I have researching a lot and found at the government site called Heart, Lungs & Blood Institute that if I lost some weight it would help my HBP about 10 points. ONLY 10 points??? At only 10 points, that would not help at all when the BP is 170/100. Have been monitoring my BP at the local EMS for about 6 months and it is staying at that level. Can't seem to get my doctor to take it seriously--keeps saying lose a little weight. Tomorrow I go AGAIN & try to get some meds for this. I am having headaches.
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Losing weight is only one item in fighting high blood pressure. This assumes you are overweight.
Restricting salt (sodium) in your diet, including those foods high in salt (regular canned soups, pickles, etc.).
Regular exercise cleared with your doctor is also important.
If all the above fail to get your resting BP under 140/90, or if you have heart disease 135/85, then it's time for medication. There are 3 categories of drugs to reduce HBP and many choices under each one.
Since you are using equipment at the EMS, assuming you are resting for several minutes before you take it the first time, I assume the equipment is reliable.
The best specialist to treat HBP is a cardiologist. If this doctor does not satisfy your needs, find a cardiologist.
Loseing a few lbs. would certainly help, but I can't see your dr. not taking that reading of 170/100 so lightly. When mine shot up to 160/100 for 2 months mine put me on meds. and I didn't even have headaches. I hope you get better results with your dr. this time, as that is way too high, especially being consistant. Exercise will also help bring it down. Good luck. <IMG SRC="http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif"> JJ
My own doctor has a bias against self test machines of any kind, saying their is no substitute for the standard mercury sphygmomanometer, and she distrusts any other measurements. I can't say I agree with her completely, because a few mm of mercury one way or the other is not going to make a whole lot of difference, but that might be the kind of bias you're dealing with. A good question would be, has your doctor taken your bp in his office and what did it register there? If, indeed, you were at 170/100 and he did not take it seriously, it's time to change doctors.
Saw the doctor and they have given me some samples of Accupril 20 mg. The EMS (fire department) BP readings were accurate as they keep their machines calibrated. Hopefully these will help. Thanks to all for the input!
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Well I am glad to see they are trying something. My dr. tried me on Altace 2.5 for 3 weeks, then 5 mgs. which I am on now. It took a few weeks before it stabilized, but it seems to be ok now. I think what you are on is an Ace Inhibitor also. Good luck and keep monitoring your BP. <IMG SRC="http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif"> JJ
P.S. Here is a good site to look up your medication to see what it is and any side effects.
<A HREF="http://health.yahoo.com/health/drugs_tree/medication_or_drug/whitepages/a.html" TARGET=_blank>http://health.yahoo.com/health/drugs_tree/medication_or_drug/whitepages/a.html</A>
