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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Re: Accident Waiting To Happen?
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Re: Accident Waiting To Happen?
by CCF CARDIO MD DLB, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on August 02, 1998 at 07:55:50:
In Reply to: Accident Waiting To Happen? posted by Sheryl on August 01, 1998 at 12:14:46:
Dear CC Doctor. I saw Gregory's post asking a similar thing on Meds. Mine is on BP medication. " sometimes" in the doctor's office I will have an elevated BP. 154/94 or so. (usually they have to pump it several times to get this number) other times it will be 130/80 or less. Recently I had a thallium stress test because my ankles swell at times. The test was normal except for BP reaching 240/60 at 85% peak with heart rate of 139. I started out pre-test with BP at 127/78 with an 82 pulse and ended post test at 130/66. I have had these elevations of BP off and on that I am aware of for over 10 years. Why I am so scard in different doctor's office's I do not know.(not aware that i am stressed out) The doc who ordered this thallium wants me on BP meds. I asked him if I could buy the "best" BP monitor machine and test my BP daily under different stress levels. He did not like this. I bought the machine, (over 100.00 and had a neighbor cardio researcher come and show me how to take this). He took it and I registered 126/85...he took his own and that of my hubby's who is always low. They both were in the range of what their BP is usually. I have sinced continued doing this. They have all been good except twice now over the past month. Once when I was in pain it went to 155/89 with a pulse of 98 and another time when I had to call this doctor's office and got all keyed up with them and I took my BP and it was 157/88 with a pulse of 100. A half hour later it registered 136/80 with a pulse rate of 97...My question: What can i do to help myself to get this even lower than the normal range to give me lee-way when i either see a doctor or talk to his office on the phone other than meds. Perhaps if I can get it to always be in the 100/60 range than i have some lee-way. I do not want to take uneccessary meds for something I can do myself. More exercise? I need your expertise advice here. Is BP Meds warranted for these type of readings?. I do not want to Stroke Out talking to a doctor via phone or in his office. I am 52 years old. Why does this happen to me? Maybe I am a nervous wreck and do not know it. P.S. Garlic? Estrogen? Need HELP! Thanks Very Much. Sheryl P.S. I see you have two catagories listed. Hypertension and High Blood Pressure. What is the difference?l
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Dear Sheryl
Hypertension and high blood pressure are the same thing.
Sometimes when people are in their doctors office, their blood pressure gets higher than it usually runs. This is called "white - coat hypertension." It used to be thought of as entirely a benign condition. However, emerging evidence indicates that white - coat hypertension is associated with increased risks of stroke and heart attack when compared to people who do have normal blood pressure in the doctors office. In addition, your blood pressure response to exercise was abnormal.
I agree with your doctor that your blood pressure needs to be treated. As a first step, you should eliminate added salt from your diet; in some people, a low salt or no salt diet is sufficient to normalize blood pressure. Excessive alcohol use and tobacco use can elevate blood pressure. Regular use of certain medicines like ibuprofen or certain nasal decongestants can elevate blood pressure. If you are overweight, losing just a few pounds may be enough to normalize blood pressure. Gradually starting a program of aerobic exercise can also help your overall cardiovascular fitness. If these measures dont work over the course of a few months, medications may be appropriate. A diuretic (a "water pill") may be a good choice; it would probably be sufficient to decrease your blood pressure, might help with the foot swelling, and is inexpensive. Of course, you should discuss the specifics of any diet, exercise program or medicine with your doctor.
I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
In Reply to: Accident Waiting To Happen? posted by Sheryl on August 01, 1998 at 12:14:46:
Dear CC Doctor. I saw Gregory's post asking a similar thing on Meds. Mine is on BP medication. " sometimes" in the doctor's office I will have an elevated BP. 154/94 or so. (usually they have to pump it several times to get this number) other times it will be 130/80 or less. Recently I had a thallium stress test because my ankles swell at times. The test was normal except for BP reaching 240/60 at 85% peak with heart rate of 139. I started out pre-test with BP at 127/78 with an 82 pulse and ended post test at 130/66. I have had these elevations of BP off and on that I am aware of for over 10 years. Why I am so scard in different doctor's office's I do not know.(not aware that i am stressed out) The doc who ordered this thallium wants me on BP meds. I asked him if I could buy the "best" BP monitor machine and test my BP daily under different stress levels. He did not like this. I bought the machine, (over 100.00 and had a neighbor cardio researcher come and show me how to take this). He took it and I registered 126/85...he took his own and that of my hubby's who is always low. They both were in the range of what their BP is usually. I have sinced continued doing this. They have all been good except twice now over the past month. Once when I was in pain it went to 155/89 with a pulse of 98 and another time when I had to call this doctor's office and got all keyed up with them and I took my BP and it was 157/88 with a pulse of 100. A half hour later it registered 136/80 with a pulse rate of 97...My question: What can i do to help myself to get this even lower than the normal range to give me lee-way when i either see a doctor or talk to his office on the phone other than meds. Perhaps if I can get it to always be in the 100/60 range than i have some lee-way. I do not want to take uneccessary meds for something I can do myself. More exercise? I need your expertise advice here. Is BP Meds warranted for these type of readings?. I do not want to Stroke Out talking to a doctor via phone or in his office. I am 52 years old. Why does this happen to me? Maybe I am a nervous wreck and do not know it. P.S. Garlic? Estrogen? Need HELP! Thanks Very Much. Sheryl P.S. I see you have two catagories listed. Hypertension and High Blood Pressure. What is the difference?l
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Sheryl
Hypertension and high blood pressure are the same thing.
Sometimes when people are in their doctors office, their blood pressure gets higher than it usually runs. This is called "white - coat hypertension." It used to be thought of as entirely a benign condition. However, emerging evidence indicates that white - coat hypertension is associated with increased risks of stroke and heart attack when compared to people who do have normal blood pressure in the doctors office. In addition, your blood pressure response to exercise was abnormal.
I agree with your doctor that your blood pressure needs to be treated. As a first step, you should eliminate added salt from your diet; in some people, a low salt or no salt diet is sufficient to normalize blood pressure. Excessive alcohol use and tobacco use can elevate blood pressure. Regular use of certain medicines like ibuprofen or certain nasal decongestants can elevate blood pressure. If you are overweight, losing just a few pounds may be enough to normalize blood pressure. Gradually starting a program of aerobic exercise can also help your overall cardiovascular fitness. If these measures dont work over the course of a few months, medications may be appropriate. A diuretic (a "water pill") may be a good choice; it would probably be sufficient to decrease your blood pressure, might help with the foot swelling, and is inexpensive. Of course, you should discuss the specifics of any diet, exercise program or medicine with your doctor.
I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
