Causes 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 medicineUntreated hypertension and eye swelling
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Sep 23 2009
Q: I had untreated hypertension that caused swelling in the blood vessels leading to the optic nerve in my right eye. This has caused gray areas in my field of vision. A neuro ophthalmologist put me on steroids 60mg/per day for three weeks. The blood pressure is well under control now. In your opinion is there a chance that my vision may improve?
A: Yes, there is a chance your vision may improve. Hopefully the steroids will decrease the swelling and the injured eye cells will be able to recover. Recovery can be slow so be patient and carefully follow your doctors’ instructions.
Tags: blood pressure, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, Blood vessels, eye cells, eye swelling, Medical Conditions, untreated hypertensionSystolic, diastolic BP and aging
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jul 06 2009
Q: My blood pressure is often 145/77. Is the systolic less worrisome than diastolic? My age is 61, and I am told that my borderline HBP has developed with age due to my genetics. If my blood pressure is caused by my blood vessels constricting, why didn’t it happen before, when I was younger?
A: Everyone ages differently based on life style, genetics, and other factors. As part of the aging process, blood vessels get less flexible, just like other parts of your body. This stiffness can lead to high blood pressure. High systolic pressure has been shown to increase the likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke. It is just as worrisome as high diastolic pressure.
Tags: aging process, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, Blood vessels, high blood pressure, high diastolic pressure, high systolic pressureHot tubs and blood pressure
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: May 11 2009
Q: Will going in a hot tub lower your blood pressure or raise it?
A: Most people will experience a lowering of blood pressure because the high temperature of the water causes blood vessels to relax and dilate. To read what the American Heart Association has to say about hot tubs and high blood pressure click here.
Tags: american heart association, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, Blood vessels, high temperature, hot tub, MiscIs there a connection between high blood pressure and hypothyroidism?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Feb 19 2008
Q: Is there any connection between hypothyroid and blood pressure?
A: Yes, thyroid hormones affect the way the heart works. Untreated hypothyroidism can make the heart beat slower, pump less efficiently, and can make blood vessels more rigid. These effects can cause high blood pressure.
Tags: Blood vessels, heart, high blood pressure, hypothyroid, Medical ConditionsUncontrolled high blood pressure
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Feb 04 2008
Q: How does having long term high blood pressure affect the eyes?
A: Long term uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the eyes and lead to loss of vision. With good control of blood pressure, some of the damage may not be permanent. To learn more about this, click here.
Tags: Blood Pressure & Hypertension, Blood vessels, eyes, hypertension, long term uncontrolled high blood pressure, loss of visionCan labile blood pressure clog blood vessels?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 10 2007
Q: Could large deposits in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery be caused by my very labile BP and can it be reversed?
A: High blood pressure likely damages walls of blood vessels and makes them less elastic and prone to getting deposits. Studies have shown that aggressively lowering blood fat levels can lead to some reversal and prevention of disease progression. Talk to your cardiologist about the best treatment for you.
Tags: arteries, blood fat levels, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, Blood vessels, cardiologist, cardiovascular, labile, labile blood pressure, preventionWhat causes isolated hypertension?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Sep 21 2007
Q: What causes isolated systolic (top number) hypertension?
A: The cause of most hypertension is not known. When a cause is identifiable, it is known as secondary hypertension. Isolated systolic hypertension is the most common type of hypertension in older people. Genetics, life style, and just getting older are factors. Blood vessels, like joints, tend to get stiffer as we age.
Tags: Blood vessels, Genetics, Isolated Hypertension, isolated systolicCan high blood pressure cause an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Apr 13 2007
Q: I had low BP until extreme stress created high BP. Is it possible that high BP could have created an Abdominal Aortic aneurysm that was treated using a Stent?
A: High blood pressure is known as the silent killer because damage is done to blood vessels often before a person is aware they have a problem. Left untreated, high blood pressure can cause arteriosclerosis and aneurysms.
Tags: Blood vessels, bp, extreme stress, high blood pressure, Medical Conditions, silent killerDoes quitting smoking lower blood pressure?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Mar 07 2007
Q: Does quitting smoking lower blood pressure?
A: Smoking does not cause high blood pressure so quitting doesn’t affect your blood pressure. The nicotine in tobacco products causes blood vessels to constrict and will temporarily increase your blood pressure. The metabolism of nicotine is relatively short but varies from individual to individual based on age, gender, race, and food intake. Taking your blood pressure about two hours after smoking will probably show your normal levels. However, smoking increases your risk for heart disease, a leading cause of death. The risk of having a heart attack is reduced after one year of not smoking.
Tags: Blood vessels, heart attack, heart disease, high blood pressure, leading cause of death, Smoking, tobacco products
