Ask a Texas Heart Institute Doctor
Informed patients make better patients.
Question:
Does managing blood pressure have to be this hard? I was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure. I went to the doctor in November for an uncontrollable itching of the hands and feet. When they took my BP, it was 160/100. Since I get a checkup twice a year and always had BP around 128/84, she was concerned but thought it may just be because I was agitated by the itching (which by the way went away). I went back a few days later and my BP was 148/90 so she put me on Enalapril. After two weeks my BP was still not down so she doubled the dose which I did not tolerate well … major backache! She then put me on Amlodipine which I thought I was tolerating well but after a few weeks, my hair was falling out. Last week she switched me to 50mg of Atenolol. I feel terrible. I just went for a walk and my legs were killing me, so I had to turn around. My resting pulse is about 60bpm but it used to be in the 80's. I am tired and lagging. My eyes are giving me trouble (just had checked he said they are healthy). I have been diagnosed with PVC's. I am about 60 lbs overweight. Since all this started, I get major anxiety when I try to check my BP. Is there anything else I can try?
submitted by Jeanne, from Florida, 2/3/09
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, J. Alberto Lopez, MD 
Managing elevated BP is usually not that difficult in the majority of patients. Unfortunately, you experienced side effects while on an approved treatment option. First line therapy with an ACEI such as Enalapril is a good choice. Your doctor will know if combining it with a mild diuretic is a reasonable alternative for you or not. For some, this can achieve desired results with minimal side effects.
Things that are almost always beneficial are walking 30-60 minutes daily, a no-salt diet and weight loss. Learn how to check your BP and keep records. This will help your doctor to choose the proper dose(s) and time(s) of day when you should take your medicine. Another important consideration is the possibility of over the counter medications and supplements that may be causing your BP to increase. Discuss this with your physician.
See also on this site:
View complete list of "Ask a Heart Doctor" Questions and Answers
| Heart Information Center services are made possible in part by a generous gift from the Hamill Foundation. |
Updated February 2009
