 |
|
|
|
|
May 4th, 2011
05:37 PM ET
Can I get rid of my hypertension medication?Every weekday, a CNNHealth expert doctor answers a viewer question. On Wednesdays, it's Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society. I have been taking two drugs combined within one pill to control my blood pressure.They are olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (known as Benicar-HCT). I took them for approximately eight years, during which time I was part of the world of employment. For seven months since I retired I have found that my blood pressure seems to be holding around 120/78 or less each day when measured. I discussed the matter with my doctor, who advised me to use only half of the prescribed dosage. My question is: Is it possible to rid myself of taking the medication all together? Asked by Lap, Baltimore, Maryland Dear Lap, Most people with high blood pressure have what is known as essential hypertension. It is caused by genetics; bad diet, especially a high salt diet; obesity; lack of exercise; and excessive alcohol intake. A very small proportion of people have hypertension due to another disease. Kidney problems, some endocrine abnormalities and some drugs (such as arthritis medicines and birth control pills) can cause what is known as secondary hypertension. Secondary hypertension is best treated by treating the underlying problem. The long-term effects of hypertension are cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, heart beat or rhythm problems, congestive heart failure and stroke. Kidney failure can also be the result of long-term high blood pressure. Essential hypertension or essential high blood pressure is one of most common problems among adults in the U.S. and Western Europe. In the U.S., about one-third of the population age18 and older, and one-half of the population age 65 and older has hypertension. This translates into more than 60 million American adults having it, today. The number of people with hypertension is growing. This is due to the aging of the population and America's obesity epidemic. In the U.S., there were 30 million over age 65 in 2000 (13% of the population) and it is estimated that there will be 54 million over age 65 in 2020 (16% of the population). Thirteen percent of American adults were obese in the mid 1960s, compared with 35 percent in 2008. The systolic blood pressure is the highest pressure reached in the arteries when the heart contracts. The diastolic is the arterial pressure when the heart relaxes. They are measured in a unit known as mmHg (for millimeters of mercury). The definition of normal blood pressure and hypertension that has been agreed upon by a number of medical societies is a number of measurements averaging the following: • Normal blood pressure: systolic less than 120 mmHg and diastolic less than 80 mmHg • Prehypertension: systolic 120-139 mmHg or diastolic 80-89 mmHg • Hypertension: Stage 1: systolic 140-159 mmHg or diastolic 90-99 mmHg Stage 2: systolic equal to or greater than 160 or diastolic equal to or greater than 100 mmHg It is generally recommended that most patients with hypertension be treated such that their blood pressure remains below a systolic of 140 and a diastolic of 90. Most patients likely benefit from even lower numbers closer to the normal range. It is also recommended that diastolic blood pressures be kept above 65 mmHg, because going below this level can increase the risk of some types of stroke, especially among older people. It is not unusual for people to have blood pressure cuffs at home and take their blood pressure regularly. This is to be encouraged, though proper cuff sizing and proper cuff placement are important. Inaccurate readings, both high and low, can result when the blood pressure is not measured correctly. The patient should be instructed as to what size cuff to use and how to properly place the blood pressure cuff. A number of drugs are available to treat hypertension. They use various mechanisms of action. Some are good for mild to moderate high blood pressure; others are reserved for more severe disease. Some patients need two or three drugs to control their blood pressure. Interestingly, studies show less than 40% of Americans with hypertension have it under control. This is because hypertension is a disease with almost no symptoms for most of its course. It requires a medical examination to diagnose and is treated with medications that must be taken daily and sometimes impair quality of life. Some patients are significantly inconvenienced by having to urinate frequently due to a diuretic, by constipation due to a calcium channel blocker or by impotence or lightheadedness due to an alpha or beta blocker. Stress from work and other situations can increase ones blood pressure and your retirement may be helping to lower your blood pressure. Changes in diet, weight loss and exercise have also been known to lower ones blood pressure and decrease the need for hypertensive medication. I cannot speak directly to your situation, as I do not know so many factors such as your age, height, weight and overall health. It is possible for a person with mild hypertension on a mild to moderate blood pressure medication to reach a healthy blood pressure by changing some factors in his or her life, such that blood pressure medication is no longer needed. This should only be done slowly and under a physician's supervision. It may be that lowering the dose or switching to a milder medication is ultimately right for you. I would be cautious, as your physician appears to be, and not stop "cold turkey."
Next entry »Psychiatry 'bible' structure overhauled
« Previous entryPublic Citizen: Bed handles dangerous for elderly
|
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
 |
|
|
|
order tadalafil https://elitadalafill.com/ buy tadalafil us
erectile tissue in the nose https://canadaerectiledysfunctionpills.com/ erectile blogs
canadian pharmacy cialis without prescription https://canadacialisstore.com/ canadian pharmacy for cialis
buy generic cialis, canadian https://canadacialisstore.com/ cialis canadian discounts
viagra prices canada https://canadaviagrastore.com/ is it illegal to by viagra from canada
side effects for vardenafil https://vegavardenafil.com/ what is vardenafil used for
self life of vardenafil https://vegavardenafil.com/ vardenafil 20mg india manufacturer
tadalafil pills https://elitadalafill.com/ tadalafil pills
Best view i have ever seen !
https://bukkit.org/proxy.php?link=https://thuocladientu123.com
average perscription pills taken by 65 year old canadian? https://canadapillstorex.com/ canadian customs pills vitamins
canadian pharmacy cialis no prescription https://canadacialisstore.com/ cialis canadian discounts
sildenafil pills online https://eunicesildenafilcitrate.com/ cheap sildenafil
vardenafil 20mg https://vegavardenafil.com/ vardenafil prices
injectable drugs for erectile dysfunction https://alprostadildrugs.com/ aloprostadil
tadalafil https://elitadalafill.com/ tadalafil 60 mg for sale
does erectile dysfunction come on suddenly https://plaquenilx.com/ discount erectile dysfunction drugs
cheap sildenafil 50mg https://eunicesildenafilcitrate.com/ buy sildenafil online no prescription
dapoxetine pharmacy priligy
canadian pills pharmacy https://canadapillstorex.com/ canadian generic pills
As a Queｅn’s University graduate, JL
Crｅative Agency was foսnded in 2016, by Јackie
Li.
my blog post – new music video
sildenafil generic canada https://eunicesildenafilcitrate.com/ 100mg sildenafil coupon
It's enormous that you are getting thoughts from this paragraph
as well as from our argument made here.
is chloroquine safe https://chloroquineorigin.com/ heart rate watch walmart
is it safe to order cialis from canadian pharmacy https://canadacialisstore.com/ canadian meds cialis
avanafil dose buy avana usa
generic viagra canada https://canadaviagrastore.com/ generic viagra shipping from canada
is chloroquine over the counter https://chloroquineorigin.com/ what is in chloroquine
who chloroquine https://chloroquineorigin.com/ anti-malaria drug chloroquine
dapoxetine pharmacy dapoxetine prescription usa
canadian pharmacy cialis without prescription https://canadacialisstore.com/ cialis viagra combination canadian pharmacy
is it illegal to by viagra from canada https://canadaviagrastore.com/ buy viagra online from canada
erectile function clinic in san antonio https://canadaerectiledysfunctionpills.com/ how erectile dysfunction affects women
canadian generic pills https://canadapillstorex.com/ canadian weight loss pills
generic viagra canada free shipping https://canadaviagrastore.com/ canada pharmacy viagra
chlorodine https://chloroquineorigin.com/ chloroquine cvs
avana canada avanafil stendra
buy avanafil online priligy cost
priligy without a doctor prescription dapoxetine 100 mg
avanafil stendra avana drug
There are a number of different factors that go into determining when is the best time to buy a hot tub for your home. The first thing to consider is what features you need your hot tub to have. There are different types of hot tubs depending on what you are looking to do with them.
https://bestproductlab.com/best-hot-tubs/
Legal! Ótimo conteúdo, com bom entendimento. Obrigada. 846830924
https://metamusica.com.br/
buy avanafil usa priligy pills usa
chloroguine https://chloroquineorigin.com/ does chloroquine work
website content July 12
Hardscaping so as to add superb value to home
your home and family , 2008
imparting curb appeal, finding the right most for the investment, And ever-increasing resell dollar value for your house charmdate can be carried out with an expert lawn specialist. A lawn specialist can accomplish this featuring yard, conceptualizing.
the excitement in super berry And freebies pertaining to everthing
network marketing business , 2008
obtain the Monavie online business opportunity and this system in back of simply because manufacture.
Read entire ArticleProtein must on your body development diet plan process
bricks-and-mortar fitness , 2008
1 gram an lb,single lb? 2 grams? 3 grms?aminoacids in your diet can be confusing. Learn the truth on all of your peptids personal needs in the following.
acquire what we should plant the the main advantages of shutting marketing possibilities in keeping with the best network marketers
advertising , 2008
Discover training ofmolding valuable home business owners from a long list of hoping leads.
Agel business enterprise a look At those things that originated increasingly being a glowing great idea
home business , 2008
Let's take particular notice at the Agel income opportunity. accomplishes all of the excitement simply transmit?quality finance articles July 12, 2008
piece of writing give you this is of mandatory sold requirements. to keep if you ever found these products on the liner what they are and it is to make an informed call concerning wheth.
Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before but after going through a few of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m certainly delighted I stumbled upon it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!
https://extraproxies.com/buy-proxies/200-proxy-pack
Can I just say what a comfort to discover someone who actually understands what they're talking about on the web. You definitely understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people need to look at this and understand this side of the story. I can't believe you are not more popular since you certainly possess the gift.
https://extraproxies.com/buy-proxies/2000-proxy-pack/
Hey are using WordPress for your blog platform? I'm new to the blog world but I'm trying to get started and set up my own. Do you require any coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
http://www.stornobrzinol.com/
Soy un novato en el negocio de hacer dinero en línea y me alegro de haber encontrado tu artículo. Ganar dinero a través de los videos es una gran idea pero también puede ser agotador. ¿Están los videos disponibles constantemente? ¿Cuánto tiempo tienes que ver los videos para ganar dinero? Por favor, responde a mis preguntas. Gracias
https://sr-ingeniero.jimdosite.com/quien-es-el-ingeniero-civil/
Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care
http://www.stornobrzinol.com/
buy generic combigan brimonidine side effects