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Suggest Ways To Manage High BP Levels
Question: I have been taking linsonopril for quite a few years because my top bp number is elevated. I am 63 I work out 3 to 4 times a week by playing ball. I do resistance training and I eat lots of veggies and lean protein. My ekg's indicate a healthy heart. My resting heart rate is usually high 40's to low 50's. My bottom number is always great usually mid 60's It is my top number that elevates and fluctuates greatly. I have recently begun checking my bp during the day because I want to make sure I Have a healthy heart. I am a financial advisor. In the morning when I start my day the top number will be 150 to 159 sometimes just over 160. Then I take it again and it goes down some. as the day progresses it will gradually go down to below 140 while still at work. If I workout and go home it will often go down to 120 to 125. The bottom number is always around the mid 60's and my heart rate resting stays pretty constant. I was taking 40 linsonopril buti had my doctor give me twice the number at 20 milligrams because my goal is to get off bp meds and improve my heart health.
I am going to continue recording my bp using 40 versus 20 but so far I see little difference. By monitoring it will help me and my doctor improve my heart health. My dad is 90 and has had elevated top number for years. Is my heart healthy? And what should I do to improve that top number where it is good all day.
I am going to continue recording my bp using 40 versus 20 but so far I see little difference. By monitoring it will help me and my doctor improve my heart health. My dad is 90 and has had elevated top number for years. Is my heart healthy? And what should I do to improve that top number where it is good all day.
Brief Answer:
blood pressure management
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I appreciate your concern of your health and keeping your Blood pressure with in normal limits. Non-pharmacological methods of decreasing blood pressure include the following.
Weight loss helps to prevent hypertension (range of approximate systolic BP reduction [SBP], 5-20 mm Hg per 10 kg); recommendations include the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet (range of approximate SBP reduction, 8-14 mm Hg), which is rich in fruits and vegetables and encourages the use of fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products
Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 oz (30 mL) of ethanol per day for men (ie, 24 oz [720 mL] of beer, 10 oz [300 mL] of wine, 2 oz [60 mL] of 100-proof whiskey) and people of lighter weight (range of approximate SBP reduction, 2-4 mm Hg)
Reduce sodium intake to no more than 100 mmol/d (2.4 g sodium or 6 g sodium chloride; range of approximate SBP reduction, 2-8 mm Hg)[7]
Maintain adequate intake of dietary potassium (approximately 90 mmol/d)
Maintain adequate intake of dietary calcium and magnesium for general health
Stop smoking and reduce intake of dietary saturated fat and cholesterol for overall cardiovascular health
Engage in aerobic exercise at least 30 minutes per day.
you may already be working through all these methods of reducing Blood pressure and if despite all these measures your Blood pressure of top value remains greater than 140, then you have to keep on lisinopril 20 mg. Whether you should be on 20 mg or 40 mg again depends on how much your early morning upper value of BP is and how much difference does it make. If after consistent careful measurements, you feel there is not much difference between 20 mg and 40 mg for you, you may continue with 20 mg lisinopril. Since your ECG is fine, your heart should also be fine. I hope this answers your question.
Dr. Khan
blood pressure management
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I appreciate your concern of your health and keeping your Blood pressure with in normal limits. Non-pharmacological methods of decreasing blood pressure include the following.
Weight loss helps to prevent hypertension (range of approximate systolic BP reduction [SBP], 5-20 mm Hg per 10 kg); recommendations include the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet (range of approximate SBP reduction, 8-14 mm Hg), which is rich in fruits and vegetables and encourages the use of fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products
Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 oz (30 mL) of ethanol per day for men (ie, 24 oz [720 mL] of beer, 10 oz [300 mL] of wine, 2 oz [60 mL] of 100-proof whiskey) and people of lighter weight (range of approximate SBP reduction, 2-4 mm Hg)
Reduce sodium intake to no more than 100 mmol/d (2.4 g sodium or 6 g sodium chloride; range of approximate SBP reduction, 2-8 mm Hg)[7]
Maintain adequate intake of dietary potassium (approximately 90 mmol/d)
Maintain adequate intake of dietary calcium and magnesium for general health
Stop smoking and reduce intake of dietary saturated fat and cholesterol for overall cardiovascular health
Engage in aerobic exercise at least 30 minutes per day.
you may already be working through all these methods of reducing Blood pressure and if despite all these measures your Blood pressure of top value remains greater than 140, then you have to keep on lisinopril 20 mg. Whether you should be on 20 mg or 40 mg again depends on how much your early morning upper value of BP is and how much difference does it make. If after consistent careful measurements, you feel there is not much difference between 20 mg and 40 mg for you, you may continue with 20 mg lisinopril. Since your ECG is fine, your heart should also be fine. I hope this answers your question.
Dr. Khan
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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