See All
Preferences
My Communities
My Discussions
My Email Digests
Announcements
To learn more about how lifestyle changes can help manage and prevent symptoms:
Exercise and High Blood Pressure
Healthy Diet - Salt Shockers and Dash Diet
What's Happening Now
The gold standard for diagnosing high blood pressure is the use of an ambulatory blood pressure machine. Those take the BP every 150-30 minutes for 24 hrs.View Thread
In theory the internist would have an edge over FP doctors.
But it my opinion that 98.5% of it is the individual doctor and not their background.
One that will listen to you and will explain the treatment. And why a meds is prescribed and what to expect.
Rather than one that does not say anything and just hands you a prescriptions and you don't even know what it is until you get it filled.View Thread
In addition to what you mentioned (diet, weight & exercise) stress can also cause high BP. Some people are more prone to this than others. And sometime the stress can be "hidden".
Also another cause can be sleep apnea. He needs to talk to his doctor about this and see if that might be a possibility.
In general physical causes are not common and not looked unless the BP is very high, not affected by meds, or have other symptoms.
But with his history he might talk to his doctor about the possibily of other causes. Ones that I have heard about is thyroid, blocked kidney arteries (and maybe other kidney problems), and lung issues.View Thread
However, it is hard to know when the machines where last checked or maintained. So their accuracy is not known.
At those levels I would not be concerned.View Thread
There is a very wide variation from person to person and how they respond to a med. I checked my labs reports and have been on as high as 40 mg lisinopril and now 10 mg. My potassium level as gone down slightly, not increased.
And I have learned from my doctors that instead of lab readings being labeled Normal range, it is more accurate to call them Typical ranges.
And that a single reading slightly out of range is, in general, not a problem. But rather it is more of a concern when there is a pattern of several parameters that are out of range.
From Mayo
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hyperkalemia/MY00940
Your blood potassium level is normally 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Having a blood potassium level higher than 7.0 mmol/L can be dangerous and requires immediate treatment
Often, a report of high blood potassium isn't true hyperkalemia. Instead it may be caused by the rupture of blood cells in the blood sample during or shortly after the blood draw. The ruptured cells leak their potassium into the sample. This falsely raises the amount of potassium in the blood sample, even though the potassium level in your body is actually normal. When this is suspected, a repeat blood sample is done.
And more info from WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/potassium-k-in-bloodView Thread
The lack of sleep is a problem and it cause high BP problems, but I don't know it would be cause spiking.
Two thing that people have reported in this forum that caused them spiking BP. One is adrenal gland tumor. The other is blocked kidney arteries.
[a style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(0, 102, 153);" onclick="LoginCreatePost(this,'hypertension-and-high-blood-pressure-exchange','3'); return false;" class="template-reply-post" id="exchange-post-enabled_A8">
View Thread
Just being below 80 is not a problem. It depends on how low it is and what the systolic number is and if there are any symptoms (light head, weakness, dizzy).View Thread
Since it's the weekend, I think you should go to a walk-in clinic and insist on answers. I don't know about a TIA showing up on a CT scan.View Thread
With that high of BP you need a regular doctor and not just the ER.
And get them to explain the CT findings.View Thread
high everywhere else.
Did find out, when I have honey or foods with honey, my
blood pressure spikes. (195/100, house reading)
Hope this helps out.View Thread
And on lisinopril and HCTZ for 2 years without any change in potassium levels.
Actually HCTZ can cause a drop in potassium levels and lisinopril and increase.
And there are pills available with combined Lisinipril and HCTZ.
But there are other classes of diuretics that can increase potassium levels and can be dangerous taken with an ACEinhibitor.
Muscle cramps and be caused by LOW potassium levels. As can high blood pressure.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003484.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypokalemia
In any case discuss your symptoms with your doctor and possible getting an electrolyte test.View Thread
According to RxList.com 50 to 100 mg of Atenolol is the standard dosage for high blood pressure. And it can be higher for treating heart problems.
this evening my b/p was 992/84.
That looks like a typo, but if it was 99/84 then you would only have 15 points of pulse pressure and that might be too low to make sure that blood is feeding all of the body.
Atenolol is a bets blocker and current recommendation are that beta blockers are not the best first choice for high BP and are only used if if other classes of BP meds don't work or not enough control.
However beta blockers can also be used if there are other heart concerns.
Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and ask if maybe a different class of medicine might be better for you. The common classes of BP meds are diuretics, ACEihibitors/ABR, and calcium channel blockers.
View Thread
I typically take my BP twice a day, in the morning and evening. Personally I know my body well enough and have enough confidence that I will experiment with adjust my lisinopril for a couple of weeks and then showing the doctor a record of BP and sometimes make the changes permanent.
I know that I am sensitive to stress and that will raise my BP. I had nasal surgery, and while the pain was not bad, I was MISERABLE from the continous discharge the first few days. And my BP went way up. And since I had earlier been on higher dose of lisinopril I upped my dose for a couple of days.
I am surprised that put you on lopressor the first time when you when to ER.
First of 140/90 is the lowest where they start treating high BP. And the standard is that to diagnose high BP that there has to be high readings at two separate visits. (Except for sever high BP which can be an emergency if not treated immediately, but you where far far from that).
Also the current recommendations show that beta-blockers (lopressor) are not to be the first choice for BP control and only used if others don't work.
Low blood pressure (below 90/50) is not a problem unless you are also have symptoms such as weakness, lightheaded, or dizziness. Likewise with a low HR.
The Gold Standard used to determine hypertension is a 24 hr ambulatory BP monitor test. That is a wearable BP monitor that will record your BP every 15-30 minutes.
The 2nd best is a log of home BP readings taken at home over a week or two. But the meter and the way that you use it should be checked by the doctor.
The least accurate way is readings in the doctors office on 2 separate visits.
And for an accurate reading you should be seated in a chair with a back and your feet on the floor, not on an exam table.
While I have not said yes or no, I hope that I have given you some information to use.View Thread
Also studies have shown that taking at least one BP med at night gives better BP control over the day.
But he does not want to take the HCTZ at night as that is a diuretic and may wake him at night.
Since the meds seem to work for several hours then he might talk to his doctor about taking smaller doses several times a day.View Thread
Women's Health Newsletter
Find out what women really need.
Helpful Tips
Helpful Resources
Related News
Related Drug Reviews
- Drug Name User Reviews
Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
For more information, visit the Duke Health General and Consultative Heart Care Center
Other Hypertension Information
More Related Communities
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.
