Bp Meds

[Justin1967]

It looks like I will get Bp meds soon..What did you do when your doctor told  you had to take Bp meds?
Has your life changed for the worse or got better?

Justin

[NTB]

well, you can try a page like this:
http://www.medicinenet.com/impotence_ed/page4.htm

and you're quite right about DASH being low sodium, though there's also a strong emphasis on vegetables that provide a lot of potassium. K is sort of the opposite of Na.

Some people are "salt sensitive" (maybe 1/3?) but others aren't.

You'd mentioned frequent urination. The drugs that cause that would be diuretics. But if you keep sodium intake low, then your need for a diuretic could be low, or eliminated. A diuretic might be the first drug prescribed. A thiazide is probably the cheapest anti-HTN drug available.

Are you exercising? That can have a dramatic effect on BP lowering.

Among other things, exercise can increase Nitric Oxide, which relaxes arteries. There's a Nobel Laureate named Ignarro who has a beginner's book out on the subject of increasing NO through non-drug means.

All of the non-drug means apply mostly if you are borderline HTN. More severe cases require drugs, and often combinations of two or more.

[Justin1967]

Hi there.. I have an average weight of 176 pounds, yet my BP is still high..
What does gender have to do with the type of drug?
I haven't heard of the DASH diet?

Something to do with diet without salt?

[NTB]

Justin, the effects depend on the particular drug - and on your gender.

I'd also guess that most people's BP will go down without drugs if there is a big weight loss.

Also, have you read about DASH diet?

[Donna552]

I have always been very active, and I have not noticed that the BP meds made any difference.

I can't recommend...you'll have to discuss that with your doctor.  The one that I'm using and having good results with right now is Norvasc. It has done the most for me in keeping my BP down.  My readings have been in the 120/70 range since I started it about 2 years ago.  Before taking it, my readings were around 168/82.

[Justin1967]

Ok.. Being on Bp medicines for over 30 years is a long time, any long term effects? Which one would you recommend? I read somewhere there are ones that make you tired or  go to the toilet often..

[Donna552]

I have been on various BP medicines over the past 30 years and have never felt or experienced anything different........except that my blood pressure was better controlled.