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Suggest Alternative Over The Counter Medication For Diltiazem
Question: Hi,
I just had a follow up echocardiogram, stress test on treadmill, BP checked 4 times, and 3 ecg during my tests. My BP was higher than it has been 152/95 and then 150/80, then 134/72 once I stopped the treadmill for the echocardiogram pictures. My cardiologist said things looked good, strong heart, but I did have some pvcs. I'm due to wear a holter for 24 hours next week. I'm on BP Meds. Diltiazem 240 24 time release once daily. I've been taking beet juice to help my BP, and try and get off Diltiazem. My last three doctor visits were 128/74, 123/80, and 112/78. My problem is the side affects from Diltiazem and anxiety. I get occasional light headedness, brain fog, and palpitations from Diltiazem. I never had these things before taking the BP Meds. It's been 10 months since I started them, since then I've felt like crap and have been emotionally worn out from the stress of BP and the side affects. I'm afraid of Meds and felt fine until the BP Meds were started. I've been told to use zanax, Prozac, and Ativan. All sound scary with side affects, I don't want something that's addictive or makes me a zombie. Any ideas? I do use beet juice to lower my BP. It works and I'd like to use it instead of Meds to eliminate side effects.
This was my doctors conclusions.
CONCLUSIONS
Patient walked nine minutes, 10 mets, 84% MHR, hypertension with
normal response to exercise, no symptoms.
Frequent ventricular ectopy with exercise, RVOT morphology and other
morphologies. No EKG changes diagnostic of ischemia.
Normal left ventricular size and function. Estimated ejection fraction 55 -
60%. No echo evidence of ischemia at this level of work.
Normal right ventricular size and function. Estimated normal pulmonary
artery systolic pressure.
Normal atrial size and estimated pressure.
Doppler does not detect significant functional valvular abnormality.
Results discussed with patient, 24 hour Holter monitor planned will
continue diltiazem for now
I just had a follow up echocardiogram, stress test on treadmill, BP checked 4 times, and 3 ecg during my tests. My BP was higher than it has been 152/95 and then 150/80, then 134/72 once I stopped the treadmill for the echocardiogram pictures. My cardiologist said things looked good, strong heart, but I did have some pvcs. I'm due to wear a holter for 24 hours next week. I'm on BP Meds. Diltiazem 240 24 time release once daily. I've been taking beet juice to help my BP, and try and get off Diltiazem. My last three doctor visits were 128/74, 123/80, and 112/78. My problem is the side affects from Diltiazem and anxiety. I get occasional light headedness, brain fog, and palpitations from Diltiazem. I never had these things before taking the BP Meds. It's been 10 months since I started them, since then I've felt like crap and have been emotionally worn out from the stress of BP and the side affects. I'm afraid of Meds and felt fine until the BP Meds were started. I've been told to use zanax, Prozac, and Ativan. All sound scary with side affects, I don't want something that's addictive or makes me a zombie. Any ideas? I do use beet juice to lower my BP. It works and I'd like to use it instead of Meds to eliminate side effects.
This was my doctors conclusions.
CONCLUSIONS
Patient walked nine minutes, 10 mets, 84% MHR, hypertension with
normal response to exercise, no symptoms.
Frequent ventricular ectopy with exercise, RVOT morphology and other
morphologies. No EKG changes diagnostic of ischemia.
Normal left ventricular size and function. Estimated ejection fraction 55 -
60%. No echo evidence of ischemia at this level of work.
Normal right ventricular size and function. Estimated normal pulmonary
artery systolic pressure.
Normal atrial size and estimated pressure.
Doppler does not detect significant functional valvular abnormality.
Results discussed with patient, 24 hour Holter monitor planned will
continue diltiazem for now
Brief Answer:
Metoprolol can be substituted for Diltiazem.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Sir.
I can certainly understand your concern.
I have worked through your question in detail.
As per your echo reports, the function of your heart within the normal limits.
Tread mill report also seems to be adequate.
But evidence of Left ventricular hypertrophy suggests long-standing hypertension.
The current concern is ventricular ectopics which require 24 hr Holter ECG.
Since the side effects to Diltiazem are prominent in your case, it's important to shift other potent antihypertensive agent like Metoprolol which can correct ectopics, LVH as well as high blood pressure.
Please check with your physician if he shares my view and if can prescribe these pills to you.
It's important to stay on antihypertensive medications for an indefinite period in your case.
Beet juice can be continued as usual.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank You
Metoprolol can be substituted for Diltiazem.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Sir.
I can certainly understand your concern.
I have worked through your question in detail.
As per your echo reports, the function of your heart within the normal limits.
Tread mill report also seems to be adequate.
But evidence of Left ventricular hypertrophy suggests long-standing hypertension.
The current concern is ventricular ectopics which require 24 hr Holter ECG.
Since the side effects to Diltiazem are prominent in your case, it's important to shift other potent antihypertensive agent like Metoprolol which can correct ectopics, LVH as well as high blood pressure.
Please check with your physician if he shares my view and if can prescribe these pills to you.
It's important to stay on antihypertensive medications for an indefinite period in your case.
Beet juice can be continued as usual.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank You
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
Answered by
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