margie64
05-23-2009, 12:34 PM
the last time i went to the doctor my blood pressure was 150/80 and my pulse rate was 97. I am 65 and have been takeing blood pressure medicine for about 8 monthes but stopped because it makes me cough more than I want to and gives me a runny nose.
Is this a bad situation ? Marge
Is this a bad situation ? Marge
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DW123
05-24-2009, 11:31 PM
Your top number is abnormally high and should be brought down. You didn't say what medication that you were taking, but your cough could be related to an ace inhibitor. There are other medications on the market without the side effects you describe. I would definately go back to your Doctor and get on medication to lower your top number,Also your pulse seems to me to be a little too high.
Editor
05-25-2009, 02:29 AM
With all due respect, 150 is not abnormally high for someone age 65. Almost everyone on the planet, all other things being equal, will experience an elevated systolic (top number) reading as they age. The old rule of thumbe was your age plus 100. Now, a lot of people as they age get isolated systolic hypertension. The problem is, that treating HBP with meds for systolic alone, usually results in dropping the diastolic as well. If your low number drops below 60, that ain't good either. I guess it's a lesser of 2 evils situation. I have heard that a low dose of Norvasc can work well to lower systolic numbers. Whatever they give you, start out with a low dose, even breaking whatever they prescribe in half, and check your numbers at home. You may have "white coat" HBP which is a very real thing. You are just nervous at the doc's.
Regards, Brenden.
Regards, Brenden.
cartner
05-25-2009, 05:35 AM
You can ask him to change the drug class, you must be on ACE or an ARB drug. Also for your heart rate, you might consider Magnesium supplements. I have been using it for along time to control my heart rate, and it's working as if it's a drug but without the side effects.
Good luck
Michael
Good luck
Michael
Machaon
05-25-2009, 10:00 AM
margie64, have you had any other blood pressure readings besides the 150/80? Do you know if your blood pressure is normally at 150 or over? What is your blood pressure in the evening?
High blood pressure is high blood pressure is high blood pressure. If anything, the older one gets, the more important it is to maintain a healthy blood pressure.
I am closing in on age 70. I've taken my blood pressure 27,429 times since 1998.
That amounts to about seven times per day, for over 10 years. By carefully monitoring my blood pressure at home, and tracking causes and effects, I've been able to lower my blood pressure from an average of 152/97 in 1998 to currently an average of 122/73. My blood pressure average for all of 2008 was 122/72 and my pulse rate averages around 65.
In other words, as I've aged, I've been able to get my blood pressure down to levels that would be healthy for a teenager, and, as a result, my health has significantly improved.
If your pulse rate is normally faster than it should be, and your blood pressure is at unhealthy levels, you might consider working with your doctor to find a medication that doesn't give you nasty side effects. Another possibility is making sure that you are on a healthy diet, and having an appropriate daily exercise program.
High blood pressure is high blood pressure is high blood pressure. If anything, the older one gets, the more important it is to maintain a healthy blood pressure.
I am closing in on age 70. I've taken my blood pressure 27,429 times since 1998.
That amounts to about seven times per day, for over 10 years. By carefully monitoring my blood pressure at home, and tracking causes and effects, I've been able to lower my blood pressure from an average of 152/97 in 1998 to currently an average of 122/73. My blood pressure average for all of 2008 was 122/72 and my pulse rate averages around 65.
In other words, as I've aged, I've been able to get my blood pressure down to levels that would be healthy for a teenager, and, as a result, my health has significantly improved.
If your pulse rate is normally faster than it should be, and your blood pressure is at unhealthy levels, you might consider working with your doctor to find a medication that doesn't give you nasty side effects. Another possibility is making sure that you are on a healthy diet, and having an appropriate daily exercise program.
jackcc
05-27-2009, 09:45 AM
There are many medicines for treating high blood pressure. You should see your doctor about trying a different medicine.
Editor
05-27-2009, 01:22 PM
Hi Machaon,
I respect your knowledge and opinion. But the reality is that isolated sytolic hypertension is the norm for most humans as they age. If a 20 year old has 150/90+ readings, the odds are by the time he is 50 he has done some damage to something in his system. If one has good readings until he reaches age 60, and then only has mild hypertension after this (especially isolated systolic) this is a different matter entirely. Granted, it's great to keep it low is you can, But it's a trickier matter. Take my mother as an example. She had unmedicated 180+/95+ for years. She was prescribed a diuretic and in 3 days was in the hospital with a low blood sodium. While there and well medicated for BP (110/70) fell and busted her face and nose causing her to have a month of rehab in a facility. But hey, her pressure was great.....:jester:
She now takes Norvasc, 2.5 mg. a day and gets an average of 150/80. She is a little high on the systolic end, but no falls and broken noses or worse. In some respects, it's the lesser of two evils.
Regards, Brenden.
I respect your knowledge and opinion. But the reality is that isolated sytolic hypertension is the norm for most humans as they age. If a 20 year old has 150/90+ readings, the odds are by the time he is 50 he has done some damage to something in his system. If one has good readings until he reaches age 60, and then only has mild hypertension after this (especially isolated systolic) this is a different matter entirely. Granted, it's great to keep it low is you can, But it's a trickier matter. Take my mother as an example. She had unmedicated 180+/95+ for years. She was prescribed a diuretic and in 3 days was in the hospital with a low blood sodium. While there and well medicated for BP (110/70) fell and busted her face and nose causing her to have a month of rehab in a facility. But hey, her pressure was great.....:jester:
She now takes Norvasc, 2.5 mg. a day and gets an average of 150/80. She is a little high on the systolic end, but no falls and broken noses or worse. In some respects, it's the lesser of two evils.
Regards, Brenden.
flowergirl2day
05-28-2009, 11:27 AM
Hi, :)
But the reality is that isolated sytolic hypertension is the norm for most humans as they age. If a 20 year old has 150/90+ readings, the odds are by the time he is 50 he has done some damage to something in his system. If one has good readings until he reaches age 60, and then only has mild hypertension after this (especially isolated systolic) this is a different matter entirely.
I came across this information just minutes ago while reading about primary hypertension in a book by a well-known hypertension authority. It relates to the topic discussed. (not verbatim)
A distinction must be made between primary (systolic and/or diastolic) and isolated systolic hypertension.
Primary hypertension is seen in younger people with elevated blood pressure. It is contributed to by many environmental factors and is based on a genetic foundation. It is usually progressive if not treated, but it can be controlled.
Isolated systolic hypertension is seen in elderly people, with elevations in systolic blood pressure. It is not genetic, and is not affected to the same extent by environmental factors as is primary hypertension. ISH is less progressive and also less responsive to treatment due to its (usually) short duration.
I think that in some individuals with multiple medical issues, things are not often clear cut and identifying the type of hypertension might be difficult.
flowergirl
But the reality is that isolated sytolic hypertension is the norm for most humans as they age. If a 20 year old has 150/90+ readings, the odds are by the time he is 50 he has done some damage to something in his system. If one has good readings until he reaches age 60, and then only has mild hypertension after this (especially isolated systolic) this is a different matter entirely.
I came across this information just minutes ago while reading about primary hypertension in a book by a well-known hypertension authority. It relates to the topic discussed. (not verbatim)
A distinction must be made between primary (systolic and/or diastolic) and isolated systolic hypertension.
Primary hypertension is seen in younger people with elevated blood pressure. It is contributed to by many environmental factors and is based on a genetic foundation. It is usually progressive if not treated, but it can be controlled.
Isolated systolic hypertension is seen in elderly people, with elevations in systolic blood pressure. It is not genetic, and is not affected to the same extent by environmental factors as is primary hypertension. ISH is less progressive and also less responsive to treatment due to its (usually) short duration.
I think that in some individuals with multiple medical issues, things are not often clear cut and identifying the type of hypertension might be difficult.
flowergirl