Hypertension treatment

[Bruno12b]

Hello,


I'm 45yo.caucasian male.Height 173 cm, Weight 68 kg.2,5 months ago I started taking  Lodoz 2,5 mg (bisoprolol with diuretic), blood persure before taking medicine was approximately 160/100. The medicine was prescribed in the same dose by general practice doctor 2,5 months ago . In the meantime I did ultrasound of the heart and the result seems to be OK. as wel as EKG.  In addition to hypertension I have high cholesterol  values(Tested  on 20/03/2009: Choletsrol was 5,6, LDL= 3,5 , HDL =1,42, b on 05/05/2009 i did another test in different lab, results were Cholesterol= 6.9, LDL=4,90, HDL=1,20. I do not take any drug for cholesterol,have started using fermented red rice. I am still smoking.

" Lodoz"2,5 mg seems to control my blood preasure fine. I don't have problems with heart rate (usually between 70 and 80 during the day and around 60 in the morning) before taking beta blocker I usually had  quite high HR (approximately 90)

I'm writing all this because it  seems that I started to suffer from "Erectile Dysfunction"or at least everything seems to be pretty much different than before. Behavior has been changing during period of taking drug.

In the meantime I was reading a lot and would appreciate professional help,advice, suggestions and comments.
I have found out that there is not easy  to stop taking "BETA BLOCKERS" if needed it has to be gradually.

I wonder would it be worth of trying switching to other BETA BLOCKER that is more selective such as "NEBIVOLOL". , could I switch to ACE inhibitor (was taking one 5 years ago, they were working for me at that time as well.My blood pressure was then marginal and quit after about month and a half) or maybe should I switch to something like "LOSARTAN"

Thank You very much for help in advance

Kind regards,

Bruno

[Bruno12b]

When you said diuretic, Did you mean Hydrochlorothiazide?

Thank you

[Cleveland Clinic]

You are welcome.

[Bruno12b]

Thank you very much for answer. appreciate your help.

Bruno

[Cleveland Clinic]

This is not uncommonly reported by our male patients and this is also the reason why I don't use beta blockers in patients such as yourself.  I would recommend either being on the diuretic only (hydrochoothiazine 25 mg daily), definitely stopping the beta blocker, and if the diuretic doesn't work well by itself consider ACE inhibitors or ARB's (losartan).  You could also try various calcium channel blockers such as Amlodipine (norvasc).  Make sure to quit smoking and take care of your cholesterol.  Start with a heathy diet and exercise and if that doesn't work start taking a statin.