re: Do You Have a Good Blood Pressure?

resloan — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:45:01 GMT

This article mentions one thing I haven't seen before: that low blood pressure in patients with arterial blockages can cause a shortage of blood to the heart and other organs. Some years ago when I was first treated for hypertension I would have angina. My doctor, thinking it was a side-effect of the medication, would simply change the medication. Later, I switched to a different doctor, a DO whom I felt had a more common-sense approach and intuitive grasp of medicine. He immediately sent me to a cardiologist who found the blockages and I got a stent. A few years later I had a mild stroke due to a blockage in a small artery in the brain. My neurologist said my systolic BP should be 120 or less. I have had a real fight trying to achieve this, actually only getting it down to 135 with a double-dose of 2 different meds: lisinopril and atenalol. Untreated it runs up to 180 or so. I also take a blood thinner, plavix, and aspirin. Stress does seem to be a factor, as valium will also lower it. This article was of great interest to me as I would like to find a method that doesn't rely so much on drugs. I have tried garlic, using no table salt, magnesium and potassium w/o much effect.