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What Do My BP Readings Indicate?
Question: 4 days ago i started 50 mg of losartan potassium as my BP readings were high taken during my physical exam. i relaxed since then and cut out caffeine. Today i had my BP checked before working out and it was 162 over 92. i still did my 5 miles on elliptical and lifted free weights…no abnormal symptoms. I am male 56. Should I be proactive on this reading?
Brief Answer:
Added therapy
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern.
Blood pressure is a highly variable figure, throughout a day. It is prone to various physiological phenomena: physical activity, psychological stress, caffeine-containing beverages, hormonal level changes etc. Before deciding about the therapy, I would recommend a 24-hour blood pressure study, to evaluate how the blood pressure "behaves" throughout a day.
However, if the tendency of the blood pressure figures is to remain higher than 140/90, even when on losartan, I would recommend the addition of an another anti-hypertensive drug, such as atenolol, metoprolol, verapamil or diltiazem, because one of these drugs, besides lowering the blood pressure, also have heart rate-decreasing features, which promotes the diastolic filling, hence decreasing the heart workload. Eventually, if you will be treated with such an additional drug, consult your cardiologist about the dosage and the frequency of taking.
I hope I was helpful with my answer. I would be happy to help, if you have follow-up questions. Please rate the answer, if you do not.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Added therapy
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern.
Blood pressure is a highly variable figure, throughout a day. It is prone to various physiological phenomena: physical activity, psychological stress, caffeine-containing beverages, hormonal level changes etc. Before deciding about the therapy, I would recommend a 24-hour blood pressure study, to evaluate how the blood pressure "behaves" throughout a day.
However, if the tendency of the blood pressure figures is to remain higher than 140/90, even when on losartan, I would recommend the addition of an another anti-hypertensive drug, such as atenolol, metoprolol, verapamil or diltiazem, because one of these drugs, besides lowering the blood pressure, also have heart rate-decreasing features, which promotes the diastolic filling, hence decreasing the heart workload. Eventually, if you will be treated with such an additional drug, consult your cardiologist about the dosage and the frequency of taking.
I hope I was helpful with my answer. I would be happy to help, if you have follow-up questions. Please rate the answer, if you do not.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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