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Suggest Treatment For High BP
Question: hi im 42 y/o and my BP 1s 130/104 should I take blood pressure medication already or can I still control through diet and exercises, currently overweight now?
Brief Answer:
need to repeat first
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
IN initial assessment of blood pressure a person can be classified as having normal, prehypertension , stage 1 high blood pressure or stage 2 high blood pressure.
This classification is based on either the top (systolic ) or bottom (diastolic) reading.
Your reading would be a stage 2 because the diastolic is above 100.
Your should have it rechecked because treatment is based on a average of at least 2 readings.
Remember the reading should be done with arm resting at heart level (if it is lower than reading is falsely high) , after sitting for at least 5 minutes, feet on the ground.
If your repeat value is also in this range then medication should be considered.
Lifestyle changes can be done along with medication. This would include an increase in physical activity and change in dietary habits
There is a diet called the DASH diet that has been formulated for high blood pressure. Info would be available on line.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
need to repeat first
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
IN initial assessment of blood pressure a person can be classified as having normal, prehypertension , stage 1 high blood pressure or stage 2 high blood pressure.
This classification is based on either the top (systolic ) or bottom (diastolic) reading.
Your reading would be a stage 2 because the diastolic is above 100.
Your should have it rechecked because treatment is based on a average of at least 2 readings.
Remember the reading should be done with arm resting at heart level (if it is lower than reading is falsely high) , after sitting for at least 5 minutes, feet on the ground.
If your repeat value is also in this range then medication should be considered.
Lifestyle changes can be done along with medication. This would include an increase in physical activity and change in dietary habits
There is a diet called the DASH diet that has been formulated for high blood pressure. Info would be available on line.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I went to urgent care yesterday due to headache on my nape area, I was right my blood pressure was high 140/100 , they gave me nitro t lower it down it went down to 120 /80 ,the PA gave me hydrochlorothiazed 25 mg to take every morning, I am hesitant to take any blood pressure meds , for a possible dependency. do u think its still possible to wean off from blood pressure meds if I change my life style and lose weight?or do I reallyhave to take the meds now to regulate my BP? what are the possible side effects if I take this pill ?
Brief Answer:
meds not associated with dependency
Detailed Answer:
HI
Dependency on drugs occurs when the particular medication causes tolerance and has addictive properties.When these types of medications are stopped then withdrawal symptoms occur.
Blood pressure medications do not cause dependence. They only treat high blood pressure. Like all medications there are potential side effects that may or may not occur but most persons on bp meds do not have any effects and if effects do occur the medication can be changed to one that is better tolerated.
Hydrochlorthiazide is one of the most common first line meds. It does have potential side effects such as decreased potassium, increased urea and glucose, allergic reaction.
These may or may not occur.
If you are able to reduce both the systolic and diastolic to normal with lifestyle then that would be good but sometimes both meds and lifestyle are needed.You can discuss with your doctor and try lifestyle changes for a short time.
The guaranteed risks associated with untreated and normally undetected (can be as high as 200/100 with no symptoms) hypertension normally outweigh the potential risks of medication.
Please feel free to ask anything else
meds not associated with dependency
Detailed Answer:
HI
Dependency on drugs occurs when the particular medication causes tolerance and has addictive properties.When these types of medications are stopped then withdrawal symptoms occur.
Blood pressure medications do not cause dependence. They only treat high blood pressure. Like all medications there are potential side effects that may or may not occur but most persons on bp meds do not have any effects and if effects do occur the medication can be changed to one that is better tolerated.
Hydrochlorthiazide is one of the most common first line meds. It does have potential side effects such as decreased potassium, increased urea and glucose, allergic reaction.
These may or may not occur.
If you are able to reduce both the systolic and diastolic to normal with lifestyle then that would be good but sometimes both meds and lifestyle are needed.You can discuss with your doctor and try lifestyle changes for a short time.
The guaranteed risks associated with untreated and normally undetected (can be as high as 200/100 with no symptoms) hypertension normally outweigh the potential risks of medication.
Please feel free to ask anything else
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
In my case do u really advice me to take the bloodprrssure pill, if my current blood pressure stabilized can i take off or wean off the medicatio? Or do i have to take it for life time , once I started it?
Brief Answer:
need to start changes first
Detailed Answer:
HI
It would be best to use it for now till you institute enough lifestyle changes.
If you institute significant changes and after a trial without medication your bp is normal then you do not need to continue it.
If the blood pressure is abnormal after a trial without medication despite lifestyle changes then it would best to use medication to reduce the risk of hypertension complications.
Please feel free to ask anything else
need to start changes first
Detailed Answer:
HI
It would be best to use it for now till you institute enough lifestyle changes.
If you institute significant changes and after a trial without medication your bp is normal then you do not need to continue it.
If the blood pressure is abnormal after a trial without medication despite lifestyle changes then it would best to use medication to reduce the risk of hypertension complications.
Please feel free to ask anything else
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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