High Blood Pressure Info

High Blood Pressure Info

High blood pressure is a widely misunderstood  condition. It essentially did not exist 100 years ago!

My first comment regarding HBP is to do all I can to support the patient into lowering it!!

Although I respect their existence, I do not like pharmaceutical medicines because they mask the symptoms as opposed to getting to the root cause(s).

**Problem is that in 95% of the cases documented in the U.S., the underlying cause cannot be determined. This type of high blood pressure is called essential hypertension.

On the other end of the stick, I am also not fond of using natural supplements  for any length of time but may indeed recommend them  for a short period to support my patients as they make the necessary lifestyle changes to permanently reverse this condition on their own accord..

 Every person’s high blood pressure is unique to that individual. Blood pressure is almost a “private thing” with us knowing what we need to do to eliminate it  and just having to bite the bullet and do it.

A Few Surprising Facts:.

Some people think that those with hypertension are tense, nervous or hyperactive, but hypertension has nothing to do with personality traits. The truth is, you can be a calm, relaxed person and still have HBP..

*If your blood pressure reading is higher than normal, your doctor SHOULD take several readings over time and /or have you monitor your blood pressure at home before diagnosing you with high blood pressure.

To get the most accurate reading at your next blood pressure screening, insist the procedure be done properly. Follow these tips given to us courtesy of Dr. David Williams.

  • Do not exercise or eat for 30 minutes before having your blood pressure taken. (Even a cup of coffee can affect readings for several hours after you drink it.)
  • Rest at least five minutes beforehand. You should feel comfortable and relaxed in your surroundings.
  • Have your reading taken in the morning because biological rhythms naturally cause pressures to be higher in the afternoons and evenings.
  • Remove all clothing from the waist up. Just rolling up your shirtsleeve can act like a tourniquet and cause false readings.
  • Ask that your blood pressure include readings taken while you are lying, sitting, and standing. Readings often skyrocket as you change positions, which may signal weak adrenal glands—not high blood pressure.
  • Make sure your elbow is at the same level as your heart. Every doctor and nurse is taught this, but very few check it. An elbow that is even a couple of inches below the heart can make the reading as much as 17 points higher than it should be. There’s no telling how many people have “low elbow” instead of high blood pressure!
  • Have your blood pressure taken three times with at least a one-minute rest between each one.

A single high reading does not necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure. However, if readings stay at 140/90 mm Hg or above (systolic 140 or above OR diastolic 90 or above) over time, your doctor will likely want you to begin a treatment program.

Such a program almost always includes lifestyle changes and often prescription medication for those with readings of 140/90 or higher.  Problem with prescription meds is they are not getting to the root cause of the problem because the root cause has not been determined.

Which number is more important top (systolic) or bottom (diastolic)?

  1. The first # Systolic is when the heart contracts forcing blood into the arteries that are part of the circulatory system. Most attention is given to this number as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease in persons over 50 years old
  2. The second # Diastolic is when the heart returns to rest in between heartbeats.

Heart-Health

** In most people, systolic blood pressure rises steadily with age due to increasing stiffness of large arteries, long-term build-up of plaque, and increased incidence of cardiac and vascular disease. It may be “normal” for older folks to have slightly higher pressure.
At 60 years old, the circulatory system could never be the same as that of a 20 year old.
Other factors that can raise the risk of having essential hypertension include any of the following::
  • Liver
  • Kidneys
  • Heart
  • Nitric Oxide Depletion
  • Sleep Deprivation / Problems
  • Adrenal Insufficiency (Medulla/Cortex)
  • Overweight
  • Alcohol Consumption*
  • Sodium Consumption
  • Potassium/Magnesium
  • Caffeine
  • Diabetes
  • Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio

*Alcohol consumption is a double-edged sword. Some studies indicate it helps lower blood pressure, while others report the opposite. In very small amounts it may lower blood pressure. But if you drink too much, even moderate amounts regularly, blood pressure levels may go up. People who drink more than moderate amounts of alcohol regularly virtually always experience elevated blood pressure levels.

*Research indicates systolic blood pressure levels are about 7-10 mmmHg higher in frequent drinkers than in people who do not drink

 *Here is the 2014 list of Blood Pressure Meds

For those of you on Lisinopril, my suggestion is get off that one asap as it is believed to be the #1 cause of spontaneous dementia in nursing homes

Here is a list of what may work outside the medical model

  • Chiropractic
  • Acupuncture
  • Exercise
  • Diet
  • Weight Loss (The secreting success out of exercise is to do it regularly)
  • Sleep Patterning Reset
  • Stop Drinking Alcohol
  • Hibloderox
  • Meditation*
  • Yoga*
  • TaiChi*
  • Qigong*

*Some research has also concluded that Yoga, TaiChi, Qigong and Meditation can have the same effect as some of the most potent drugs used to lower pressure  

There are 3 bullet points to remember from this post

  1. Cause of High Blood Pressure not determined in 95% of the cases
  2. Blood Pressure is checked incorrectly
  3. The list of blood pressure medications and what they do
For additional information on how Dr. Princetta treats HBP, contact him at 619-231-1778 or Email Him

Blood Pressure Meds List

 

Chemical and Brand Names of Drugs Commonly Used to Treat Hypertension Updated May 2015

The following is a list of the most common drugs and drug combinations used to treat hypertension regardless of the fact that in 95% of the cases the cause of the high blood pressure cannot be determined. The (G) indicates that a generic form  is available.

Diuretics

Diuretics (“water pills”) increase the amount of sodium and water excreted into the urine by the kidneys. It is thought that they lower blood pressure mainly by reducing the volume of fluid in the blood vessels.

Diuretics commonly used for hypertension:

  • Acetazolamide – Diamox
  • Chlorthalidone – Thalidone, also sold as Tenoretic and Clorpres
  • Hydrochlorothiazide – HydroDiuril, also sold as Microzide and Esidrix
  • Indapamide – Lozol
  • Metolazone – Zaroxolyn, also sold as Mykrox

Diuretics less commonly used for hypertension::

* Amiloride hydrochloride (G) – Midamor
* Bumetanide (G) – Bumex
* Ethacrynic acid – Edecrin
* Furosemide (G) – Lasix
* Spironolactone (G) – Aldactone
* Torsemide (G) – Demadex
* Triamterene (G) – Dyrenium

Beta-blockers block the effect of adrenaline on the cardiovascular system, slow the heart rate, and reduce stress on the heart and the arteries.

  • Acebutolol – Sectral
  • Atenolol – Tenormin
  • Betaxolol – Kerlone
  • Bisoprolol – Zebeta, also sold as Ziac
  • Carteolol – Cartrol
  • Carvedilol – Coreg
  • Labetalol – Normodyne, also sold as Trandate
  • Metoprolol – Lopressor, also sold as Toprol
  • Nadolol – Corgard
  • Penbutolol – Levatol
  • Propranolol – Inderal, Inderal LA
  • Timolol – Blocadren

Calcium Channel Blockers can reduce blood pressure by dilating the arteries and, in some cases, reducing the force of the heart’s contractions.

  • Amlodipine – Norvasc, also sold as Caduet and Lotrel
  • Diltiazem – Cardizem, also sold as Dilacor and Tiazac
  • Felodipine – Plendil
  • Isradipine – DynaCirc
  • Nicardipine – Cardene
  • Nifedipine – Procardia XL, also sold as Adalat
  • Nisoldipine – Sular
  • Verapamil hydrochloride – Isoptin, also sold as Calan, Verelan, and Covera

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (the “ACE inhibitors”) can lower blood pressure by dilating the arteries.

  • Benazepril – Lotensin
  • Captopril – Capoten
  • Enalapril – Vasotec, also sold as Vaseretic
  • Fosinopril – Monopril
  • Lisinopril – Prinivil, also sold as Zestril
  • Moexipril – Univasc
  • Quinapril – Accupril
  • Ramipril – Altace
  • Trandolapril – Mavik

Note: Nursing home staff report Lisinopril is the #1 cause of spontaneous dementia in their facilities. There are class action suites pending against the manufacturer Merck and others.

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers

Angiotensin  receptor blockers (the “ARBs”) reduce blood pressure by dilating the arteries.

  • Candesartan – Atacand
  • Irbesartan – Avapro
  • Losartan – Cozaar
  • Telmisartan – Micardis
  • Valsartan – Diovan

Other, Less Commonly Used Hypertension Drugs

* Clonidine (G) – Catapres
* Doxazosin (G) – Cardura
* Guanabenz (G) – Wytensin
* Guanfacine (G) – Tenex
* Hydralazine hydrochloride (G) – Apresoline
* Methyldopa (G) – Aldomet
* Prazosin (G) – Minipress
* Reserpine (G) – Serpasil
* Terazosin (G) – Hytrin

Combination Drugs for Hypertension

Numerous combination drugs have been marketed for hypertension, and it is almost impossible to keep track of new ones that come along, or old ones that fade away. The following is a reasonably complete and up to date list of the most commonly prescribed combination drugs used for hypertension

* Amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide – Moduretic
* Amlodipine and benazepril – Lotrel
* Atenolol and chlorthalidone – Tenoretic
* Benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide – Lotensin HCT
* Bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide – Ziac
* Captopril and hydrochlorothiazide – Capozide
* Enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide – Vaseretic
* Felodipine and enalapril – Lexxel
* Hydralazine and hydrochlorothiazide – Apresazide
* Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide – Prinzide, also sold as Zestoretic
* Losartan and hydrochlorothiazide – Hyzaar
* Methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide – Aldoril
* Metoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide – Lopressor HCT
* Nadolol and bendroflumethiazide – Corzide
* Propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide – Inderide
* Spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide – Aldactazide
* Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide – Dyazide, also sold as Maxide
* Verapamil extended release) and trandolapril – Tarka

By Richard N. Fogoros, M.D.

Updated May 2015