"This blog was developed to provide medical updates that are important and have my perspective as additional insight."
Recommendation: Check blood pressure when sitting….but on occasion, when standing after 1-2 minutes to look for a BP drop. When you check your blood pressure, it is generally recommended that you do this in the sitting position. That is the most accurate and consistent way to check your pressure, but doctors know that sometimes …
New guidelines for blood pressure treatment and control were just released and the news is good for many of us with hypertension. The big news is that for those over 60 years old blood pressure goals are a little higher than previously recommended. This is good because we can treat few patients, label fewer patients …
A recent study in JAMA (Journal of American Medical Association) has raised questions about the safety of one of our most commonly prescribed blood pressured medications, the CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS. In a case-control study, the researchers demonstrated at 2.5x greater risk of breast cancer in those women on the medication for 10 years or more. …
A PATIENT WROTE: I just read in the Wall Street Journal today (WSJ ARTICLE) about the angiotensin receptor blockers that may cause lung cancer. I have been taking one of those drugs for a while. I take Losartan, 100mg once a day. Should I be taking something else? There is a 30% increased chance of …
A recent study published in the British journal Lancet, showed that diuretic medications work better for obese patients with hypertension than other medication types. This is good information, as it provides better medication selection in this group. Who is obese? Well, about 25% of us in the U.S. If you want to know your BMI …
Read More “DIURETICS ARE BETTER FOR OBESE PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION”
A series of patients on Benicar, a safe and effective blood pressure medication, have developed diarrhea due to small intestine irritation. The medication (Olmesartan) can cause a change in the small intestine similar to celiac disease. It resolves with stopping of the medication. This finding is of some interest as Benicar is a popular blood …
Read More “BENICAR BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH DIARRHEA”
A study from England called the Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial (code name HYVET) showed that treating patients over 80 years old, for their blood pressure, resulted in reduced heart disease and improved longevity. It has been argued that at that age, treating blood pressure is of arguable benefit and there are concerns about …
Tekturna is a relatively new blood pressure medication from Novartis. It is used in select patients who otherwise may not tolerate or respond to other, more standard blood pressure medications. I have seen it used in these situations to general good effect, but it is only a handful of instances. A recent study in diabetic …
Read More “TEKTURNA (ALISKIREN) POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION IN DIABETES”
A recent study showed the benefits of Chlorthalidone, and old-time diuretic, in treated elevated blood pressure. Systolic hypertension (top number high blood pressure) is common as we age and often is difficult to treat adequately. Inexpensive diuretics are particularly good for this issue, but results may seem inadequate with little drop in the blood pressure …