How do you/ and Dr. know when you are ready to get off high blood pressure meds?

I have just recently had surgery and due to stress bp went up... One week prior to surgery on no meds my bp was what the Dr. said was excellent and 2 weeks after surgery went a little higher due to some stress I was exp.. 3 weeks later it rocketed due to more stress (from surgery)140/100 (that is high for me).. My question is my average morn. reading of bp is between the 120's/80's 7:40 am (now on meds).. Is this a normal BP? My Dr. commented he did not want me to stay on toprol xl or any bp meds.. But how will we know when to get off.. I do have a bp machine at home and take it.. I also have 3 year old twins that are always under my feet so its hard to get time alone to get a reading.. Are there ways to reduce your heart rate to have it come down on its own without me taking medication for the rest of my life???

How will we know when I am ready to get off the pills is my big concern.. Any input would be great....

Alison

Alis,


The only way you will know is to gradually reduce it and go off. Keep in mind though that you may get a slight "rebound" affect.
Sometimes also, you might know to go off because your BP is TOO low.

When my mom had a heart attack she was prescribed toprol xl. She stated on it for three or more yrs. Toprol xl is suppose to slow the heart beats. Maybe your dr. put you on toprol xl bcuz of the surgery. Once everything stabilize and after several normal readings, he/she will take you off the toprol xl.

i would NOT stop taking the toprol xl abruptly bcuz it could cause severe hbp and even a heart attack. My mom had so many side effects and the dr. refused to take her off the toprol xl, she abruptly stopped the toprol xl herself. Two days later we had to rush her to the ER, her bp soared to 220/107.

If you feel you must stop the toprol xl, wean gradually by reducing the dosage slowly. Good luck!

I discovered that I could probably get off my Lisinopril when I started getting quite a few readings with systolic BP between 103 and 110. Though those are considered wonderful readings for many people, I just felt too lethargic at that level. Should that happen to you, it might be one clue for you to go back to the doctor and ask if it is time to lower your dosage and hopefully, to start weaning off the meds.