The need to take meds regularly
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jul 29 2009
Q: There are days that my BP is at the 160/100 level in a.m. and then 140/90 the rest of the day and other days at 120/80 all day long without any medication. When I take 1/4 of the pill Atacand 16mg, BP comes down to normal (120/80). But then the next day or after a few days the BP is normal (125/80) and I do not know if I should continue to take the pill. These fluctuations confuse me and I do not know what to do. In the last year I have lost 35 lbs from 250 to 215 lbs.
A: You should take your blood pressure medicine as prescribed. When taken on a regular basis, a constant blood level of a drug develops. This prevents peaks and dips of the drug in your body and leads to better control of blood pressure. Because of your excellent weight loss, your doctor might want to adjust your medication. Make an appointment if you haven’t been seen recently.
Tags: atacand, blood level, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood pressure medicine, bp, fluctuations, medication, Taking BP Meds, weight lossHigh blood pressure postpartum
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jul 06 2009
Q: My BP elevated a couple weeks before delivering my baby. It has been a month after having my baby and my BP has remained elevated. Can you possibly tell me why my BP is still elevated? What can I do to lower it?
A: Blood pressure sometimes elevates with pregnancy. It does not always return to normal after delivery. Even if it does, the risk of developing high blood pressure later in life is increased. You need to see your doctor for appropriate treatment advice. If you gained a lot of weight with your pregnancy, it is possible your pressure will get back in control with exercise and weight loss.
Tags: Blood Pressure & Hypertension, high blood pressure, hypertension, postpartum, pregnancy, Pregnancy & Menopause, weight lossGlycemic index of foods
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Apr 19 2007
Q: How does weight figure in to high blood pressure? Where can I get info on glycemic index in various foods?
A: Being overweight is a risk factor for the development of high blood pressure. Losing weight can return blood pressure to normal. The University of Sydney provides a searchable database of the glycemic index of foods here.
Tags: blood pressure, Diet & Exercise, glycemic, glycemic index, high blood pressure, overweight, weight loss
