Views on BP please - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

*Paul · 01-27-2005, 06:10 AM

Hi all,
My dose of Ace was increased 3 months ago now, but has only recently taken effect. My BP readings average around 140-145/80-85 whilst on these meds. My problem is that recently in the evening about 19:00 i can get readings as low as 119/72. I have never had readings this good before, but every other time during the day it is atleast 140/80. I appreciate HBP is defined as sustained high readings and not the odd high figure. But this shows that i can get normal readings, does this mean that I am doing something wrong. It has proved my body is capable of good reading and that perhaps i am creating these higher readings myself. I know that BP reduces the later in the day, and atleast 80% of my BP reading are in excess of 140/80, but i can now get low readings. I can't figure it out? From bad to good in a matter of hours. Any views would help.

Regards
Paul

mrmojo · 01-27-2005, 06:50 AM

Paul - are you drinking any alcohol in the evening?

I have found that just one whisky in the evening can lower my BP by 10/5 (sometimes way more)

Lenin · 01-27-2005, 07:27 AM

Paul,
Don't overthink the situation. Occasional readings of 160/90 don't mean hypertension any more than occasional readings of 119/72 mean normal BP; it's only the AVERAGE, RELAXED READINGS over a LONG TIME that are of concern.

If you average 140-145/80-85, take that number as your controlled BP...and it's good enough for control with an ACEI!

Here's a heads-up for ACEI users. THe body makes most of it's Angiotensin 2 using chymase as catalyst. SInce ACEInhibitors block only the ACE catalyzed formation of Ang-2, there are at least 2 additional mechanisms (including the chymase route) that can work around the ACEI. Over time, angiotensin-2 can be produced at the same levels as before the medication was begun, reducing net BP control to nil. This time frame can be as little as 6 months.
ARB's may be the better choice at least in this particular regard because they block the ang-2 directly regardless of HOW it was formed.

Random2 · 01-27-2005, 07:33 AM

Mojo,

I was drinking a 6 pack a night from 22-32. I am 34 now. I cut out drinking a lot & my B/P has benefited. B/P meds. & alcohol kill my stomach in the morning.

veree · 01-27-2005, 08:59 AM

I have erratic BP. I get 3 different readings in 5 minutes time. I take a diuretic and wondering if it is really helping. I have a BP monitor which I take with me to doctor appts and it is accurate. Any thoughts on this? Thanks