BP

[ed34]

My Ramipril is hardly working now, it looks as though I'm becoming immune to its effects. My current BP is around 145/105 and sometimes higher. Is there a natural substance which helps with BP that anyone knows of? Or, do I need to ask the Doctor to change me to another med?

[hefner33]

Hibiscus tea

[ed34]

ok I will go to see my Doc, I can't take beta blockers unless absolutely necessary because they make me feel lethargic.

[is_something_wrong]

It's no problem taking beta blockers when your resting heart rate is 66. If it was in the high 40s or lower it could be a problem. Resting heart rate isn't very affected by beta blockade, but the heart rate during stress and exercise may be.

Anyway, there are lots of other alternatives than beta blockers, such as AT2 blockers, calcium channel blockers or if they fail; antiadrenergics or alpha blockers. There are also combination medications which combine an ACE inhibitors and another medication.

[jmsf]

Better to discuss with your doctor the possibility of adding and ARB hypotensive agent to lower your BP.

[jmsf]

Better to discuss with your doctor the possibility of adding and ARB hypotensive agent to lower your BP.

[ed34]

I'm on maximum of Ramipril at the moment and they are only dropping my BP  a small amount. I won't take beta blockers because my resting heart rate is 66 and with an EF of 70%, it doesn't need slowing down anyway. I will think about it more and probably get some magnesium pills tomorrow to take. I'll have to be careful though because Magnesium is also used to empty bowels before surgery lol.

[jeanette1952]

Can they "up" your dosage? Maybe they can come up with a another drug along with Ramipril to bring it down...a cocktail of sorts. My sister's husband is on three different BP meds.  How is your heart rate? Can you do beta blockers? Magnesium and potassium affect blood pressure.  Foods like blueberries, oatmeal, beets, baked potatoes and bananas are full of magnesium and potassium. I would definitely talk about this BP issue with your doctor. As astute and well informed as you are about anything heart related, I am sure you will make a good decision after being given options. 145/105 is probably too high for someone who has had heart problems. Hope you get your leg issues resolved soon, too.  Best of luck!! :)  

[tomx2]

bp is not too high [but close]. depends on age ---higher with increasing age is normal.  'normal' keeps getting re-defined at least once a year.  ask your doc what >he< thinks what's 'normal'.  worry but do't worry too much!