Frustrated 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 intakeIs 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 effectsVitamins for BP and Cholesterol
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jul 29 2009
Q: What vitamins can be used for high blood pressure and cholesterol?
A: Niacin, also known as vitamin B3 has been shown to be helpful in lowering cholesterol. Recent research suggests that Vitamin C may help with blood pressure. Since both these vitamins are found in many fresh fruits and vegetables, it makes more sense to eat healthily rather than to rely on supplements.
Tags: bp, cholesterol, Diet & Exercise, fresh fruits and vegetables, high blood pressure, niacin, Supplements, Supplements, vitamin b3, vitamin c, vitaminsWere meds appropriately prescribed?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Feb 10 2009
Q: I’m a very healthy, slim 51 year old female. My Dr just put me on 20 mg of Lisinopril and 10 mg of Zocor because my BP is between 124/77-131/81 and cholesterol is 208. I don’t think numbers like this qualify me to be on this type of serious medication but I agreed to try the meds for a month. I’ve been taking them at night for the past 4 days and I’m nauseated and very dizzy when I stand. I made an appointment with a Cardiologist for a second opinion. What is your take on this?
A: Getting a second opinion is a reasonable approach. Based on the information you have given me, it does not appear that your doctor is following nationally recognized treatment guidelines for high blood pressure (click here). However, your doctor may have felt there are other reasons to consider treatment at this point, such as diabetes, that perhaps you failed to mention.
Tags: cholesterol, Heart Health, high blood pressure, hypertension, Lisinopril, medication, meds, treatment guidelines, ZocorHealthy cholesterol levels
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 03 2008
Q: All of the info I read about cholesterol says it should be below 200. However, my navy flight surgeon from years ago who is now an alternative medicine doctor, says at my age (73), it should be 220, which it has been for years. He also says to stay away from aspirin and statins which I am taking. What do you think?
A: In a healthy adult, a total cholesterol level of less than 200 is considered good. Lower levels are recommended for people with certain diseases. For a more complete discussion on cholesterol levels click here. Whether or not you should take aspirin or statins depends on your overall health status and your risk for heart disease. This is a decision that should be made in consultation with your primary care physician.
Tags: aspirin, cholesterol, heart disease, statinsCholesterol medicine
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 07 2008
Q: I had a stroke last year due to high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I am on metoprolol 50 mg, lisinoril 40 mg twice a day, hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg once a day and lipitor 80 mg at bedtime. I cannot afford the lipitor and there is no generic. Is there any presciption medicine that can substitute for the lipitor?
A: There are other cholesterol lowering drugs available such as Zocor, Zetia and Pravachol. Although they lower cholesterol, they are not identical to Lipitor. If your doctor feels that Lipitor is the best drug for you, drug assistance programs are available from pharmaceutical companies and other organizations. Go to http://www.rxassist.org to check on what programs are available in your area and for eligibility requirements.
Tags: cholesterol, hydrochlorothiazide, lipitor, lisinoril, metoprolol, Pravachol, Taking BP Meds, Zetia, Zocor
