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Question: I'm male, 60 years old. This morning I drank my 1 of two daily cups of coffee and could tell my blood pressure shot up, because I was suddenly dizzy and light headed. Went to town and check my BP. It was 155/95.
What should I do? Should I TAKE BP medicine while I try to cut back on salt, lower stress and exercise? Or should I do these things without the medicine? (I'm about 20 lbs overweight)
Will taking BP medicine lower my life expectancy?
What should I do? Should I TAKE BP medicine while I try to cut back on salt, lower stress and exercise? Or should I do these things without the medicine? (I'm about 20 lbs overweight)
Will taking BP medicine lower my life expectancy?
Brief Answer:
This symptoms are due to hypertension
Detailed Answer:
Hello welcome to HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
I think the symptoms you have described are due to hypertension only. Usually our blood pressure is maximum in the morning. At the age above 60 blood pressure of 140/90 mmhg is tolerable but persistent blood pressure more than that should be treated.
My advice to you is -
1. Start daily brisk walking upto 1 hour in the morning. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Avoid consuming excessive salt and oily food. Check your blood pressure while resting for 15 days.. Weight reduction will help to reduce blood pressure.
2.Ask your doctor to do your 24 hrs blood pressure monitoring (ambulatory). It will give you perfect idea of your blood pressure fluctuations. Then decision to start treatment will be easy.
3.Do not worry your blood pressure is not to high to be controlled. Taking blood pressure medications will not at all reduce your life expectancy, rather it will increase your life expectancy.
So, I hope you have got satisfactory answer of your queries. If you have any questions, you are always welcome.
Thank you.
Have a nice day.
This symptoms are due to hypertension
Detailed Answer:
Hello welcome to HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
I think the symptoms you have described are due to hypertension only. Usually our blood pressure is maximum in the morning. At the age above 60 blood pressure of 140/90 mmhg is tolerable but persistent blood pressure more than that should be treated.
My advice to you is -
1. Start daily brisk walking upto 1 hour in the morning. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Avoid consuming excessive salt and oily food. Check your blood pressure while resting for 15 days.. Weight reduction will help to reduce blood pressure.
2.Ask your doctor to do your 24 hrs blood pressure monitoring (ambulatory). It will give you perfect idea of your blood pressure fluctuations. Then decision to start treatment will be easy.
3.Do not worry your blood pressure is not to high to be controlled. Taking blood pressure medications will not at all reduce your life expectancy, rather it will increase your life expectancy.
So, I hope you have got satisfactory answer of your queries. If you have any questions, you are always welcome.
Thank you.
Have a nice day.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you. So just to be sure I understand. Excersion or short intense exercise, giving me 'out of breath' and 'no oxygen' feeling CAN BE CAUSED by hypertension?
To be sure I understand. 155/95 is NOT high enough to be put on medication?
This morning I skipped the coffee but STILL had some dizziness, light headed and a little pounding feeling in my head for about 5 seconds on four different times.
Thanks.
To be sure I understand. 155/95 is NOT high enough to be put on medication?
This morning I skipped the coffee but STILL had some dizziness, light headed and a little pounding feeling in my head for about 5 seconds on four different times.
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Go for 2D Echo
Detailed Answer:
Hello welcome to HCM.
I understand your question and concerns about breathlessness during exertion.
My advice to you is -
1. Persistent blood pressure above 150/90 mmhg should be treated with medication if not controlled by diet and exercise.
2.Breathlessness during walking and out of oxygen feeling can be due to high blood pressure but it may be due to age related dysfunction of heart. (don't worry it's found in many persons after 60 years)
So, my advice is Kindly go for 2 d echo (sonography of heart) which will give your doctor proper idea regarding pumping and relaxation of your heart.
Don't worry your symptoms will be definitely cured once blood pressure will be normal during exertion. But go for 2d echo at least.
Thank you.
If you have any queries then you are always welcome. I hope I have given you satisfactory answer, if you feel same, kindly rate the answer.
Have a nice day.
Go for 2D Echo
Detailed Answer:
Hello welcome to HCM.
I understand your question and concerns about breathlessness during exertion.
My advice to you is -
1. Persistent blood pressure above 150/90 mmhg should be treated with medication if not controlled by diet and exercise.
2.Breathlessness during walking and out of oxygen feeling can be due to high blood pressure but it may be due to age related dysfunction of heart. (don't worry it's found in many persons after 60 years)
So, my advice is Kindly go for 2 d echo (sonography of heart) which will give your doctor proper idea regarding pumping and relaxation of your heart.
Don't worry your symptoms will be definitely cured once blood pressure will be normal during exertion. But go for 2d echo at least.
Thank you.
If you have any queries then you are always welcome. I hope I have given you satisfactory answer, if you feel same, kindly rate the answer.
Have a nice day.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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