Comment from: Rick J, 65-74 Male (Patient)Published: April 28
I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, but rather than go on medication, I wanted to see first if there was something I could do without medication that would significantly lower my blood pressure. So I, removed as much salt from my diet as possible, ate fresh fruits and vegetables, and entered into a rigorous exercise program every day that gets my heart pumping.
Following what I have described above, I was able to do this. I went from blood pressure levels of over 150/90 down to 120/80 within a short period of time. By keeping to this routine, I have been able to keep my blood pressure at around 120/80. I am a 72-year-old male. For exercise, I do body building in my own home gym for up to one hour a day. My meals are simple, as mentioned above, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables without adornments. I drink a lot of water, three cups of tea and one cup of cocoa a day (with skimmed milk). I believe it is entirely possible to control your blood pressure this way WITHOUT medication. I am retired now but worked in the motor vehicle trade during my working life. Since I have had time to investigate and experiment with my diet, I have reached this conclusion.
Comment from: SHYeoh, 55-64 Female (Patient)Published: March 31
My blood pressure was 150/90 in 2004. I was initially prescribed 50 mg of atenolol. After a year, my blood pressure was still around 150/90 and the doctor suggested increasing the dose to 100 mg. At 100 mg of atenolol, my blood pressure was around 145/90, and I lived with this for the next four years. I consulted another doctor in 2009, and he put me on 5 mg of amlodipine and 50 mg of atenolol. My blood pressure dipped to 125/82!
I have always been physically active and careful with my diet, and I wondered why my blood pressure could not be lowered. Finally, I was prescribed the correct cocktail.
How do I feel? As if something has been lifted off my chest!
Comment from: Neverending, 55-64 Female (Patient)Published: February 13
I've had hypertension since I was 35, and now I'm 56. In all these years, I've been on 14 different medications with little success in lowering my blood pressure. I've had numerous tests to find out why I am like this but no red flags. I have lived and still live a very stressful life and suffer with generalized anxiety disorder, which I keep telling my doctor is the reason my blood pressure can't be controlled. He now wants me to take Coreg, which will make five medications that he wants me on. I think that throwing pills at the problem is not the answer. How easy to pull out that old prescription pad and never get to the root of the problem. I have taken matters into my own hands and see a psychologist to help me deal with my stress. Hopefully, I will get a handle on my anxiety and my blood pressure. I am not overweight and actually have lost 12 pounds in the past year. I don't smoke or drink, but I am fearful of getting very active due to the anxiety. Life is such a downer anymore.
Comment from: papolishgal, 75 or over Female (Patient)Published: December 12
After taking lisinopril for a few years it started to make tongue or lips swell periodically. Spirolactone gave me muscle spasms. Amlodepine gave me edema and ankle pain. I have been on atenolol 25 mg, for about 29 years and it has not been increased to l in morning and 2 at night. This is giving me an more than an irregular heartbeat which I already had. At night I wake up and pressure is like around 150 and up over 90 and sometime 100. During day seems to be around 139 over 85 or so. I am diabetic. So what medication do I take.
Comment from: Javier A., 55-64 Male (Patient)Published: July 19
I have been taking Cozaar for two years. My blood pressure was 160/90. I think the sudden increase was directly related to the stress and sorrow of losing a Grandson. I am 64 years old. I have modified my lifestyle. I have lost 15 pounds, and I exercise at least three days a week. Now, my blood pressure has normalized to 130/80 on average for the last year.
Comment from: deg, 55-64 Female (Patient)Published: February 09
I never can go to the doctor with not having higher than normal, last year it was 150-90, and I was having a bad day, last year check was 139-85, and then I went back and almost six months later, going to the emergency room twice. I still don't like the medicine I'm on. I think it is medicine #5 and I think doctors think you should deal with side effects. The emergency room put me on triamterene-htc 37.5-25 this stuff even has a side effect , but it is much easier to live with then rashes and tingling in hands and cold and hot ears ringing, and itching is the worst. My doctor was mad because I quit going to a specialist on this, because I ended up in the emergency room, and the doctor wouldn't call me and after 3 and a half weeks my blood pressure and breathing went nuts and I didn't go back. I just switched doctors because mine didn't want to treat me for this, but she's the one that started this. I really feel like some doctors really don't care they just get you hooked on it.
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Suggested Reading on High Blood Pressure Treatment by Our Doctors
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart's function as a pump is inadequate to meet the body's needs. A poor blood supply resulting from congestive heart failure may cause the body's organ systems to fail, leading to a weakened heart muscle and fluid accumulation in the lungs and body tissue. There are many diseases that can impair pumping efficiency and symptoms of congestive heart failure including fatigue, diminished exercise capacity, shortness of breath, and swelling. Treatments include lifestyle modifications, medications, heart transplant, and therapy.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a repeatedly
elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg -- a systolic pressure above
140 with a diastolic pressure above 90. There are two causes of high blood pressure, primary and secondary. Primary high blood pressure is much more common that secondary and its basic causes or underlying defects are not always known. It is known that a diet high in salt increases the risk for high blood pressure, as well as high cholesterol. Genetic factors are also a primary cause. Secondary high blood pressure is generally caused by another condition such as renal hypertension, tumors, and other conditions. Treatment for high blood pressure is generally lifestyle changes and if necessary, diet.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
A stroke results from impaired oxygen delivery to brain cells via the bloodstream. A stroke is also referred to as a CVA, or cerebrovascular incident. Symptoms of stroke include: sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance, and/or sudden severe headache with no known cause. A TIA, or transient ischemic attack is a short-lived temporary impairment of the brain caused by loss of blood supply. Stroke is a medical emergency.
Heart attack happens when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary
artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. A heart attack can cause chest pain, heart failure, and electrical
instability of the heart.
Brain aneurysm (cerebral aneurysm) is caused by microscopic damage to artery walls, infections of the artery walls, tumors, trauma, drug abuse. Symptoms include headache, numbness of the face, dilated pupils, changes in vision, the "worst headache of your life," or a painful stiff neck. Immediate treatment for a brain aneurysm is crucial for patient survival.
Pulmonary hypertension is an abnormal elevation of the pressure in the pulmonary circulation caused by the constriction of the blood vessels that supply blood to the lungs. Shortness of breath and dizziness are symptoms of pulmonary hypertension. Treatment involves diuretics, blood thinners, calcium channel blockers, and using supplemental oxygen to increase blood oxygen levels.
Obesity is the state of being well above one's normal weight. A person has traditionally been
considered to be obese if they are more than 20 percent over their ideal weight.
That ideal weight must take into account the person's height, age, sex, and
build.
Preeclampsia is related to increased blood pressure and protein in the mother's urine. Preeclampsia typically begins after the 20th week of pregnancy. When preeclampsia causes seizures, it is termed "eclampsia" and is the second leading cause of maternal death of in the US. Preeclampsia is the leading cause of fetal complications. Risk factors for preeclampsia include high blood pressure, obesity, multiple births, and women with preexisting medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma. Pregnancy planning and lifestyle changes may reduce the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy.
Renal artery stenosis is a narrowing of the diameter of the renal arteries. When the renal arteries narrow, the result is restricted blood flow to the kidneys, which may lead to impaired kidney function and high blood pressure (referred to as renovascular hypertension (RVHT). Renal artery stenosis can occur in one or both kidneys. The primary cause of renal artery stenosis is atherosclerosis. Risk factors for renal artery stenosis include high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, age, cigarette smoking, and diabetes. Symptoms of renal artery stenosis include high blood pressure that does not respond to treatment, severe high blood pressure in individuals younger than 30 or greater than 50 years of age. Renal artery stenosis is diagnosed with imaging and functional tests. Treatment for renal artery stenosis include medication or surgery.
Preeclampsia is a condition in pregnant women marked by high blood pressure and a high level of protein in the urine. Eclampsia occurs when preeclampsia goes untreated. Eclampsia can cause coma and death of the mother and baby. Preeclampsia symptoms include rapid weight gain, abdominal pain, headaches, blood in the urine, dizziness, and excessive vomiting and nausea. The only real cure for preeclampsia and eclampsia is the birth of the baby.
Fatigue can be described in various ways. Sometimes fatigue is described as feeling a lack of energy and motivation (both mental and physical). The causes of fatigue are generally related to a variety of conditions or diseases for example, anemia, mono, medications, sleep problems, cancer, anxiety, heart disease, drug abuse, and more. Treatment of fatigue is generally directed toward the condition or disease that is causing the fatigue.
Heart failure is caused by many conditions including coronary artery disease, heart attack, cardiomyopathy, and conditions that overwork the heart. Symptoms of heart failure include congested lungs, fluid and water retention, dizziness, fatigue and weakness, and rapid or irregular heartbeats.
Heart disease, particularly coronary artery disease is the leading cause of heart attacks. Women are more likely to die from a heart attack than men. High cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and high triglycerides are contributors to heart disease. Some of the common symptoms of a heart attack in women include chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, feeling faint or woozy, and more. Heart disease can be prevented by lifestyle changes and controlling high blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and diseases such as diabetes.
The risks for developing type 2 diabetes include family history, ethnicity, birth weight, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Warning signs pointing to an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes include irregular menstruation, impaired fasting glucose, inflammatory markers, and other risks. Gestational diabetes is also a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Prevention of type 2 diabetes can be achieved through a healthy diet (Mediterranean diet), exercise, weight control, not smoking, and medication.
In the United States diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure. High blood pressure and high levels of blood glucose increase the risk that a person with diabetes will eventually progress to kidney failure. Kidney disease in people with diabetes develops over the course of many years. albumin and eGFR are two key markers for kidney disease in people with diabetes. Controlling high blood pressure, blood pressure medications, a moderate protein diet, and compliant management of blood glucose can slow the progression of kidney disease. For those patients who's kidneys eventually fail, dialysis or kidney transplantation is the only option.
Biologic rhythms, or biorhythms, are how our bodies respond to the regular phases of the sun, moon, and seasons. A medical chronobiologist studies how the "body clock" or biorhythms affect diseases and how the body clock responds to treatment of diseases and conditions at different times of the day.
Heart attacks are the major causes of unexpected, sudden death among men and women. A heart attack is also a significant cause of heart failure. Learn the risk factors for heart attack such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and other heart conditions. Lowering your risk factor, lifestyle changes, and in some cases medication are the most effective way of preventing a heart attack.
Taking prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs or supplements should be discussed with your doctor. There are some medications that have been found to cause no problems in pregnancy, however, medications such as Accutane for acne, should never be taken during pregnancy.
Stroke is the third leading killer in the United States. Some of the warning signs of stroke include sudden confusion, trouble seeing with one or both eyes, dizziness, loss of balance, and more. Stroke prevention and reatable risk factors for stroke include lowering high blood pressure, quit smoking, heart disease, diabetes control and prevention.
Disease prevention in women includes screening tests that are a basic part of prevention medicine. All screening tests
are commonly available through your general doctor. Some specialized tests may be available elsewhere.
Smoking increases the risk of heart disease in women and men. Nicotine in cigarettes decrease oxygen to the heart, increases blood pressure, blood clots, and damages coronary arteries. Learn how to quit smoking today, to prolong your life.
A heart attack (also known as a myocardial infarction) is the death of heart muscle from the sudden blockage of a coronary artery by a blood clot. Coronary arteries are blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood and oxygen. Blockage of a coronary artery deprives the heart muscle of blood and oxygen,causing injury to the heart muscle. Injury to the heart muscle causes chest pain
and chest pressure sensation. If blood flow is not restored to the heart muscle within 20 to 40 minutes, irreversible death of the heart muscle will begin to occur. Muscle continues to
die for six to eight hours at which time the heart attack usually is "complete." The dead heart muscle is eventually replaced by scar tissue.
Approximately one million Americans suffer a heart attack each year. Four hundred thousand of them die as a result of their heart attack.
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
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I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, but rather than go on medication, I wanted to see first if there was something I could do without medication that would significantly lower my blood pressure. So I, removed as much salt from my diet as possible, ate fresh fruits and vegetables, and entered into a rigorous exercise program every day that gets my heart pumping. Following what I have described above, I was able to do this. I went from blood pressure levels of over 150/90 down to 120/80 within a short period of time. By keeping to this routine, I have been able to keep my blood pressure at around 120/80. I am a 72-year-old male. For exercise, I do body building in my own home gym for up to one hour a day. My meals are simple, as mentioned above, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables without adornments. I drink a lot of water, three cups of tea and one cup of cocoa a day (with skimmed milk). I believe it is entirely possible to control your blood pressure this way WITHOUT medication. I am retired now but worked in the motor vehicle trade during my working life. Since I have had time to investigate and experiment with my diet, I have reached this conclusion.
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