Is it likely ?????? - Heart Disorders Message Board

Jay Ar · 07-27-2007, 11:40 PM

I'm 67 years old and had a triple bypass at 62. Have been on blood pressure tabs (Retinec 20/6)for about 10 or 12 years, and have been taking a Beta-Blocker (Metaprolol) since the Bypass when the surgeon told me to keep my blood pressure under 120. That wasn't a proposition as it was always between 130 to 160 until recently. For the last few months I have been having a lot of light headedness bordering on dizziness and now my B/P ranges from 90/65 to 115/65. My question is, is it possible for my B/P to have become naturally lower so that now I can stop the tabs and maybe get rid of the light headedness. My heart rate ranges from 65 to 85 as a general rule at the moment. I am planning on stopping the Retinec tabs for a week or so but thought I would ask the question anyway in case there are other people that have been in a simular position that can enlighten me.

Cheers.......Jay Ar

Lenin · 07-28-2007, 07:00 AM

Hi Jay,

Too much medication>>>too low BP>>>dizziness and lightheadedness.

Don't ever medicate to below 120 systolic; personally I think even THAT is too low unless it is achieved naturally.

I think you can lower the dosage of rhe metoprolol to the point below where the dizziness kicks in.

Probably the enalapril component in the Renetic has stopped working after 5 years but you may WELL need the thiazide diuretic.

But it's the metoprolol that's causing your symptoms...try HALF the dosage and see how you feel.

There IS a possibility that you can kick the meds altogether...the test is getting an AVERAGE BP over a month or two that stays under 140/90.

started04 · 07-28-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay Ar

I'm 67 years old and had a triple bypass at 62. Have been on blood pressure tabs (Retinec 20/6)for about 10 or 12 years, and have been taking a Beta-Blocker (Metaprolol) since the Bypass when the surgeon told me to keep my blood pressure under 120. That wasn't a proposition as it was always between 130 to 160 until recently. For the last few months I have been having a lot of light headedness bordering on dizziness and now my B/P ranges from 90/65 to 115/65. My question is, is it possible for my B/P to have become naturally lower so that now I can stop the tabs and maybe get rid of the light headedness. My heart rate ranges from 65 to 85 as a general rule at the moment. I am planning on stopping the Retinec tabs for a week or so but thought I would ask the question anyway in case there are other people that have been in a simular position that can enlighten me.

Cheers.......Jay Ar

Your doctor is correct. Keep the blood pressure below 120 and my doctors concur, or as my doc states a low as possible without side effects. Your symptoms require an adjustment to your medication not stoppage. Don't self- medicate as a short-term benefit (unless at end of life) may enhance a future unfavorable consequence. The doctor should have a complete medical chart on your condition, and is in the best position to make medical decisions.

Obviously, you had vessel occlusions that required a bypass. When there is any degree of occlusion and at an age of 60 or more there will be some occlusion and hardening of the arteries, and as a result the heart has to work harder against the higher resistance and that is measured high blood pressure. Medication reduces resistance by relaxing and opening vessels and the less resistance will be a better functioning heart in the long run.

Stopping your med may cause you to feel better, but is that in your best interest? Need to find the level of dosage that keeps your bp below 120 without side effects.

Lenin · 07-30-2007, 06:28 AM

Medicating to below 120 is medically irresponsible and medicating to 90 systolic is probably criminal.
Your body is getting dizzy and lightleaded becasue your doctor sounds like he is too.

Any researching the subject will find virtually no practitioners who pile on enough drugs for a 67year old to achieve pressures this low...for the very reason that they don't want seniors getting dizzy and falling down steps.

Overmedication probably kills FAR more senior citizens with heart disease than it helps.

started04 · 07-30-2007, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lenin

Medicating to below 120 is medically irresponsible and medicating to 90 systolic is probably criminal.
Your body is getting dizzy and lightleaded becasue your doctor sounds like he is too.

Any researching the subject will find virtually no practitioners who pile on enough drugs for a 67year old to achieve pressures this low...for the very reason that they don't want seniors getting dizzy and falling down steps.

Overmedication probably kills FAR more senior citizens with heart disease than it helps.

An IMPAIRED heart needs support and that includes reducing afterload (bp, etc.). To subject a healthy heart to a systole measurement of 170 is comparable in deterioration would be to subject a unhealthy heart to 120. That is common sense!

You miss the point! The objective is to get the blood pressure as low as possible without side effects. There IS a range below 120 (normal for a healthy heart) and no side effeccts...What doctor or who has said one should tolerate side effects? The objective for bp medication to give relief to a heart's workload (the lower the better). This treatment is consistent with risk/benefit medication management based on evaluation of the totality of the patient's health.

What is irresponsible is to not know the medical facts and with pontification suggest someone should self-medicate and/or experiment, and make a correction of their medication based on their short term reaction.

QUOTE: "Overrmedication probably kills FAR more senior citizens with heart disease than it helps."

That is ridiculous. It should be said far more die from self-medication and/or stop medications. Get the facts straight.