It sounds like new guidelines will soon be coming out for doctors in assessing patients with hypertension. Under this guideline, optimal BP will be considered to be about 115/75 and doctors will be looking more at total cardio vascular risk rather than just hypertension numbers. So how does that influence those who have high cholesterol numbers? Well, get this -

Thomas Giles, MD, president of the American Society of Hypertension (ASH) made this statement recently:

"Under the new definition, statins that lower cholesterol might be considered antihypertensive drugs, and antidiabetes drugs might be considered antihypertensive drugs."

Hmmmm. I wonder what that will do to the number of statins prescribed.

I heard that the other day Uff. Man, they just won't be happy till they have EVERY person on a statin for something. These so called "guidelines" are getting lower and lower. Guess they expect us to believe it is the WONDER drug for the 21st. century..... :rolleyes:

This is getting ridiculous: first, anything below 140/90 was normal. Then, anything below 129/80 was normal. Now, anything below 115/75 is now NORMAL? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH There's no winning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's hard enough for me to keep my BP down around 120/80, let alone below 115/75! JEESH!

It sounds like new guidelines will soon be coming out for doctors in assessing patients with hypertension. Under this guideline, optimal BP will be considered to be about 115/75 and doctors will be looking more at total cardio vascular risk rather than just hypertension numbers. So how does that influence those who have high cholesterol numbers? Well, get this -

Thomas Giles, MD, president of the American Society of Hypertension (ASH) made this statement recently:

"Under the new definition, statins that lower cholesterol might be considered antihypertensive drugs, and antidiabetes drugs might be considered antihypertensive drugs."

Hmmmm. I wonder what that will do to the number of statins prescribed.
After reading your post, I am not sure what my bp is right now, but I can guarantee it is nowhere near 115/75! :D

All,

Of course you realize that ultimately the guidelines for BP will be adjusted to 0/0....

They just want to get us there slowly.... Something about a shortage of wood for coffins....


HubbleRules
:cool:

Boy U said a mouthful Hubble. As long as they keep lowering the guidelines, noone will be safe from having to take meds., it is down right NUTS!

How are U doing on the non flush Niacin? I started off with 100 mgs. and still got the itchys, I know, I am sooooo strange...... :D

Told the dr. and she said to cut them in half, as they are tablets and have a line where U can cut them, and just try 50 for awhile. I asked her if she thought that would do any good, and she said seeing I am so sentative, 50 might just help, as U don't need as much of the non flush as U do the IR Niacin. I looked around on the web and it does say a lesser amount can be used and still be benefical, so I am doing the 50 for now, and hope maybe to up it when my body gets use to it. Weird that 100 bothers me, but the 50 doesn't, so we will just play it by ear for now.

Still think being a Beach Bum is the answer....... :cool:

Take care, and good luck, man we need it.... :wave:

Personally I consider the goals GRANDFATHERED in.:D:D..thus if one reached adulthood with 140/90, that's the goal for AOK BP until one reaches the tomb.
If the kiddies want to take their BP to 100/60 with 14 different kinds of meds, I wish them well; I'm sure their doctors will oblige.

Like 54/40 or fight, my motto is "140/90 or FIGHT."
Good enough for me!

JJ,

In regards to the niacin, I thought it was the other way around, that you had to take more of the no-flush niacin than the immediate-release nicotinic acid.

As far as those revised blood pressure guidelines are concerned, I couldn't care less. They can change the numbers all they want, but I will be the one who makes the ultimate decision as to whether I should go along with it or not. As far as I'm concerned, the 140/90 figure is good enough for me.

Arizona, this is what I have seen on several sites:
Another way to minimize the flushing is to start with low doses (50-100 mg) and gradually increase the dose as tolerated. Finally, inositol hexanicotinate (IHN)—another non-flushing form of niacin—can also be used. IHN, while a bit more costly than niacin, is effective in somewhat lower doses, thereby remaining cost effective.
**************************************** *******

As far as me taking the 50 mgs., I certainly think I will need more for any results, but I will see how it goes. Like anything, if it works fine, if not, hey, I tried.

I hear ya all about the BP thing, they are WAY out of control on that. Even hubby's cardio guy cut him back on some of his BP meds., as like he said, more is not always better. Most of the time his runs around 134/76 and sometimes 140/82, but the dr. said he can live with those numbers. They had him on 4 different meds. for BP, and kept upping the dose, and it did nothing. Ever since he was 17 and went into the service, his BP was always 140/90. Just to get him into the service, they had him there for about an hr. taking his numbers till they went to 138/88, then they said FINE, your in!!.. :D

I have horrid white coat for the last few years, yet my dr. gets wacked out if I have anything over 135/85. She is new to me, so I explained to her how I get at a drs. office, so maybe she will calm down and get off my back, as I am not taking anymore meds. then I need. At home my numbers are fine, but let me go to the dr. and I am a mess, which half of it is because I am terrified they will try to shove more meds. on me.

Before I went on Lipitor in 2000, my BP was very low, so whatever it did to me, it sure sent it flying. After being on it for 3 months, I got alot of GI problems, and my BP went up in the 155/90 range. My dr. at that time thought his machine went nuts, as he was so use to me having low numbers. After checking out 3 different machines, he monitored me for 3 months and then decided I needed a small dose of meds. So far, unless my stomach is bothering me, or I go to the dr., it is fine on my machine, which is an Omron, so I know it is pretty accurate.

Have a good one, and TTYL.... :wave:

JJ,

I know what you mean about doctors and blood pressure readings. I always get tensed up when I go to a doctor for a physical (which hasn't been for over 3 years now). That last physical I had, the doctor was getting readings like 150/85 or 90. A couple of months later, when I went to my dentist, the reading was something like 135/80. The readings I have always gotten from the dentist were always in the 130-35/80-85 range. Unlike many people, it just doesn't seem to bother me when I have a dentist appointment. Maybe that's because I go to the dentist twice a year, which is far more often than I go to the doctor. But whenever I must visit the doctor, I almost feel as though I have an appointment with the grim reaper, the bearer of all bad news and horrific drugs. I usually go into the office with butterflies in my stomach (bats is more like it). Those white coats and the sterile environment is very unsettling. But I think whatever blood pressure readings you get at home when you're in a relaxed environment are probably your true readings.

Boy U said a mouthful Hubble. As long as they keep lowering the guidelines, noone will be safe from having to take meds., it is down right NUTS!

How are U doing on the non flush Niacin? I started off with 100 mgs. and still got the itchys, I know, I am sooooo strange...... :D

Still think being a Beach Bum is the answer....... :cool:
:wave:


JJ,

I seem to be tolerating the inositol hexaniacinate much better now... I'm taking 250mg once daily, with a meal, and I seem to have gotten used to it. I'll probably up the dose to 500mg/day in another week and see how that works out. Don't think I'll go higher than 750mg/day...

What I've read indicates that it is 80% niacin, and 20% inositol, and that it is as effective as immediate release niacin for lowering LDL and boosting HDL.

We'll see....

Just in case it is a flop, I'm stocking up on the Carona's for a future career at beach-bumming!!!

Hey - did you see 'Analyze This' yet with Robert Di Niro and Billy Crystal??? It was on the tube this weekend. I love it when Di Niro goes "You, Yooouuuu"..... I don't think I've ever seen Di Niro in a bad movie!!

TTYL

HubbleRules
:cool: :wave:

I have the same thing happen when I go to my GYN or GI guy, my BP is fine. I think it is because I have had them for years and they both have great bedside manners, and I feel at ease. Unfortuneately since my dr. of 34 yrs retired, I have been dr. hoping for a couple of years, and I have met a couple of real winners..... :rolleyes:

One dr. wanted to put me on statins, and I explained to him what happened and why I was taken off of them. Obviously he didn't give a hoot, cause the answer I got from him was "If U don't take what I recommend, then I won't treat you". Needless to say, he got dumped in a N.Y. hearbeat, and now, I am extremely aggitated when I go to another dr. for fear of running into the same thing. Hopefully this new gal will put my fears to rest, as I really have had it. Did have one new dr. after mine retired who was great, but he left for another state....DARN IT!! Oh well, time will tell, and all I can do is hope and PRAY this one isn't a pill pusher...... :)

I'll always remember De Niro in Taxi Driver!

JJ,

Yeah, too bad all doctors can't be like Marcus Welby, always smiling and reassuring their patients, and treating them like members of his own family.

My family doctor died 12 years ago, and I still don't have a regular doctor. Maybe I should try to find a woman doctor. Women tend to be more caring and personable people, not like all those other Dr. Frankensteins!

JJ,

I seem to be tolerating the inositol hexaniacinate much better now... I'm taking 250mg once daily, with a meal, and I seem to have gotten used to it. I'll probably up the dose to 500mg/day in another week and see how that works out. Don't think I'll go higher than 750mg/day...

What I've read indicates that it is 80% niacin, and 20% inositol, and that it is as effective as immediate release niacin for lowering LDL and boosting HDL.

We'll see....

Just in case it is a flop, I'm stocking up on the Carona's for a future career at beach-bumming!!!

Hey - did you see 'Analyze This' yet with Robert Di Niro and Billy Crystal??? It was on the tube this weekend. I love it when Di Niro goes "You, Yooouuuu"..... I don't think I've ever seen Di Niro in a bad movie!!

TTYL

HubbleRules
:cool: :wave:

Sounds like the same stuff I have. Today ended my 1st week of it on the 50 mgs., didn't bother me at all today, so I am hoping I can jump up to 100 now and see how it goes. If I can take that with no problems, I will be a happy camper, as I thought for sure I was going to have to ditch the stuff after the itchys last week. Geez, what a sensative system I have huh?

Stock up on the Carona's, we might need it yet..... :D

Yes, I saw both Analyze This and Analyze That, both were great. I just saw him in The Focker's a few weeks ago, IT SUCKED! Meet the Parent's was funny as all get out, but the sequel, The Focker's did none any justice, even Di Nero.... :p He was very funny in Meet the Parent's, but BORING in Focker's. Oh well, everyone has a bad day.... :D

Take care, stock up, and good luck.... :wave:

JJ,

Yeah, too bad all doctors can't be like Marcus Welby, always smiling and reassuring their patients, and treating them like members of his own family.

My family doctor died 12 years ago, and I still don't have a regular doctor. Maybe I should try to find a woman doctor. Women tend to be more caring and personable people, not like all those other Dr. Frankensteins!

Well it is tuff when U have a dr. for so long and then they retire. Sometimes ya get lucky and get another good one, but I didn't. Hubby didn't like the new one either, so now he goes to the VA, and has a lady dr., and he really likes her alot. Not all lady drs. are good, trust me. I had one who was a Mrs. Frankenstein..... :eek: :eek:

As far as De Niro, he was also in another great movie where he hunts down a criminal and then lets him go in the end. Do U think I can remember the name of it, but he was fantastic in that too. U won't like his preformance in Fockers, it makes him look stupid. JMHO Take care.... :wave:

Better yet, I think I'll take that doctor who is pictured at the top of this page. She is smiling, and appears to be of a very caring and personable nature.

Would U believe she looks alot like my new dr. ? LOL I know my new one interned with hubby's dr. at the VA, so if she is as nice as his, I might keep her. I should be getting my blood test results soon, GOD, am I dreading it, as I thought last time they would be good, and they sucked..... :eek:

Man I wish it would warm up, this cool and damp weather is making me nuts. Can't believe Memorial Day is this weekend. We haven't had more then 3 days of 70 degree weather, what a bummer, and I am sick of wearing sweats.

Enjoy your evening.... :wave:

JJ,

She really looks a lot like your doctor? Hmmm, to tell you the truth, I've been seeing her picture for so long on this board that I'm really beginning to like her. Well, that figures. She's probably somewhere far away from where I live. Around here, there's nothing but a bunch of Frankensteins!

As for the weather, I would be happy if it stayed this way all summer. I just HATE the HEAT and HUMIDITY.

Yes, she resembles her alot. Who knows, she may not even be a dr., but U just might find one who is nice. I asked my GYN guy for a dr., as he knew I was going nuts trying to find someone who I could stand. My GYN guy, interned with my old GYN, so when he retired soon after my internist did, I just kept this guy. Wish I could make him my PCP, but I can't...Bummer!

Like U, I don't like the severe heat or humidity, but this rainy and cool temps. just makes it feel like winter is still here, and I don't like winter. Seems the last few years, we go right from winter to the hot and sticky summer, no spring or fall. Cut the grass today, and now it is suppose to rain on and off all week, so it will need it as soon as it dries up again. OH JOY!

BTW, that Di Nero movie I was thinking of was called Midnight Run, that was a darn good movie, think it was from 88??? Oh well, off to do my last minute chores, then get ready to put this tired old body to bed. :yawn:

Have U a favorite hospital near you where U could call for a referral for a dr.? Where I live, I am not fond of the local hospital, so stayed away from drs. near me. I called Yale and ST. Raphael's for drs., as they have the better ones. It is a longer drive, but worth it for a decent dr.

Good luck, and TTYL.... :wave: