Brief Answer:
Patients do not generally feel the effect of medications for high blood pressure but they are very beneficial

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,

I carefully read your query and understand your concern.

Lisinopril is a medication that treats high blood pressure and by doing so, it helps prevent strokes.

Patients with high blood pressure do not have any symptoms most of the time and taking the blood pressure medications may seem like it is not helping. On the other hand, high blood pressure is a silent killer, which means that it affects the patients even if they do not feel any symptoms.

So, I would advise you to use Lisinopril regularly, even though it seems it is not helping. Lisinopril works on the blood pressure and it also protects the heart and kidneys from being damaged by the high blood pressure and also prevents strokes (this is very important in your case, due to previous strokes).

If the blood pressure is not well controlled with Lisinopril, there are several other medications that can be added to Lisinopril.

To conclude:

- it is very important to take Lisinopril daily as the doctor has already prescribed it as it treats high blood pressure and it protects your heart and kidneys from the damaging effect of high blood pressure

- if you run out, please call your doctor and arrange that you may restart it as soon as possible.

- if your blood pressure remains high even after taking Lisinopril, there are other drugs to add and you should talk to your doctor which is the best choice in your case

I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.

Regards,

Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

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Brief Answer:
Detailed answer on possible treatments and examinations below

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,

I understand your frustration with the blood pressure being high. Sometimes, the blood pressure may remain high even though the patient takes medications and this makes it more difficult for them to continue the treatment.
In your case, you mentioned only Lisinopril, I am not sure if you have used other medications and which.
Lisinopril is generally combined with a diuretic such as hydrochlorothiazide for a better effect. If these two together do not work well enough, a third medication is added such as amlodipine.
Lifestyle measures are very important as well, being normal weight, not smoking, not using alcohol, etc.
If all these do not reduce the blood pressure under 140/90 mmHg then a fourth blood pressure medication is added such as an alfa blocker.

These all should be under the guidance of your doctor and regular follow-ups are needed.

Also, because you have vision changes, dizziness, and headaches, it is good to have some tests and examinations such as:
- TSH and FT4 to check for the thyroid function
- CBC and ERS to rule out anemia
- metabolic profile (liver function tests, kidney function tests, lipids, sugar levels, etc) to see your health in general
- a heart and lung examination with ECG, heart ultrasound, chest x-ray, lung function tests (spirometry) to evaluate the cause of the shortness of breath.
- a good neurological examination is important in cases of headache

I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.

Regards,

Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

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