I can't seem to get my diastolic BP lower than 96-100.?

Question

The lower number that represents the ability of the heart to relax is continually high. Lisinopril doesn't help! The systolic I can control - 120-130 .

Answer 1

You are saying you are already on Lisinopril and it doesn't seem to have any effect on your Diastolic hypertension, then let your cardiologist know about this. Unfortunately here on Yahoo Answers we can only advise you on general measures to keep your heart healthier, eg diet and excercise.
Your cardiologist might consider changing your drug group. Lisinopril and Captopril come from Angiotension-Converting-Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE inhibitors).
The drug group I would actually try you on if I was your cardiologist is called Angiotensin II Receiptor Antagonists eg Cozaar, Candesartan, etc.
Explaining to you how these 2 drug groups differ from each other might be too much for you. Do consult your cardiologist.

Answer 2

If you are on Lisinopril, you are being followed by a doctor, you may want to consult him to determine if your diastolic pressure needs to be lower. Generally, medical providers do not stress over the diastolic numbers since there is little to do about it and it doesn't affect your immediate health.

The diastolic BP is the pressure in your vessels of the circulating blood when the heart isn't contracting. It generally reflects the following: your age (it gets higher when you get older, particularly after 60). It also reflects stress. Meaning...if you are anxious, moving (exercising) or smoking, it will tend to be higher than when you are resting. It also reflects the amount of atherosclerosis in your vasculature (veins) and this is why it often is higher in older people. It should naturally be lower in young people since their veins are more stretchy than older people. Sometimes, the diastolic can be very low. This reflects, medications or certain types of advanced heart disease. Very low (40's) is not good. Above 90-100 isn't so great either. However, you can't change it really.

Rather than worry about something you can't change, just watch what you eat and don't smoke. These are factors that you can control completely. The systolic pressure of 120-130 is controlled I would suspect by your doctor.

Just be as healthy as you can. Eat right, exercise, don't smoke, these are three factors that you can control completely and will make all of the difference in the long run. Any other questions....ask your doctor. He will understand. Often, people worry about the stuff that they don't have too.

Answer 3

Sounds like it might be time for some coronary stents. That's exactly what my problem was. I always took blood pressure medication that worked fine for 20 years. Then all of a sudden, it went out of control. My doctor kept adding different medications to no resolve. So a trip to the cath lab and a stent or two later and alls well. Old medication now working fine again. Sometimes a little too well and it drops a bit more than it needs to.

Answer 4

Not necessarily. Without knowing anything else about you, it is hard to say. It depends on what your normal blood pressure is, and what medications you're on. Mine runs that low normally, and it has all my life without any ill effect, but I am otherwise completely healthy. If you're taking blood pressure medication, and your blood pressure is that low, you may need to not take your medication until your blood pressure climbs back up. Check with your doctor before doing this however. I'm an ER nurse, and if my normally hypertensive patient had a blood pressure of 90/60, I would withold his blood pressure until his blood pressure was a little higher. Nevertheless, even if 90/60 was not your normal BP, it is not dangerously low (yet). Your blood pressure is still high enough to perfuse your brain and all of your vital organs.

Answer 5

The position seems to be alarming. It is difficult to tell you any medication without knowing the full history i.e.. your age, smoking and alcoholic habits, diet habits, medications taken so far, etc.

Only general precautions can be told.
Do not take high sodium food - you should have complete salt free diet.
Stop cigarette and alcoholic drinks
Daily walking for atleast 45 to 60 minutes.
You will surely see some improvement if you adhere to the above.

Your are already taking Lisinopril. what dosage you are taking. You may increase it if approved by your doctor. Other medications which may be tried are -

- ACE inhibitors such as captopril, enalapril, fosinopril (Monopril®), lisinopril (Zestril®), quinapril, ramipril (Altace®)
- Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs): eg, irbesartan (Avapro®), losartan (Cozaar®), valsartan (Diovan®)
- Alpha blockers such as doxazosin, prazosin, or terazosin
- Beta blockers such as atenolol, labetalol, metoprolol (Lopressor®)
- Calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc®), diltiazem, verapamil
- Diuretics: eg, bendroflumethiazide, chlortalidone,
hydrochlorothiazide (also called HCTZ)

Your doctor might have tried some of the above, and finally given lisinopril. I once again suggest you to consult your doctor and act as per his advise.

Answer 6

Go and see your GP. You probably need the dose highering.
I was started off on lisinopril (after years of excellent control on atenolol) and my BP went all over the place. Two increases of dose later my BP is now stable so it can happen :)

Answer 7

Please, PLEASE have them check two reasons for hard to control hypertension: adrenal adenoma and renal artery dysplasia. If they find it is one of those, with correction your BP would go to normal. So many doctors these days just throw meds at a problem rather than do a thorough evaluation of the possibilities.

Answer 8

Don't believe that is correct

Answer 9

For info---> http://www.my-medical-store.com

Answer 10

very interesting question