I just got diagnosed with hbp 3 days ago, I had symptoms of pressure in my head, headaches, and a choking feeling. Every time I stood up, I felt like I had a brick on my head, a heavy feeling. I went back to the doctors and explained this to him, the night before I went, my bp was 151/109. I had no clue as to why it was so high, I had a problem a long time ago with hbp and took medication for about a week, then it went too low so the doc took me off. Never any problems with it since, well until now. He put me on Lisinopril 10mg daily. I am also overweight, I am 5'9 and 261lbs. I just recently got over a blood clot in my calf, and I am still on coumadin because this was my 2nd clot, the doc is telling me that I am a lifer of coumadin..I am type 2 diabetic and tomorrow (march 20) is my quit smoking day! The doctor told me that what is causing my bp to stay so high is the smoking, I had a TIA 2 weeks ago, and that scared the crap out of me, I am only just 39 and I don't want to die yet, its not my time. SO...tomorrow is the begining of a new life for me, I am starting a new diabetic diet, and quitting smoking, I already started walking...I hope to lose at least 80lbs and never smoke again. I bought some Commit lozenges to help me along the way. The last time I quit smoking I took Zyban (it really works!!) but this time I can't afford it, and I have heard great things from other people taking commit! :bouncing: I think the TIA was a wake up call along with the blood clot. BUT...I am the type of person who doesn't freak out about smoking and the effects, I freak out about the lasting effects...like a stroke, heartattack, etc...I love to smoke and if there was any way I could bypass all of these health problems and STILL smoke I would, but there isn't, so I have my mind made up that quitting is the best thing...I have chest pains all the time, stomach problems a severe case of IBS...and dont' forget the asthma..My cholesterol is 201 but my triglycerides are 490 which is high, but they have come down, they use to be over 1100...SO has anyone out there quit smoking recently and how? also how do you manage your hbp if you aren't a smoker? Does these symptoms ever go away? I just started taking the Lisinopril 3 days ago, and my readings are still averaging 140/95 and higher, any suggestions? Thank You.

My husband was recently switched to lisinopril, it took about 2 weeks to fully kick in. He has type II diabetes and is about 120 lbs. over weight and bp is down to 120. He is also probably a lifer on coumadin.

I was also put on lisinopril but had a bad reaction, but I quit smoking(used the patch),started walking and lost about 25 lbs. and bp in now normal. I bet working on improving your lifestyle should help lengthen your life, best of luck.

shelly,

If you want to learn more about what's going on inside, search for the condition: METABOLIC SYNDROME, also known as SYNDROME X. It fits you to a tee.

Your plan is a good one...no smoking and a 50 pounds weight loss will go a long way towards improving your physical condition.
I think adding a diuretic (like HCTZ, 25 mg.) to the lisinopril is a good idea because, having had a TIA already, you MUST control your BP better than the average Jane.

Try not to loook at the whole picture at once, it can be daunting. Instead try to diet properly, and not smoke, and get some exercise JUST TODAY. Tomorrow morning do the same thing...anything can be handled in single day parcels.

Thank you for the insight, its always nice to hear from others about things they have in "common" with you. I will check into the HCTZ and see if it helps, I will also check into the syndrome X. Its noon here today and I have been smoke free for 12 hours! I took my first commit lozenge and OMG YUK..I almost threw up, they don't taste bad, but the stuff that you swallow burns, and is just nasty...Its almost like smoking your first cigarette all over again...I will continue taking them to help me get through the most difficult times, but I just hope I can get over the swallowing taste... :eek: I had to start on the 4mgs because I was such a dependent smoker..needed a cigarette as soon as I got out of bed...I slept most of the morning today, I think it was a little bit of hiding, but also that stuff gave me a nasty headache...they suggest 9 lozenges a day! I can't imagine even being a dependent smoker...I will let you all know how it goes...right now I am starting to get the shakes..I know the signs of quitting smoking...its REALLY DIFFICULT..but I just took my bp and its 118/83 and I am VERY happy with that number...so it means that NOT smoking is keeping the pressure down. Anyone else feel free to comment! Its much appreciated...

My husband was recently switched to lisinopril, it took about 2 weeks to fully kick in. He has type II diabetes and is about 120 lbs. over weight and bp is down to 120. He is also probably a lifer on coumadin.

I was also put on lisinopril but had a bad reaction, but I quit smoking(used the patch),started walking and lost about 25 lbs. and bp in now normal. I bet working on improving your lifestyle should help lengthen your life, best of luck.

CONGRATS to both you and your husband...Did the patch work really well for you? I tried it in the past and it made me itch like crazy and put the same taste in my mouth as the commit has...kind of a burning feeling and kind of has given me heartburn...but since commit is so nasty, I am sure its going to work for me! I am very dependent on cigarettes and feel like I am the only person in the world who "just can't quit" but its been 12 hours and my bp is finally normal for the first time in over 2 weeks! SO..I figure that "not" smoking is doing the trick...I pray that its the answer, and losing weight...that is also hard, but one thing at a time...Again, thanks for your reply! Shelley

Shelly,
I quit smoking exactly two years ago, using the cold turkey method. I do chew nicorette gum (2mg) whenever I'm out socializing with my smoker friends (maybe once a month). My BP was 140/90 consistently and after I quit it went down to 100/68. Boy was I happy. I am about 20 lbs overweight. Yes, I gained weight when I quit (only about 10 lbs which I've since lost). However, after about 1 year of not smoking, my BP went right back up to 140/90. I am terribly disappointed, and am not sure why it's still high. I excersize every day, 500 sit ups, 25 pushups, 3 to 4 mile walks, excersize class 2x a week, blah blah blah. I eat healthy, but I'm not a saint. I try to eat a good mix of veggies and fruit, but I love a good microbeer now and then. I don't deprive myself. There is no question that losing weight will cause your BP to go down. The smoking may cause it to go down, but maybe only short term. The weight will help more. Still, quitting smoking will help in the long term with heart and strokes. My cardiologist told me to lose the extra 20 lbs for the blood pressure. I don't want to go on meds if I can help it. Good luck with the quitting smoking, but try to lose the weight more. This isn't the best thing to tell someone trying to quit, but I'd smoke tomorrow if I knew it wouldn't kill me in the long run. I loved smoking and still miss it. But it killed my mother 5 months ago, and I miss her more.

Listen to Lenin, I had syndrome X myself wo the actual diabetes. The key is
lose weight by really cutting back on the carbs, just about eliminate them for a while,
and even when you bring them back--no refined carbs. That is, no refined carbs for
the rest of your long life. Exercise and all that too. Your bp problem may well disappear if you can lose 80 pounds that way, and at least the symptoms of diabetes.
Smoking is nuts for someone in your condition. You need to develop the habits; it can be done. You're young enough to have great success in kicking most of your problems.

Shelly, everyone has given you good advice. My mom is also trying to quit smoking, but she says it hard. Her new doctor really got on her for smoking bcuz she has diabetes, high cholesterol and a thyroid condition. She also needs to lose over 20 pounds. She has finally gotten the picture. She takes zorcor for her cholesterol, and nicorette(sp>) for quitting smoking. it has been a wk now since her last cigarette. I hope she continues.

I don't smoke and never has -- so I don't know anything about the craving. I wish you much success in your efforts.