meds for 2 problems

[scag]

hi i am a 29 year old male overweight about 60 pounds i had an episode of afib about 8 months ago,had all the tests run everything was unremarkable,so the cardio put me on 50 mg of atenolol 2 times a day havent had any problems since,i went to my gp and had a physical everything was fine but my bp reading then was 149/84,he said to come back in a month to recheck i just went back and my reading was 153/84,and he said i should try hydrochlorothiazide,in terms a water pill i guess,my question is could that episode of afib been because i high blood pressure?,i have talked to a dr friend of the family and he told me that reading of 153/84 doesnt warrent meds?also isnt atenolol a high bp med? should i be on both?or should i even be on any? i am confused dont want to take pills if i dont have to
thank you

[bama jane]

Thanks for taking the time to comment on my question.

[abasketcase]

Hello scag! I am a 25 yr old female. Trust me, it is critical that you start caring for yourself now before it is too late. In July 2003, I had my yearly gyn visit and it was discoved that my bp was very high. I knew I just didn't feel good, had horrible headaches and was always tired, but high bp was for old people, not me. I generally try to avoid dr's at all cost, I only go for birth control and when I am deathly ill. My dr immediatly called the paramedics and had me taken to the hospital where I spent a few days chilling and getting doped up. My bp was 230/150. I later learned most people have strokes when the bottom number hits 160. I was told I could have been at work, got kinda ticked at my boss and stroked out. That was my wakeup call. I am too young to be a carrot! I now have numerous other issues that have to be dealt with that may or may not be related to my bp, but I can say they didn't exist, as far as I know, before July 2002. I was carrying around about 50 extra lbs, my favorite food was fries and Mountain Dews, and exercise was non-existant. Now I have lost the weight, ditched the birth control, added 2 miles of walking a day, and lost all drinks but water, milk and juice, but my health issues multiplied. I gained alot by this experience...a cardiologist, a lung specialist, a kidney specialist, an eye dr, a pharmacist I am on a first name basis with, and at last count 12 pills a day, sometimes more. Please take care of yourself, I see enough dr's for both of us and half of the country.
God Bless!
katie the basket

[bama jane]

To finish what I was saying before I had an ep study that failed.  I have misbeats that I feel all day long, and that keep me awake at night.  Take a small dose of atenenol.  This came on suddenly 4 years ago at age 48 and no one has been able to tell me why, does anyone know of any disease or condition that can cause this many arrhythmias?  The doctors have all said that none of this should kill me, but it really does affect the quality of life as everyone knows. I read this often to see if I can find anything of help.  Even sent my records to Dr. Natalie at Cleveland Clinic but he said couldn't help me.  Guess they can't fix them all so why take the risk for soemthing that isn't life threatening. I just think there is an underlying cause and if someone could figure that out maybe there would be some thing that could make it better. My father had svt that has now turned into a fib, but he also has copd so that may be why he has afib as well.  Also daily chest pain that statred with taking heart drugs. Would like to know if anyone else has these different kinds of arrhythmias

[bama jane]

I have tried to post for over a year and haven't been successful. I have numerous arrhythmias.  Sinus tachycardia, paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, pac's trigeminy, bygeminy, wandering pace maker single pac's, a few pvc's junctional rhythms. accelerated junctional rhythms.  Have normal echos, strees tests, nuclear heart scan, supr fast ct scan didn't show any blockage. They did an ep study but could onnly produce sinus yachycardia of about 150.   It has been as high as 160 and once at 196 for a few beats.

[scag]

thanks dr for your reply i guess i can understand that point better just that all this is a little upsetting as im sure you can imagine,i have lost 27 pounds so far and i hope i can get off all meds,my doc seems to think the only cause of this hypertension is my weight,i hope he is right?

[Cleveland Clinic]

Thats supposed to be no offense. :)

[Cleveland Clinic]

While I meant to offense. My bedside manner is to be honest and to look out for my patients. I am a cardiologist and treat people every day with heart problems that are the result of modifable risk factors.

Some docs might try to sugar coat the facts and tell you your 60 pounds and hypertension aren't all that bad.  I can't sugar coat the truth, you are on a crash course and you are also in a position to change it. You are 29, you are obese and have high blood pressure. Your episode of atrial fibrillation may even have been related to your high blood pressure.

My recommendations stand, again (with apologies if it offends you): I would look to other causes of hypertension and try to impress upon you the urgency of your health situation if you do not move to modify those factors now which might poise you for severe health problems later in life.

[scag]

i apprteciate your reply,but i think the phrase(on a crash course for catastrophy is a little rediculous,and not well thought out?dont you think?

[scag]

i know what you meant is realistic but the bedisde manner there was hardley present,i mean i said my bp was 154/82 not 210/120,im asking yourt opinion as to how high that is,and what else could be causing hbp?i had a physical mith my dr is that enough or not?

[Jacci4]

Thanks Hank,
I guess I left out a few things.  I also have mild left ventricular hypertrophy and untreated my BP was as high as 180/110.  I also became plagued with PVC's (seems like everyone is).  I was just wondering whether it would be beneficial for me to pursue trying to get my B/P even lower than it currently is.  So far the nuerologist is the only one recommending a lower B/P.  My internist and cardio both still adher to the older guidelines.  Maybe it depends on how high it was to start with. As usual, I'm confused about what to do.  Thanks a bunch Hank.
Pat

[Jacci4]

Hi Hank,
I think I read the same info that you did about the new guidelines for BP control.  The funny thing is when I brought this up to my cardio he seemed to be unaware of the new recommendations.  Also I have been having episodes where my blood pressure gets up to 160/100 when I am upset or anxious. When I am relaxed the readings are around 120-130/75-90.  Even though I have had a mild stroke and a TIA, he still says that first of all blood pressure is treated based on your readings at home and that my blood pressure is low enough.  He said if he trys to get it any lower I won't be able to tolerate the side effects.  I have so much trouble with  doctors, I sometimes don't know what I should be doing.  How did you manage to get yours so low?  Was there a time when you were getting readings about like mine and you and your doctor still kept experimenting?  I don't know if I should give up or get another doctor.
jacci

[Cleveland Clinic]

scag,

at 29 with obesity and hypertension you are on a crash course for catastrophe unless you make drastic lifestyle changes now. you should discuss with your general practioner an aggressive weight loss and exercise program. this will probably do wonders for your blood pressure.

with respect to your pressure and meds. First your are pretty young to develop hypertension, even with obesity. You should make sure to have a thorough history and physical to ensure nothing else is going on. Its often common to need more then one medication for blood pressure control. That said, you should start with one medication and maximize it before adding on others. i would probably start with a diuretic. i also would probably give you a chance at weight loss before instututing a medication.

good luck

its never too late to start taking care of yourself!