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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Medication For High Blood Pressure & Cholesterol

I am 70 years of age, and I have been diagnosed with malignant neurocardiogenic syndrome, I have obviously suffered with this most of my life as I can recall fainting spells since about 14 years of age but had never been diagnosed before, this time I was diagnosed after fainting during a tilt test and I was prescribed atenolol. I did take this for a while but found it slowed me down and when I didn t take it I experienced episodes of an sudden unstable high pulse rate. I realized that this was probably a reaction to the stopping taking the atenolol but I have continued to not take the betablocker and the sudden attacks of high pulse rate, etc., have now stopped. I haven t had a fainting episode for some time. I know I have to be careful first thing in the morning and I cannot stand still for too long, I avoid drinking alchohol and I know there are various other things which can trigger an attack which I try to avoid. When I was diagnosed I was also found to have high blood pressure at times which I was told made it more difficult to treat I know my blood pressure can suddenly go up at times, but I have bought a home monitor and I have been keeping a record and I now find that my blood pressure is fairly normal most of the time and often quite low first thing in the morning. I have also been told that I have high cholesterol. As I know there is not a cure for vasovagal syndrome and I feel that taking the beta-blockers was only masking the problem and did have some side effects I think I am better to just keep an eye on my blood pressure, take regular exercise and I have changed my diet to include garlic, herbs peppers and other foods which might help my condition. One thing that puzzles me rather is that my pulse rate is usually higher ( although not too high about 75-80 ) when I wake first thing in the morning and then drops down to about 60 when I am up and about.
Thu, 18 Aug 2016
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Dietitian & Nutritionist 's  Response
Welcome,
Malignant Neurocardiogenic syndrome does have some dietary guidelines that may help your symptoms:
1. Drink plenty of fluids. Suggest 10-12 glasses per day, more if increasing fiber or hot/humid outside.
2. Get plenty of good sources of potassium
Spinach
Kale
Bananas
Oranges
Prunes
Dried beans
Tomatoes
Potatoes
Honeydew
Cantaloupe
3. Think about drinking an electrolyte replacement beverage, such as Gatorade®, on a daily basis. If you want, you can make your own rehydration beverage by combining the following:
1 quart water
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
3-4 tablespoons of sugar
4. Get enough sodium in diet, between 2300-4,000 mg
5.Small, frequent meals
6.Avoid alcohol and coffee (you already avoid alcohol, yeah!!)

These dietary recommendations come from:

Cleveland Clinic. Syncope care and treatment. Available at: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/disorders/electric/syncope.aspx. Accessed August 17, 2016.

London Cardiac Institute. Vasovagal syncope: what you need to know. Available at: http://www.londoncardiac.ca/pages/vvs.htm. Accessed February 10, 2010.

Mayo Clinic. Vasovagal syncope. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vasovagal-syncope/DS00806. Accessed August 17, 2016

Sadovsky R. Vasovagal syncope and related disorders. Available at: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000401/tips/9.html. Accessed August 17, 2016

You may mention you pulse rate to your personal physician. It is still withing a good range.

To lower your cholesterol try following the Mediterranean Diet,or better yet, the MIND Diet (combination of DASH and Mediterranean).

Also, when we age it is natural to lose body muscle and replace it with fat. Sometimes it is not so much losing pounds as it is getting fit and building muscle or at least slow down muscle atrophy.

Beta blockers also tend to elevate lipids, so to counter this increase soluble fibers (oats, lentils), if still taking this medication and also have dr. approve any elevations in your dietary sodium above 2300.

I hope I have provided some direction for you to proceed in. As always, I refer you to a Registered Dietitian for the assistance in developing a nutrition and exercise program for you to achieve your health objectives.

Stay Well! Kathryn Shattler, MS,RDN

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Suggest Medication For High Blood Pressure & Cholesterol

Welcome, Malignant Neurocardiogenic syndrome does have some dietary guidelines that may help your symptoms: 1. Drink plenty of fluids. Suggest 10-12 glasses per day, more if increasing fiber or hot/humid outside. 2. Get plenty of good sources of potassium Spinach Kale Bananas Oranges Prunes Dried beans Tomatoes Potatoes Honeydew Cantaloupe 3. Think about drinking an electrolyte replacement beverage, such as Gatorade®, on a daily basis. If you want, you can make your own rehydration beverage by combining the following: 1 quart water ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 3-4 tablespoons of sugar 4. Get enough sodium in diet, between 2300-4,000 mg 5.Small, frequent meals 6.Avoid alcohol and coffee (you already avoid alcohol, yeah!!) These dietary recommendations come from: Cleveland Clinic. Syncope care and treatment. Available at: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/disorders/electric/syncope.aspx. Accessed August 17, 2016. London Cardiac Institute. Vasovagal syncope: what you need to know. Available at: http://www.londoncardiac.ca/pages/vvs.htm. Accessed February 10, 2010. Mayo Clinic. Vasovagal syncope. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vasovagal-syncope/DS00806. Accessed August 17, 2016 Sadovsky R. Vasovagal syncope and related disorders. Available at: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000401/tips/9.html. Accessed August 17, 2016 You may mention you pulse rate to your personal physician. It is still withing a good range. To lower your cholesterol try following the Mediterranean Diet,or better yet, the MIND Diet (combination of DASH and Mediterranean). Also, when we age it is natural to lose body muscle and replace it with fat. Sometimes it is not so much losing pounds as it is getting fit and building muscle or at least slow down muscle atrophy. Beta blockers also tend to elevate lipids, so to counter this increase soluble fibers (oats, lentils), if still taking this medication and also have dr. approve any elevations in your dietary sodium above 2300. I hope I have provided some direction for you to proceed in. As always, I refer you to a Registered Dietitian for the assistance in developing a nutrition and exercise program for you to achieve your health objectives. Stay Well! Kathryn Shattler, MS,RDN