HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

I Am Self Medicating My Blood Pressure Because I Have

default
Posted on Tue, 2 Jul 2019
Question: I am self medicating my blood pressure because I have been told that low blood pressure may contribute to my dizziness. My systolic sometimes gets to 105, diastolic is usually OK. The mode of the systolic would be in the mid 120s. I can't lie down flat on my back without becoming very dizzy. So when my systolic is below 140 I don't take any medicine. When I get up in the middle of the night I need to hang on to something to keep from falling. But in the morning after I have been up for a while I have no problems. Is that a fool's errand, trying to micro my meds?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Please refer to the detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hello Sir

After going through the medical details provided by you I can very well understand your concern for your health and well being and I would like to tell you that the most important factor in your case scenario is your age group sir.

The symptoms which you are explaining and the problem which you are facing is most likely be due to Postural hypotension. As we age our blood vessels get stiff and loose their elasticity due to which when we stand up after lying down the blood get pooled up in the legs there by causing troublesome dizziness and sometimes even syncope. Getting up in a step by step fashion is a very important and useful precaution.

Now if your blood pressure stays around 140 systolic I would rather say it’s a good control at this age and so the medications should surely be adjusted accordingly.

So in nutshell you are going well and just keeping following your routine and avoid getting up suddenly from bed.

Hope to have been helpful.

Kind Regards
Dr Bhanu Partap
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Bhanu Partap (21 hours later)
Thanks for the prompt answer. So,. is it OK then to change my blood pressure med every day, depending upon the morning reading?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Hello again

Detailed Answer:
No I doesn’t mean that you keep changing medications daily as this will not be beneficial.

No need to alter the dose of your medications until your blood pressure goes beyond 150/90 or fall below 100/60mmHg.

I hope this information will guide you properly.

Kind Regards
Dr Bhanu Partap
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Bhanu Partap (23 hours later)
I am still a little confused. For example, this morning my systolic was 127 so I didn't take my med. I didn't mean I change it every day, XXXXXXX nilly, but today, no med and maybe tomorrow no med etc, and maybe next week one day I will need to take it. Is this plan OK?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
medically that’s not the right way

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

No, medically that’s not the right way. Ideally, the dose of medications should be titrated to match your bp needs then the number of drugs should be reduced. And then even after that slowly over a period of months the medications can be tapered off.

The way you are doing will slowly make your body resistant and even make you prone to sudden shoot up of blood pressure which can lead to complications.

So it’s advisable that you should take the assistance of your primary physician in monitoring your bp and then slowly taper your medications off.

Kind Regards

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Bhanu Partap

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 4758 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
I Am Self Medicating My Blood Pressure Because I Have

Brief Answer: Please refer to the detailed answer below Detailed Answer: Hello Sir After going through the medical details provided by you I can very well understand your concern for your health and well being and I would like to tell you that the most important factor in your case scenario is your age group sir. The symptoms which you are explaining and the problem which you are facing is most likely be due to Postural hypotension. As we age our blood vessels get stiff and loose their elasticity due to which when we stand up after lying down the blood get pooled up in the legs there by causing troublesome dizziness and sometimes even syncope. Getting up in a step by step fashion is a very important and useful precaution. Now if your blood pressure stays around 140 systolic I would rather say it’s a good control at this age and so the medications should surely be adjusted accordingly. So in nutshell you are going well and just keeping following your routine and avoid getting up suddenly from bed. Hope to have been helpful. Kind Regards Dr Bhanu Partap