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Can BP Regulation Managed With Losartan Dosage Taken For The Past 5 Days Be Discontinued And Managed With L-Arginine And Diet?
Question: im a 26 yr old male, 5 foot 10, 215 lbs. I recently saw my cardiologist on the 21st because I was worried about my bp. It's been 140/90 for about 6 months to a year (I'm not too sure of exact times). he said he wants me to lose weight (I was 225 at the time of the visit, and a few months back was 238). I do workout and powerlift and am pretty muscular but also did have some fat on me. I don't smoke, I dont drink, I don't do drugs, no diabetes, and my diet is fairly good. I do indulge but haven't since seeing my cardiologist. he put me on 25 mg of losartan and told me to not workout until the meds kick in as he doesn't want me to have a stroke. Is this necessary at my age with my history, or should I just try natural things first such as L Arginine and eating more celery? I have only been on the losartan for 5 nights, is it ok to come off or do I have to ween off?
Brief Answer:
Explained below
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Normal blood pressure values should be less than 120 mmHg for systolic and less than 80 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure. When the values are greater than 130 mmHg for systolic and more than 80 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure, it has to do with hypertension.
Now as your BP values are not single and isolated numbers, but have been your usual trend for at least a year, it seems that it does not have to do with any false conclusion as is the case with white coat hypertension.
Coming to this point, the most important issue is properly controlling those abnormally high BP values, as they may become harmful if left untreated for a long period of time. The easiest and fastest way to achieve this goal is by means of antihypertensive drugs.
Starting a low dose of Losartan seems to be a rational alternative, but it's not enough. I also agree with your doctor that properly controlling your body weight could bring it to a more stable result. Following your actual healthy life-style and diet is a further assurance that your future cardiovascular risk of stroke and myocardial infarction will remain quite low and irrelevant.
Nevertheless, I recommend you to be careful with power-lifting especially until you reach a controlled BP level, as it may exacerbate severe hypertensive bouts which may be dangerous. Natural remedy is quite beneficial and strongly encouraged coupled with weight control. They have resulted successful in many cases, avoiding such ways may lead to the need for medications.
I also personally recommend that you initially use both strategies (drugs and natural measurements), for the reason that the daily Losartan dose is quite small. Of course you may stop it cold turkey in case you refuse this strategy or experience any potential adverse effects. But, until you have not gained a new body weight balance, I believe that relying only on natural measurements could be insufficient.
Nevertheless, the best way to decide the most appropriate strategy to follow would be to closely monitor your BP values and periodically discuss it with the doctor.
Hope I have answered your query. In case of any further questions, do not hesitate to ask me again.
Regards,
Dr. Ilir Sharka,
Cardiologist
Explained below
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Normal blood pressure values should be less than 120 mmHg for systolic and less than 80 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure. When the values are greater than 130 mmHg for systolic and more than 80 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure, it has to do with hypertension.
Now as your BP values are not single and isolated numbers, but have been your usual trend for at least a year, it seems that it does not have to do with any false conclusion as is the case with white coat hypertension.
Coming to this point, the most important issue is properly controlling those abnormally high BP values, as they may become harmful if left untreated for a long period of time. The easiest and fastest way to achieve this goal is by means of antihypertensive drugs.
Starting a low dose of Losartan seems to be a rational alternative, but it's not enough. I also agree with your doctor that properly controlling your body weight could bring it to a more stable result. Following your actual healthy life-style and diet is a further assurance that your future cardiovascular risk of stroke and myocardial infarction will remain quite low and irrelevant.
Nevertheless, I recommend you to be careful with power-lifting especially until you reach a controlled BP level, as it may exacerbate severe hypertensive bouts which may be dangerous. Natural remedy is quite beneficial and strongly encouraged coupled with weight control. They have resulted successful in many cases, avoiding such ways may lead to the need for medications.
I also personally recommend that you initially use both strategies (drugs and natural measurements), for the reason that the daily Losartan dose is quite small. Of course you may stop it cold turkey in case you refuse this strategy or experience any potential adverse effects. But, until you have not gained a new body weight balance, I believe that relying only on natural measurements could be insufficient.
Nevertheless, the best way to decide the most appropriate strategy to follow would be to closely monitor your BP values and periodically discuss it with the doctor.
Hope I have answered your query. In case of any further questions, do not hesitate to ask me again.
Regards,
Dr. Ilir Sharka,
Cardiologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you Dr! what should my bp be before I can start powerlifting again? what about cardio exercise, or regular weight training in the gym. can I run? Or jump rope?
Brief Answer:
Opinion is as follows
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
All the above mentioned physical activities (cardio exercise, gym training, running, aerobics, swimming etc.) are much better tolerated compared to power-lifting.
You may resume power-lifting once blood pressure values have achieved a steady level of around 110/70 mmHg.
Nevertheless, it is necessary to regularly check your BP values around training.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Wishing you all the best!
Regards,
Dr. Ilir Sharka,
Cardiologist
Opinion is as follows
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
All the above mentioned physical activities (cardio exercise, gym training, running, aerobics, swimming etc.) are much better tolerated compared to power-lifting.
You may resume power-lifting once blood pressure values have achieved a steady level of around 110/70 mmHg.
Nevertheless, it is necessary to regularly check your BP values around training.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Wishing you all the best!
Regards,
Dr. Ilir Sharka,
Cardiologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you again Dr. I'm sorry I forgot to ask in my last question. is it possible for the medication to drop my pressure too low? Or is 25mg of losartan not likely to do that. I just worry about hypotension.
Brief Answer:
Explained
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
5 mg of Losartan is quite a small dose and the risk of hypotension is low.
Nevertheless, it is necessary to closely monitor your blood pressure while on anti-hypertensive treatment in order to properly adjust medication dose as required.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Ilir Sharka,
Cardiologist
Explained
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
5 mg of Losartan is quite a small dose and the risk of hypotension is low.
Nevertheless, it is necessary to closely monitor your blood pressure while on anti-hypertensive treatment in order to properly adjust medication dose as required.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Ilir Sharka,
Cardiologist
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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