Blood pressure question,help please?

Question

My husband is 65 and in pretty good health. His blood pressure has been okay but occasionally was 130/90. Last week his pressure spiked to 210/150 and we went to the hospital. They addmited him and brought the pressure down. They did a cardiac cat scan, ultras sound of the heart, several ekg and blood tests. He was discharged and put on 25mg of metratroporal. The next day he went to his regular doctor and he put him on 50 mg. and did a kidney test. His blood pressure was fine for a few days and is now l40/95. He called the doctor and he said to take more medication. Does it take a while to regulate blood pressure? We are at a loss as to what is going on. This is our first experience with hypertension. Do you think all of the tests which came out fine, are enough? Are we missing any? Also, his stomach is upset today, does the medication do this? Should he have had a cat scan of the brain? Thank you very much.

Answer 1

Unfortunately hypertension does tend to be a fairly normal part of aging and while serious, is typically easily treated. You stated that his BP was down to 140/95. This is considered moderately high, although not dangerous. What you may find is that it may take some time to find the right medication or combination of medications that provide the results you want with the fewest side effects.
The medication he is currently taking is a beta blocker which slows the rate of the heart. Since the heart isn't working so hard all the time the BP tends to lower itself. Frequently a beta blocker isn't enough all by itself and the physician may add a diuretic or even an ace inhibitor. This is all very, very common.
You are going to have to let the medication do its job, give it some time and if the one medication doesn't lower the BP enough then he, as I mentioned, will probably be given a second medication to complement the first one.
As the others have stated, less stress, more exercise, less fat and sugar, losing weight, all those things help, but stick with the medications and monitor his blood pressure at least once a week once you have it stabilized.

Answer 2

In some people it does take a while to get blood pressure regulated. Sometimes different medications must be tried and discarded until the right one is found.
If all his tests are showing nothing, I would think the Doctors would have recommended a program of walking and proper diet.
If walking does not raise your husband's bp, then it is the best medicine in the world for him.
If he is overweight, he should try to lose some pounds.
Avoid salty and/or high fat foods.
I am not familiar with that medication, but I have listed a link so you can look up the side effects of any medications he was given.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Oh boy, lots of questions! Ok, it sounds like your husband has what is termed primary hypertension-this means that they have ruled out any possible causes that can be readily fixed, and it is likely due to long term hardening of the arteries. This is a normal part of the aging process but of course can be influenced by lifestyle and diet.
There are many many blood pressure medications out there. It sounds like he was started on a class of drugs called beta blockers, which are a good start. However, each person responds to medications in different ways, and he may need to try a few (or be on more than one) to keep his blood pressure in a normal range. This should of course be done under the proper medical supervision. If he is experiencing excessive stomach discomfort he should let his doc know, another drug may be as effective without as many side effects.
You are doing what you are supposed to be doing. Encourage your husband to get exercise, and to eat a low fat, low salt diet. The long term effects of hypertension can be severe (especially heart failure and stroke) so he should do everything possible (lifestyle and meds) to make sure that his blood pressure stays in normal range. Good luck!

Answer 4

I can't think of a reason why high blood sugar would cause low blood pressure, but they might have a mutual cause. For example, dehydration can lower blood pressure and raise blood sugar. An illness can do both, too. Have you been sick? Also, have you been diagnosed diabetic? That's a firmly diabetic reading, if accurate. Unless you're on a medication, like a steroid, there's no reason why a non-diabetic should ever be that high.

Answer 5

Ihave heart dease and take my blood pressure ofter, do you use a arm band pressure monitor, if not buy one from lloyds pharmacy , they are only £10 and give an accurat blood pressure, any other type is inacurate, i am 61 and have just come out of hospital after my third angiogram, and my blood pressure was checked three times a day, any where between 113/56 to 140/ 78 is ok so do not be worried if your husbands blood pressure varies , it will over the cource of the day. But if it gets to high or to low get in touch with your doctor immediatly.

Answer 6

My heart goes out to you and I know how scared you must be for him.

When the drugstore fills prescriptions they should provide a fact sheet that will tell you the answers to side effects and how long it will take till medication takes effect.

I WOULD NOT TAKE ANY CHANCES THOUGH. YOU CALL HIS DOCTOR FIRST THING IN THE MORNING AND TELL THEM ......ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. Ask how long will it be before you hear back from them (in case you have to run to the store)
If they do not call back within a few hours call again,again,again all in the same day before they close. This is your husband and you need answers.

Better yet call the Doctor Now!!!!!! My husband is 70 years old. I have been through a lot with him but had it not been for my insisting doctors, nurses or whomever I was dealing with to give me answers that moment I would not have him now.

Go to the search on yahoo and put in his medication and or look on the bottle and see what pharmaceutical company made the drug and pull the company up on the net and it will have a list of drugs they make and find his drug.
Go to American Heart Association web site
www.americanheart.org

Do not let another day go by without them answering your question.
Take care of you because he needs you to be strong.

Answer 7

I suggest the following

1. Buy a blood pressure machine (about $50)

2. Measure blood pressure 3-5 times a day. Write them down with date and time. Take it with you when you go to the doctor.

3. Cut down on salt

4. Do meditation 2-3 times a day (About 15 minutes each)

5. Learn to relax. Do not take anything seriously. Stress will contribute to your blood pressure.

6. The medication will take about 2-3 weeks to stabilize and give a baseline reading.

7. Blood pressure is going to be for life. So take it easy and relax.The doctor is going to add 1-2 more medications on top of this, before everything comes back to normal.

8. Good luck

Answer 8

Yes, it takes approximately three weeks or more for the medication to take good effect. It sounds like his doctor is very competent and ordered the correct diagnostics. Make certain that the medication is taken everyday at the same time, as the doctor ordered. Reduce stress, follow a healthy diet, exercise and be optimistic. I believe that he is receiving good care and if you have any concerns do not hesitate to call the doctor. That's what he's there for!

Answer 9

the medication will upset his stomach for a bit,he must also go on a fat free diet,no fried foods,and cut allot of junk food out.see a dietitian for help on that.take coated aspirin every day for rest of life 81mg,i had heart surgery minor,i was 49. i went off of same medication your husband is on and went to see an herbalist for help i feel allot better and never think of a cat scan.drink lots of water cheerios and apples are good to help keep pressure down

Answer 10

Seems like since his BP spiked to 210/150 he may have some renal artery blockage, may be good idea to ask your m.d.if he considered renal arteries and kidneys when evaluating for uncontrolled hypertension.
Hope this helps,good luck.