Uncontrollable High Blood Pressure

[alicel]

Mom is 87 years old and has high blood pressure (HBP) for many years, she is taking a few different medications to control her blood pressure. Her blood pressure has not really gotten better, but stable. But now, we noticed her bp is getting over 200 especially in the late afternoon or at night. Why? I am really worried.  Doctor told her to take one additional Bystolic when the BP is too high. But this is not right. What happens if her BP is continuously high, we have to give her additional dose every night?? Can you tell me what to do??

[kenkeith]

I have found my blood pressure is high for a period of time (weeks) for no apparent reason.  Then it goes the other way down below normal.  There is no identifiable cause that I know about.  

I take Lisinopril (ACE inhibitor) twice a day as well as Coreg (beta blocker).  You indicate your mother is taking medication once a day?  There is a doctor that gives advice wseekly on TV, and he stated he has seen better results when the medication is taken at night before boing to bed.  He stated he did not know the reason, but the results were evident.

[cath911]

I hope they didnt simply take her blood pressure and say "hmm this is high, lets prescribe some medication". Have they actually done any tests to see if they can establish WHY its getting so high?  Have they done blood tests to look at kidney function for example?

[mammo]

It sounds like her morning dose is wearing off in the evening.  By giving her the additional dose in the evening this will keep her BP down.  Her doctor is correct with doing this, but if her BP doesn't improve then her doctor needs to know this.