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My blood pressure has been running high 145 over 95 and I ...

Sent to Health Experts November 12 05:45 PM

My blood pressure has been running high 145 over 95 and I am on beta blockers (Ziac 5mg), so my Dr. gave me Benicar 40mg with the ziac so that my bottom number would go down. It has gone down alot but this morning I woke with my heart rate at 101bpm and my pressure at 155 over 99. I drank alot of alcohol lastnight and ate pretty bad. I took my pills and it went down again. Does high blood pressure cause long or short term damage and if so can it be reversed with medication?

 

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Male , Age: 38

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November 12 5:59 PM (14 minutes and 13 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Hi--glad to help:

-Hypertension [high BP] generally causes LONG-term damage, and it tends to be gradual [meaning that VISIBLE damage-effects are not seen, unless one has had uncontrolled hypertension for years...usually over 10-12 yrs].

-In the SHORT-term, hi BP can cause: headaches; dizziness; anxiety or unsettled feelings, but these are not any permanent or significant changes.

-In the LONG-term, HTN can lead to:

  • Left Ventricular Hypertrophy [thickening of the LV chamber of the heart--this can ultimately lead to Heart Failure]
  • Cerebro-Vascular Hemorrhage [i.e. Strokes]
  • Heart Attacks
  • Coronary Artery Dz [i.e. clogging of the arteries of the heart]
  • Cardiac Arrhythmias
  • Sudden Cardiac Death
  • Increased chance of diabetes
  • Retinal (eye) damage
  • Kidney damage

As you can see--these are SERIOUS complications; this is why most MDs will stress that you get your BP under control...to AVOID these major complications.

Here's a link:

http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/hypertension.jsp

I hope you found this to be helpful-IF SO, please hit **ACCEPT** as you read this Answer. (Positive Feedbacks appreciated also). THANKS !

(also-you can ask a followup Q, if you need to)

Best Wishes for your Health,

--Dr. Steve

 

 



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Reply
November 12 8:42 PM (2 hours and 42 minutes and 58 seconds later)
         
Reply to Dr. Steve's Post: so if I get it under control will it fix any damage that was done before hand? What are good numbers, becuase you have me scared now? Is moderate alcohol comsumption alright?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
November 12 9:58 PM (1 hour and 15 minutes and 29 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

Hi-

At YOUR age, I strongly DOUBT that any of the serious (long-term) damage has taken place--HIGHLY unlikely [usually takes over 10-12, even 15+ years of POOR control: like higher than 180/120 type numbers]. But to answer your question--No, most of the long-term damage is NOT reversible once it takes place: so PREVENTION is the key.

Ideal Numbers: 110-130 (for systolic); and 72-86 (for diastolic--bottom #); THIS is the range you should try to maintain BP at least 70-80% of time; Impossible to do 100% of time [for example--during exercise; sex; emotional upset--everyone's BP shoots over this].

Moderate alcohol: this is fine, as long as you don't exceed 7-8 drinks/week, on average. In fact, several studies have shown benefits [to the heart] of moderate intake of red wines.

You don't need to be scared off by these data--but think of it as a Good "Warning Sign", to take preventive action; and get your BP under control.

[I'm being treated for high BP myself--on meds--and I'm a few years older than you, so I face the same consequences..but I've gotten it under pretty good control within past 6-7 months.]

Good luck.

I hope you found this to be helpful-IF SO, please hit **ACCEPT** as you read this Answer. (Positive Feedbacks appreciated also). THANKS !

(also-you can ask a followup Q, if you need to)

Best Wishes for your Health,

--Dr. Steve

 



Edited by Dr. Steve on November 12 2006 at 9:59 PM

If you found this helpful Please click the *ACCEPT*   button and leave *Positive* feedback.
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