No License to Binge
Drugs and diet to lower blood pressure and cholesterol equal a longer life.
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Tag Archives: Blood pressure
Is Olive Oil Good For You?
First-step research suggests a tasty way to prevent a stroke—use olive oil!
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Help for Hypertension
Q: How many types of drugs can treat high blood pressure? I’ve had it about two years. Any suggestions? A: Doctors commonly prescribe five types of medicines that lower high blood pressure in different ways. In almost all patients, some combination of drugs (usually at least two, and sometimes more) are tolerated and are effective. ... More
Water Pill Basics
Water pills (called diuretics) get rid of extra fluid in the body, making it easier for the heart to pump, and help reduce blood pressure. Common diuretics: hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide and others) and furosemide (Lasix). When to take: in the morning to limit nighttime
bathroom trips. What to watch for: Some people suffer leg cramps when ... More
Blood Pressure Paradox
Q: The systolic (top) blood pressure reading in my right arm runs 12 to 18 points higher than in my left. Results from an EKG and sonogram of my chest, neck, and arms were normal. Any suggestions? A: Blood pressure readings are normally the same in both arms. On occasion, an obstruction in the artery ... More
Healthier by the Dozen
Some of your favorite foods can help you stay young and healthy. Ellie Krieger, registered dietician and host of Food Network’s Healthy Appetite, shares two full-flavored, rejuvenating recipes.
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High BP in A.M.
My blood pressure is high in the morning. What causes this? When you are at rest in a warm bed, arteries dilate and blood pressure tends to be low. When you stand up, your body elevates blood pressure to be sure your brain is perfused so you don’t black out. Getting out of bed in ... More
Best to Check
To Nancy in Michigan: Blood pressure can vary, and it would be just a guess for me to know why it went up when you had a feeling of indigestion. Most likely it will be of no concern as long as all of the other recordings are normal, but I would recommend that you definitely ... More
Systolic Hypertension
I’m diabetic and have systolic hypertension. My blood pressure runs 115/120 in the morning and 120/170 in the evening. I’ve included a list of the medicines I have tried. Is there anything in the pipeline for my condition? You have certainly been through a bunch of medications, but there are others you have not tried. ... More
Are You As Healthy As You Think?
Too often, seemingly healthy people suffer a devastating heart attack or stroke. Two new screening tests may help better identify those at risk of cardio vascular emergencies:
The PLAC Test measures blood levels of an enzyme called Lp-PLA2 that, when elevated, may trigger an inflammatory response inside an artery and set the stage for plaque ... More
Managing Blood Lipid Levels
Could you discuss VLDL? What little literature there is says that Lp(a) is worse than LDL, and nobody even measures it. Healthcare providers fuss so much about small deviations in LDL or sodium levels but continue to be blasé about Lp(a). Unbelievable. VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) is a type of lipid protein in the ... More
Convoluted Heart Vessels
My heart catheterization was normal, other than “very tortuous cardiac vessels.” Are you aware of studies showing the cause or consequence of my cardiac vessel condition? Should my offspring or “grands” be tested, and can it be detected without a cardiac cath? Tortuous coronary arteries are usually a normal variant of no concern. Sometimes they ... More
IMT Scan vs. Other Factors
I am active and healthy. Given my family history of heart disease, an IMT scan was recently done. Results include IMT .931 and vascular age 85 (I am 69). Both sides contain plaque. Consequently, my physician has urged me to begin a statin. I am trying to gather information related to using a statin. Any ... More
Dodging DNA Destiny
After reading your articles in The Saturday Evening Post, I felt compelled to send you a question about diastolic dysfunction. I’m interested in knowing if a genetic marker has been identified and if a test is available. I have high blood pressure and a strong paternal family history of heart disease. Otherwise, I’m a relatively ... More
Blood Pressure Monitors Come Home
As an indicator of overall cardiovascular health, your blood pressure reading may be second to none. And research continues to affirm that the best place to measure it may be in your own home. Longtime Medical Mailbox readers know that it is normal for blood pressure to fluctuate throughout the day. We encourage regular use ... More
