Antihypertensives and cholesterol levels

[flowergirl2day]

Hi,

I wonder if any of you have had your cholesterol levels affected by your blood pressure medication. What, if anything, can be done about it when stopping the medication is not an option?

[dmer]

FG,

This is an interesting point because I would presume that a substantial number of people with HBP, including myself, also have cholesterol issues.

In my case, I was prescribed a statin at more or less the same time as BP meds and as a result, my BP and cholesterol levels dropped. I don't know how you could make a clinical assessment without removing one of the meds. My guess is that it would be safer to baseline cholesterol levels on that medication then eliminate it to see the results.

[famnd]

FG,

My levels have stayed essentially the same. I have a strong genetic history of high cholesterol levels-one aunt had one of 1,000. As you know I'm on a alpha/beta blocker at almost the max dose & HCTZ. I think exercise & diet have tipped the balance for me. I've gained 20 lbs since starting b/p meds five years ago.

I know you eat healthy so perhaps exercise is a key for you since you said that you no longer had as much time to exercise now that you are working. Fam

[dmer]

Originally Posted by famnd

FG,

My levels have stayed essentially the same. I have a strong genetic history of high cholesterol levels-one aunt had one of 1,000. As you know I'm on a alpha/beta blocker at almost the max dose & HCTZ. I think exercise & diet have tipped the balance for me. I've gained 20 lbs since starting b/p meds five years ago.

I know you eat healthy so perhaps exercise is a key for you since you said that you no longer had as much time to exercise now that you are working. Fam

Are you taking any form of statin or other cholesterol lowering therapy?

Would you mind sharing your lipid profile? I've posted mine and have read others because it's interesting to get a complete picture on what might be working for people to alleviate various conditions.

In addition to my HBP, my total cholesterol and triglycerides were elevated. I've had significant weight loss through diet and exercise which have helped with my BP but had more dramatic effects on cholesterol levels.

[flowergirl2day]

Thanks so much for your input!

To clarify: I have been on cholesterol medication since the commencement of antihypertensive therapy.
I worked hard to get my cholesterol levels to where they should be. I followed a very strict diet and exercised as much my meds would allow given my reduced heart rate. It took months to get the cholesterol levels just right. The addition of two medications (one of them Hctz) seems to have tipped the scale definitely not in my favor. (Chol/HDL ratio went from 3.2 to 4.2 with my diet remaining the same - except for the elimination of my daily oatmeal/flaxseed/cinnamon/berries breakfast and daily apple cider vinegar).

I think your suggestions are excellent. I will try to lose weight by being more active. It seems I gain it without even realizing it, especially in the stomach area. I have a doctor's appointment this morning so will ask about your suggestion, dmer, as to baselining the cholesterol levels on the current meds. That's brilliant!
P.S. I was/am afraid that with such an increase in cholesterol levels, especially if it continues, I will be required to take MORE of the cholesterol medication. By the way, the calcium channel blockers are thought to be the ONLY antihypertensives that do not affect the lipids.

flowergirl