Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jan 29 2009

Q: I am 27 years old, 5′9″ and weigh 158lbs. I recently have been having my blood pressure taken and it is always around the range of 88/58. Is this bad? What should I do?

A: Based on the information provided, you appear healthy. Both your blood pressure and weight are good. If you are eating properly and have a regular exercise program, you are doing the right things to maintain your health. For a list of appropriate medical screenings for your age, click here.

Can 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.

What is the initial therapy for someone who has been diagnosed with high blood pressure?

Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Sep 26 2007

Q: When prescribing BP meds to patients for the first time, is there a particular drug that a doctor should start out with first and then work up to other categories if the medications are not working?

A: To quote the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaulation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, “Thiazide-type diuretics should be used as initial therapy for most patients with hypertension, either alone or in combination.”