Lisinopril and Atenolol questions - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

jana65 · 03-26-2007, 06:08 PM

After having BP of 198/108 at my annual checkup on January 30th, my Dr. started me on Lisinopril 25 mg and 12.5 of HCTZ. After 2 weeks my BP had stablized but I continued to have a high heart rate so he prescribed 25 mg of Atenolol to taken daily. He did an EKG ( OK ) and I also had echocardiogram, a carotid ultrasound ( within normal limits ) and abdominal ultrasound
( possible bruit, turned out it was OK ! ) AND a CT of my renal arteries also OK. I am a 59 yr. female and also take 40 mg of Lipitor. In the past 2 yrs. I have had 5 lithotripsys for 4 large kidney stones and I am also taking potassium and magnesium to prevent kidney stones. That is 5 pills every day and I do not like taking pills. I've had no ill effects, in fact I feel much better with the BP medications. My weight is 170 lbs. and I am 5'6 tall. I asked my dr. if I could come off of some of this medicine if I lost weight but he said he didn't really consider me overweight.
Before the age of 57, when I found I had 4 large kidney stones - 2 in each kidney - I have had excellent health. I guess I've been lucky. I have taken the Lipitor for about 7 - 8 yrs. I guess my question is, do I have any chance of getting off the medicines by losing weight ? Has anyone out there done that successfully ??

Lenin · 03-27-2007, 06:23 AM

jana,

What kind of stones were they?

Yes, 170 pounds is considerably overweight and I'm sure you will get much better BP numbers at 140#. You must have a fat doctor.

Do you have a home BP tester?

jana65 · 03-27-2007, 06:09 PM

The stones are calcium oxalate - the most common kind I hear. I should say " were " since I had my last ESWL treatment on 3/6.
And honestly, my doctor is very slim and trim. But I don't need him to tell me 20-30 lbs OFF my frame would be great . What I'm curious about is whether or not I could back off the BP medicine...even if I lost 20 lbs. how would I know I could come off it ?
I'm 59 yrs. old and he said that the heavier weight goes with age. I have been at that weight for a while now.
And yes, I do have an Omron BP machine so that I can monitor it. It has greatly improved and my pulse rate has as well. I think this machine is very user friendly too. Just follow the directions !

Lenin · 03-29-2007, 06:01 PM

jsns,

Just lose the 20 pounds (or better, 30) and stop taking the meds for a couple weeks and see if your BP remains normal.

An aside: HCTZ seems to prevent calcium excretion and if you need to take one drug, it would seem that it is the one for you.

I find weight loss ASTOUNDLINGLY good for my BP.

jana65 · 03-30-2007, 08:31 PM

Hi Lenin -
From what I've read, you are not supposed to just stop taking the BP medications. In fact, I usually take mine in the am before leaving for work. One day I forgot so I took them when I got home about 1:00 ( I work part-time) and I could tell a difference in the way I felt. OK, maybe it was just mental, knowing that I hadn't had the medicine. At any rate, I intend to try and lost some weight and I'll " cross that other bridge " after that happens.

Jana