My dad has high BP.. help!

[apsyched1]

Hi,
My father has had high BP for a long time, taking meds way back when, then ceasing. My folks recently moved & have new doctors. Dad was recently diagnosed w/ high BP (again) & high cholesterol. He was prescribed atenol/chlor tab50 25 mg (generic for tenoretic), 2mg doxazosin (generic for cardura), & 10mg lipitor.
He fainted twice.
Upon returning to the doc, he was taken off diaxon & prescribed azor 5/40 - amlodipine (as besylate) 5mg, olmesartan medoxomil 40mg.
Now, his BP is very low 75/55.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
He is only 62!
Thx.

[gib]

He needs to buy a home monitor to check his BP and document his readings at various times through the day. Do this long term, weeks, months so that he has a pattern of what his BP does. If taking any meds really knocks his BP down, so much so that he faints, then he probably is just anxious when at the doc's office and perhaps shouldn't be takings meds to begin with?

People need to keep their doctors in check by working with them. I believe 9 times out of 10 you can be anxious at the doctors, have a high reading, boom he/she wants you on meds. I'm not saying they're out to get you, just quick to judge.

[bethsheba]

apsyched,

Welcome to the boards!

More info would be helpful...

What month/year was he diagnosed with hypertension with the new doctors?

What readings did he have that were determined to be high? systolic and diastolic?

How many times did the new doctors get these readings? One time? Several visits? Over the course of a year?

Does your father have any other health conditions?

Does he own a home monitor and use it according to the instructions?

Sorry to ask so many questions, but no sense in sharing info that wouldn't apply to your situation.

Bethsheba

[famnd]

That's much too low!!! 90/50 is considered hypotension (b/p too low). His Dr. needs to make an adjustment to his meds Now!!! Your going to have to help him. When a person's b/p is that low especially if it has been high, he may not be able to think clearly.

When my b/p has gotten down to 90, I was wasn't able to drive etc.
Where as a person used to a low b/p may be able to cope. But 75 is way below the lowest normal.

If you have a monitor, it needs to be checked against the Dr's b/p equipment.

Your father may not be getting enough oxygen to his brain if his systolic bp is 75. Call the Dr's office right now & see if the Dr. on call will do anything. Fam

Make sure he is getting enough fluid (water, juice, etc). If he doesn't have any heart or kidney problems, you could have him drink 16 oz of water or other fluid which will bring his b/p up about 20 points systolic for about 2 hrs. Ask the Dr. if this is okay.

If he is on a diuretic, his low b/p maybe a symptom of low potassium. Fam

[bethsheba]

Originally Posted by famnd

That's much too low!!! 90/50 is considered hypotension (b/p too low). His Dr. needs to make an adjustment to his meds Now!!! Your going to have to help him. When a person's b/p is that low especially if it has been high, he may not be able to think clearly....

Famnd is correct, you do need to contact his doctor NOW, and for the reasons she shares! She knows what she is talking about.

I was focusing on the meds and the numbers didn't register with me....big time mistake, bigtime.

Bethsheba