What harm could be done by stopping blood press. meds in favor of herbals & alternative meds?

Question

My 71 yr old dad suffered bleeding stroke in 2002. I'm unsure of which blood press. med he was put on, and he was put on aspirin as well. At a family reunion yesterday, he confided to my sister that he just had a dizzy spell and has been getting them at home. My sister took his blood pressure, 136/115, and was immediately concerned. Dad divulged that he had stopped taking his blood pressure med and cancelled his last scheduled doc's appt, in lieu of the self-medicating regimen my mother has him on with herbal and natural remedies. Mother is rather controlling--could she be in any legal trouble if Dad has a medical emergency or worse as a result of her natural and herbal remedies replacing doctor's prescribed meds? My folks and sisters all live in the same area--the reunion took place 9 hrs away and I was already on the way home when this revelation took place.

Answer 1

I think you need to worry less about the legal ramifications and more about your father's health. I think someone better get to mom and ask her why she's playing around with her husband's life!

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

A great deal of harm could be done by taking him off the blood pressure meds. He needs to be one them while using alternative medicine until the Doctor decides that his treatment is working. Contrary to what someone told you, there indeed IS scientific proof as well as medical validation that alternative medicines do lower blood pressure. I would recommend taking the alt medicine that has this validation, while taking the meds....until the blood pressure is lowered. I have 3 people who can tell you about how a product has lowered their blood pressure to the point where they went off the meds. They will continue with regular check-ups to be sure, but alternative medicine was effective where orthodox medicine failed.

Answer 4

There is no scientific study that shows herbal/alternative tratments for blood pressure have any significant effect. Unfortunately believers in these treatments don't want scientific evidence, after all, they know the truth.

That is putting your dad at risk medically, and should be reported as elder abuse.

Answer 5

Blood pressure medicine is basically a pill loaded with potassium which is the balance to sodium. My husband had really high blood pressure so we did a load of research and found out what foods are super high in potassium, like kiwi fruit and potatoes with the skin on. He ate a lot of these foods and his has dropped ALOT. I would try that, but talk to your doctor.

Answer 6

doesn't sound like his blood pressure is that far out of whack.
they should reschedule an appointment with a REAL doctor though. the dizzy spell could be a number of things. blood sugar, heat, inner ear, another minor stroke, or temporary blockage.
work on your mom and convince her that you'd all feel better if someone did a medical work up on him.
he's lucky to have such caring children:)

Answer 7

That's really hard to say. Is your dad mentally competent? If he is, chances are that your mom could not be held responsible. In any case, your sisters should probably try to talk to your mother and get her to agree to get your dad back into the doctor. High blood pressure is nothing to mess around with, especially at his age.

Answer 8

Though your mother probably won't be in legal trouble I would suggest getting your dad back on real medicine soon. Those herbal cures never work.

Answer 9

Yes. Propanolol.

Answer 10

Highly recommend that you get him back on his meds and remake the appointment with the doctor.....unless she is has a license in medicine I would not change his routine.
And yes the state can press charges if they believe there was any wrong doing.
Please be carefull