Isolated systolic hypertension and aging
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Mar 03 2009
Q: I am 88 years old and in very good health. The only medication I take is the awful one for high blood pressure. My blood pressure reading is in the area of the l60’s for systolic and in the 50’s for diastolic. What do you think?
A: As a normal part of aging, systolic pressure goes up and diastolic pressure goes down. We now know that systolic hypertension, when only the top number is elevated, is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke and should be treated. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is not a concern unless it causes symptoms such as dizziness or fainting.
Tags: heart disease, high blood pressure, hypertension, hypotension, Isolated Hypertension, isolated systolic hypertension, low blood pressure, systolicHeart rate and heart disease
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Feb 16 2009
Q: I just read the study about the resting heart rate in women being a determining factor in heart disease. I have a high resting heart rate. I am exercising a lot these days but am still overweight. Aside from exercise and good diet, what other methods help to lower the resting heart rate?
A: A high resting heart rate is a risk factor for heart disease in both sexes. Average resting heart rate is 70 beats per minute in men and 75 beats per minute in women. Ways to lower your heart rate include regular exercise, maintaining a normal weight, and controlling stress and anxiety. Keep in mind that all exercise isn’t the same. To help protect your heart, it is important to reach your target heart rate during exercise. For a website showing target heart rates for women click here.
Tags: heart disease, Heart Health, resting heart rate, risk factor, target heart rateHealthy 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, statinsWhat should my cholesterol level be?
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: alternative medicine, cholesterol level, diseases, health status, heart disease, Heart HealthTreating diabetes with and without high blood pressure.
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 25 2008
Q: Is there a difference between treating someone with diabetes that has high blood pressure and one that only has high blood pressure?
A: High blood pressure is one disease and diabetes is another. Together they put an individual at even greater risk for heart disease and stroke. The principles of treatment remain the same but different medications may be used to treat hypertensive diabetics to help prevent kidney disease. The addition of RESPeRATE to prescribed medications can help obtain better blood pressure control in both diabetics and non-diabetics. A new study showing the effectiveness of RESPeRATE in lowering blood pressure in Type 2 diabetes was recently published in the Journal of Human Hypertension (MH Schein et al, advance online publication, November 13, 2008).
Tags: blood pressure control, Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, lowering blood pressure, RESPeRATE, type 2 diabetesI’m on blood pressure medication and I am experiencing side effects, what should I do?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 25 2008
Q: I am a 42 year old female with high blood pressure. I’m currently taking Bisoprolol 5 mg. My concern is that I often feel palpitations, chest pressure, and a “burning” feeling on both sides of my neck and pressure at the back of my head. What do you think?
A: You need to see your doctor immediately. Chest pressure and palpitations are serious symptoms that should not be ignored. Heart disease is often missed in women because symptoms can be different than those associated with heart disease in men.
Tags: blood pressure medication, heart disease, high blood pressure, Medical Conditions, medicationWhat is considered low blood pressure?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Oct 02 2008
Q: My husband had a four way (quadruple) heart bypass operation six months ago. His blood pressure the last couple of days is around 83 over 57, pulse is 73. Is his blood pressure too low?
A: As long as your husband is not having problems with dizziness, light headedness, feeling faint, or chest pain, his blood pressure is okay. It is likely he is on medications because of his heart disease that are keeping his blood pressure in this range.
Tags: heart disease, low blood pressure, Medical Conditions, medicationsFatigue and high blood pressure
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Aug 14 2008
Q: I am 70 years old, my BP is 125/67 and I feel tired all the time (no energy at all). However, the cardiologist said nothing is wrong. What could it be?
A: Keep in mind that poor sleeping is one of the most common causes of fatigue. Heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death. One of the warning symptoms of cancer is fatigue. You should make any appointment with your primary care doctor for an evaluation.
Tags: Blood Pressure & Hypertension, cancer, cardiologist, energy, exhaustion, fatigue, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleeping, symptoms, warningReverse white-coat hypertension
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Feb 11 2008
Q: Can you have “white-coat” hypertension in reverse (high at home and low at the doctor’s office)?
A: This kind of situation is often referred to as masked hypertension. It is seen more commonly in people with other risks for heart disease such as obesity and high blood fats. Also, masked hypertension is more common in females. It is important to let your doctor know about your elevated readings. In addition, to insure accuracy, make sure you take your pressure about the same time of day and use proper positioning.
Tags: Blood Pressure & Hypertension, heart disease, high blood fats, high blood pressure, masked hypertension, obesity, reverse white coat hypertension, white coat hypertensionI have pain near my breasts and lower chest, could this be high blood pressure?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jul 17 2007
Q: I have chest pain near my breasts and some times at the lower part of my chest. Could it be high blood pressure?
A: Chest pain needs to be evaluated by a physician. Your chest pain could be related to heart disease so don’t delay in seeking attention. Typically high blood pressure does not produce symptoms and goes undiagnosed until a heart attack or stroke happens. This is why hypertension is known as the “silent killer.”
Tags: heart disease, high blood pressure, hypertension, Medical Conditions, stroke
