylenol PM is not a problem with your blood pressure drugs, you also mention taking herbs. Your herbs certainly could be interacting with your blood pressure medicines. Alert your doctor to your supplements. Also, you should discuss both your insomnia and depression. Tylenol PM was not meant to be taken every night. For a list of warnings about Tylenolol PM click here.
Tags: beta blocker, blood pressure drugs, blood pressure medicine, depression, diltiazem, herbs, Sleep & Sleep Apnea, Supplements, Supplements, Taking BP Meds, Tylenol, tylenol pmStopping BP medication
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 02 2009
Q: I am on 50 mg Tenormin for HBP. How long do you think I should use Resperate before I could stop the tablet? Tenormin leaflet says that the tablet should not be stopped immediately, but reduce strength over a period of time before stopping. Why? I have used Resperate for one month now.
A: Your doctor needs to be consulted prior to stopping any blood pressure medication. Abrupt stopping of certain blood pressure drugs can cause blood pressure to sky rocket. This reaction is known as rebound hypertension and can be life threatening. It is generally recommended that your doctor re-assess your hypertension treatment after using RESPeRATE regularly for about 8 weeks.
Tags: blood pressure drugs, blood pressure medication, bp, hypertension, hypertension treatment, rebound hypertension, RESPeRATE, Taking BP Meds, TenorminAntacids and blood pressure medication
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 19 2009
Q: Can you take an antacid such as prevacol while taking blood pressure medicine?
A: Prevachol is a cholesterol lowering drug, not an antacid. Prevacid is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), not an antacid. Antacids neutralize stomach acids while a PPI blocks their release. Prevacid does not interact with most blood pressure drugs. Recommended amounts of antacids, such as Tums or Rolaids, usually aren’t a problem with blood pressure medication. It is best to double-check with your pharmacist or doctor about an interaction with your specific drugs.
Tags: antacid, antacids, blood pressure drugs, blood pressure medication, cholesterol lowering drug, interaction, Medication Interactions, prevachol, prevacid, prevacol, proton pump inhibitor, rolaids, stomach acids, tumsSide 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 MedsHigh blood pressure and surgery
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: May 21 2009
Q: I am having an operation in a fortnight [2 weeks] and although my BP was a bit high at pre-op tests, it has been checked since and is now 150/105. Is there any way I can help to get this down in time for the operation?
A: Blood pressure drugs can bring blood pressure down quickly. For most people, lifestyle changes usually take more than two weeks to make an impact. When one is undergoing surgery, it may be best to hold off treatment until after surgery because of the interactions between certain blood pressure drugs and anesthesia. You should discuss this further with your doctor, surgeon and anesthetist.
Tags: Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood pressure drugs, high blood pressure, lifestyle changes, Misc, surgerySensitivites to BP meds
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Mar 23 2009
Q: What combination of BP meds do you recommend for African-American women who are sensitive to BP meds, yet do not respond well to them? I had to stop Lisinopril because it made me cough, BP remained hign on HCTZ and Atenolol, Norvasc worked for a short time, also have pitting edema from my calves to my ankles.
A: Your drug sensitivities make you more difficult to treat. If you are not already seeing a physician who specializes in the treatment of high blood pressure, you should ask your doctor for a referral. Another consideration to help you obtain better control would be use of the RESPeRATE. It has no side effects and does not interact with any blood pressure drugs.
Tags: african american women, Atenolol, blood pressure drugs, hctz, Lisinopril, Norvasc, pitting edema, RESPeRATE, Taking BP Meds, treatment of high blood pressureSkipping blood pressure medication
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Mar 17 2009
Q: My husband is taking high blood pressure pills and should take one every day. Lately, because his blood pressure seems good he waits two to three days before taking another pill. I keep telling him he should take it consistently the way prescribed and that he could be doing harm taking it and then not taking it. I would appreciate your input.
A: You are absolutely correct. Your husband should take his medicine as prescribed. It can be dangerous to suddenly stop taking blood pressure drugs, even if only for a few days. He should ask his doctor the safe way to lower his medication if a lower dose is now appropriate.
Tags: blood pressure drugs, blood pressure medication, high blood pressure, Taking BP Meds
