BP Meds and Doctors

[Nitehawk]

I am now on Toprol XL 200mg. a day, Cardura 16mg. a day and Lisinopril 5mg. a day. My BP seems to remain at 160/90 most of the time with spikes around 180/100. I have a completely blocked right coronary artery with good collaterals. My Heart Doctor as well as my Internal Meds Doctor don't seem to have a problem with the amount and type of BP meds I am taking. Everytime I ask about why my BP seems to stay high, all I get is just increase the dosage of one of the meds I am on. I want off the Toprol as this stuff is not the greatest for your social life, if you catch my drift? Anyway I am really sick and tired of young arrogant Doctors who do not listen to you!!!!
Nitehawk

[Lenin]

Nitehawk,

You are getting MISERABLE control considering that huge medication ritual.
You need a different approach rather than further increasing the same old-same old drugs.

Geez, that much Toprol makes me tired just READING it. Are you taking it for angina or rhythm irregularities?

You seem to be missing a VERY important component of BP control, the old diuretic.
Why not try replacing the Toprol VERY GRADUALLY with a thiazide or a loop diuretic (which are supposed to be better than thaizides for a stiff social life.

P.S., I too had a completely blocked (98%+) RCA and a big network of corollaries but nagging angina on exertion led me to seek out and get a stent.

My theory is that the only thing that pushes through a healthy life saving corollary circulation where it's needed is blood pressure...too much artificial lowering might be more harmful than beneficial for those of us who need arterial roto rootering from years of fat eating.

[rigel434]

That's a pretty low dosage of lisinopril- the ALLHAT study found it gave best bp control at around 20 mg or so. I'd try raising the dose on that medicine.