Blood Pressure Medicines

[AllDone]

I was on BP (Ramipril) since my HA 18 months ago. I was on the lowest dose and that was after I resisted since I don't have high
BP. I am so disgusted with the "rubber stamp" method all of the Cardiologist I have had use. If you investigate , the study they all reference is 20 years old. If you look at the study you will find that at the time , many in the health community, shot the study full of holes. The study claim that the pill reduced cardiac incidence by 30 % , in reality it reduced events by about 3%. As one reviewer determined , you would have to treat 75 people for 4 1/2 years to prevent one event. Its all about the money.

An NNT of 75 for a cheap and safe drug doesn't sound all that bad, but I'm not sure where you got that data. You weren't being prescribed an ACE for your blood pressure, either. Do you have a primary care doc you trust? You could schedule an appointment to go over your medications and discuss why you are taking each one, any possible downside, how long they should be continued, etc. The standard of care after a heart attack is an array of generic and inexpensive drugs which is unlikely to make any doctor rich and which really doesn't even need that much monitoring.

http://www.uptodate.com/contents/an...al-infarction-mechanisms-of-action/abstract/1

 

[franco45]

Well, to me, the more i look at studies, the more I become skeptical. For instance, if you look at the " group" that was in the study:
BP 139/79 (mine 110/60 or less)
Diabetes 38% ( i am not diabetic)
High Cholesterol 66% (i have normal cholesterol)
Smokers 14%(never smoked)
BMI 28 (my BMI is 21)

So what does the "study" really mean to me?
And you say that for a cheep drug, the results are not bad? How about if you factor in the people that had kidney failure or any of the other know side effects?
I don't know, maybe its just me.
And. On a related note. We always hear about all the medical mistakes in hospitals. Yesterday i called an old friend that I video chat with all the time. I was surprised to see him answer in a hospital bed. His doc wanted to try a new medication on him but required he check into a hospital where he can be monitored. We chatted for 45 minutes and during that time, one nurse came in with a medication for him to take and he had already taken it, then a little later another came in with the new medication that he was not supposed to taking for another two hours. Really gives you confidence in the system.

 

[Moscyn]

Am so glad to read this post. My doctor has put me on a 24-hour BP measurement machine today and as I read this thread, the machine is taking my BP ( takes every half hour and I have to sleep with it tonite). Will only get it removed tomorrow afternoon. He decided to do this after my very erratic home readings for 2 weeks and high readings in the clinic. My blood cholesterol is also high (both HDL and LDL are high). So tomorrow I will go for blood and urine tests. 3 weeks later I am scheduled to see the doctor and if results are not good, I'll be asking what medicine will I need to take. I hope he prescribes me some mild ones first. I know nothing about BP medicine, so thanks to all for contributing to this thread.

 

[Moscyn]

Am so glad to read this post. My doctor has put me on a 24-hour BP measurement machine today and as I read this thread, the machine is taking my BP ( takes every half hour and I have to sleep with it tonite). Will only get it removed tomorrow afternoon. He decided to do this after my very erratic home readings for 2 weeks and high readings in the clinic. My blood cholesterol is also high (both HDL and LDL are high). So tomorrow I will go for blood and urine tests. 3 weeks later I am scheduled to see the doctor and if results are not good, I'll be asking what medicine will I need to take. I hope he prescribes me some mild ones first. I know nothing about BP medicine, so thanks to all for contributing to this thread.

I wish to add that I have made a lot of lifestyle changes - exercise and food. But looks like I need to read up more as I did not know bread contains so much sodium as pointed out in this thread.

 

[wrigley]

I wish to add that I have made a lot of lifestyle changes - exercise and food. But looks like I need to read up more as I did not know bread contains so much sodium as pointed out in this thread.

Stay away from "white".........bread, rice, pasta, etc!

Mike

 

[Moscyn]

Stay away from "white".........bread, rice, pasta, etc!

Mike

Pardon my ignorance but if I cook my white rice in unsalted water, is white rice then high in sodium? I googled about sodium in white rice and got this -

"White Rice & Brown Rice: Rice is not only good for suppressing hunger, but it also contains the least amount of sodium. If you were to eat 1 cup of brown rice, you would only be eating 8mg of sodium and if you were to eat 1 cup of white rice you would only be eating 4mg of sodium."

I love eating white rice and worry whether I need to cut down on this. I cook my white rice in unsalted water.

 

[wrigley]

Pardon my ignorance but if I cook my white rice in unsalted water, is white rice then high in sodium? I googled about sodium in white rice and got this -

"White Rice & Brown Rice: Rice is not only good for suppressing hunger, but it also contains the least amount of sodium. If you were to eat 1 cup of brown rice, you would only be eating 8mg of sodium and if you were to eat 1 cup of white rice you would only be eating 4mg of sodium."

I love eating white rice and worry whether I need to cut down on this. I cook my white rice in unsalted water.

Makes sense to me. I love rice also but my doctor tells me not to eat it.

"White rice is considered a high glycemic index food or fast carb. This means it is rapidly broken down into sugar in the body. This can contribute to insulin resistance, glucose spikes after eating white rice and was shown that eating white rice five times a week increased the risk for type 2 diabetes. Brown rice is lower on the glycemic index and actually decreases the risk of diabetes for those who ate two servings per week."

Mike

 

[Khan]

If you don't mind me asking, what did they put you on?

Mike

generic for Zestoretic 10-12.5 mg tab once a day

 

[SJ1_]

Interesting discussion. And the reason we seldom eat out.

+1

You have no idea what they put in the food.

 

[redduck]

Am so glad to read this post. My doctor has put me on a 24-hour BP measurement machine today and as I read this thread, the machine is taking my BP ( takes every half hour and I have to sleep with it tonite). Will only get it removed tomorrow afternoon. He decided to do this after my very erratic home readings for 2 weeks and high readings in the clinic. My blood cholesterol is also high (both HDL and LDL are high). So tomorrow I will go for blood and urine tests. 3 weeks later I am scheduled to see the doctor and if results are not good, I'll be asking what medicine will I need to take. I hope he prescribes me some mild ones first. I know nothing about BP medicine, so thanks to all for contributing to this thread.

It sounds as if your doctor is taking good care of you. And, as for BP medicine, I wouldn't worry about having to take it. I've been taking BP medicine for 10-15 years (I never counted). Anyhow, I've not had any negative side effects. I know people who became light-headed or dizzy taking their BP meds, but if those symptoms persisted for more than a few days, the MD just lessened the dose or simply switched the BP meds. It is really no big deal. I'm often grateful (truly) that these meds are around, because without them a lot of us would be dead (or worse).

 

[Dash man]

I'm on two BP meds: Losartan (generic for Cozaar) and Amlodipine. Together they bring my BP down from what was 180/105 to 122/75, with no side effects, so I'm happy. I'm stuck with bad genes for BP and dietary changes make no difference. Because of that I've actually been told to avoid whole grains, brown rice and several other "heart healthy" foods because of my history with kidney stones which require nearly the opposite of a heart healthy diet to avoid. Of course it's everything in moderation so avoiding one problem doesn't bring on another.

 

[Moscyn]

It sounds as if your doctor is taking good care of you. And, as for BP medicine, I wouldn't worry about having to take it. I've been taking BP medicine for 10-15 years (I never counted). Anyhow, I've not had any negative side effects. I know people who became light-headed or dizzy taking their BP meds, but if those symptoms persisted for more than a few days, the MD just lessened the dose or simply switched the BP meds. It is really no big deal. I'm often grateful (truly) that these meds are around, because without them a lot of us would be dead (or worse).

Thanks! My 24 hr BP reading was indeed erratic but was completely normal between 10 pm to 8 am (sleep time). I have a feeling I am an anxious person during my awake hours! Anyways, still running some more tests. Do I have to give up alcohol on BP and anti cholesterol meds? I love my one or two glasses of wine on some days.

 

[redduck]

Hi, Moscyn...

Please keep in mind that I am not an MD, I'm a patient.

As for wine, your doc will talk to you about that. My GUESS is that it will be ok to have one glass, I'm not sure about two glasses. By the way, I am also taking an anti-cholesterol med and have been for several years. That also seems to have been going smoothly. I was originally encouraged to take the anti-cholesterol med by my dermatologist as we were discussing our genetics during an office visit. My cardiologist is the prescribing MD, however.

Actually, the anti-cholesterol was changed after a few years, because of something I can't recall specifically. We changed the med (absolutely no issue in changing it) and all is going well once again.

Hope some of this helps.

 

[Dash man]

Thanks! My 24 hr BP reading was indeed erratic but was completely normal between 10 pm to 8 am (sleep time). I have a feeling I am an anxious person during my awake hours! Anyways, still running some more tests. Do I have to give up alcohol on BP and anti cholesterol meds? I love my one or two glasses of wine on some days.

You'll need to talk to your doctor, but I'm on two BP meds and am still allowed to drink in moderation. I'm not on cholesterol meds, but take a red yeast rice supplement to keep the LDL and triglycerides down.

 

[Tailgate]

Thanks for the articles included in this thread.. this is new info to me. My Dr just increased my meds in order to get me into the teens/70's... I'm 62 and my readings have consistently been 130-140/80's or low 90's. Currently on Lisonpril HTCZ 20/12.5 in mornings and Amlodipine Bestylate 10mg in evenings (the new drug).

In any event I was concerned.. perhaps too concerned. I'm eating much better and exercising since ER at end of year. I'm going to stop worrying and be more optimistic knowing that I'm working' on it.

To the OP... I started with Lisonpril HTCZ years ago and had found it to be effective for a long while with no side effects for my. YMMV.

Cheers!

and now I've hit the Trifecta... Dr just added 50 mg Metoprolol ER Succinate (beta blockers) to my BP cocktail.. says it will help with heart rate and anxiety issues

 

[Moscyn]

Thanks Redduck and Dash man. Will definitely ask the doctor a lot of questions if test results indicate I should be on meds.

 

[franco45]

If you read up on the serious side effects on drugs, the bad stuff like renal or liver failure is in about 75% percent of the cases in people 65 and over. Reason, old organs just can't tolerate the toxic substances like the young one. The drug industry has convinced the general population thats its easier to pop a pill than to make a lifestyle change.

 

[aja8888]

........(snip)..................I'm often grateful (truly) that these meds are around, because without them a lot of us would be dead (or worse).

Now I understand what death is but worse than death? Got examples?

 

[dontworry]

"Now I understand what death is but worse than death? Got examples?"

Having a stroke or major heart event and being in a vegetative state for the rest of ones life would be worse than death in my book. Just sayin.....

 

[kaneohe]

If you read up on the serious side effects on drugs, the bad stuff like renal or liver failure is in about 75% percent of the cases in people 65 and over. Reason, old organs just can't tolerate the toxic substances like the young one. The drug industry has convinced the general population thats its easier to pop a pill than to make a lifestyle change.

.......and it can happen even if you are younger. If you value your health you might want to ask your doc to monitor relevant blood tests whenever you start taking a new med to be sure nothing weird is going on. I have personal experience with this so I will never forget. It might not be common but if you're the rare bird whose organs react
badly (w/o obvious symptoms), you might want to know early.

 

[Badger]

Maybe the age thing explains my DF. Perfect BP, till his mid 80s. From there he was on multiple meds.

I cut down on processed food and salt, when mine went higher and was put on meds. Today I only will salt a nice steak. For me once I got used to it, food actually tastes better.

After I had eaten this way for couple of years, I tried soup and sandwich at some chain. I couldn't eat the soup, the waiter asked if there was something wrong with the soup. My response 'you mean that cup of sea water?'.
MRG

I like to watch a few of the cooking shows on TV and I am always amazed at how much salt they use when cooking just one recipe. I don't use that amount of salt for an entire week. Restaurants use a huge amount of salt.

 

[braumeister]

Restaurants use a huge amount of salt.

Biggest single reason I don't eat out much. I don't enjoy the taste of such salty food. They even put it in desserts!

At home, we eat hardly any processed food, just my own cooking, and I use hardly any salt.

 

[Moscyn]

Nowadays when I eat out, I just tell them not to add salt to my food and I try to avoid ordering dishes with prepared sauces. Even salad dressing is always on the side so that I can choose not to add them in. On those rare occasions I have fried chips or fries, I just tell them no salt please. Initially, the food tastes kind of bland and without that "kick" but I now am used to it and rather enjoy it too.

 

[wrigley]

and now I've hit the Trifecta... Dr just added 50 mg Metoprolol ER Succinate (beta blockers) to my BP cocktail.. says it will help with heart rate and anxiety issues

Having any side effects with that Beta blocker?

Mike

 

[Meadbh]

BP meds have recently been associated with falls in elderly people in a recent study.

Blood Pressure Meds May Raise Risk of Serious Falls for Seniors: MedlinePlus

It's not clear whether the drop in blood pressure is responsible, or something else.

You pays your money, and you takes your choice.