sort of OT - high blood pressure | Arthritis Information

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As told to me by hubby (is that enough of a disclaimer LOL?):

He went to his GP a week or so ago, but is just telling me this.  His blood pressure is where it has been since he has been on Benicar for HBP for the past several years, which has been considered controlled.

Now, he says his GP says they have changed the standards for HBP.  So, apparently under the 'new' guideline, his BP too high.  Anybody heard that?

So he got a new med, which is still a type of Benicar, but he is under the impression it is 'stronger'.

He was worried when he filled it would be more expensive, because it is stronger, but it was actually almost half-price, which is the only reason he even told me any of this.

He said if it was stronger, it should cost more, right?

And I said not if they are selling more of it because people who used to have normal blood pressure are now considered to have HBP and need a daily med for THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.
Suzanne

 
My husband takes Benicar too. He thinks his HBP is controlled being 140/90. His doctor never changes his dosage or medicine and that makes me angry.
 
At my last doctor visit I was told they now think  BP should be lower than 120/80. I forget the top number, bottom number was 70. Also the lower the better as long as you are not having adverse symptoms from it being low like fainting or dizziness.
I thought under 140 was considered normal (I'm clueless on the bottom number), so that must be what has changed. 

120 seems low to be normal to me, though.   Guess I'm need of some Benicar, too, LOL. 

If 120 is normal now, what is considered too low blood pressure, I wonder?
[QUOTE=Suzanne]I thought under 140 was considered normal (I'm clueless on the bottom number), so that must be what has changed. 

120 seems low to be normal to me, though.   Guess I'm need of some Benicar, too, LOL. 

If 120 is normal now, what is considered too low blood pressure, I wonder?
[/QUOTE]

Incidence of adverse events (stroke, MI, kidney damage, etc) is much higher at the 140/90 range than at the 120/70 range.  It is not abnormal or unhealthy to have blood pressure lower than 110/70 unless it causes you problems (fainting, dizziness, etc)

Mine tends to be around 110/70.
I found this at americanheart.org:

Question
Is low blood pressure dangerous? How low is too low?

Answer
Blood pressure lower than 120/80 mm Hg is considered "normal," and the term “low blood pressure” is relative. (Note: Your blood pressure is usually lowest at night and rises sharply upon waking.) Low blood pressure is generally considered dangerous when it drops suddenly or is accompanied by symptoms, such as dizziness or fainting. Severely low blood pressure can indicate serious heart, endocrine or neurological disorders and can deprive the brain and other vital organs of oxygen and nutrients, leading to shock, which can be a life-threatening condition.

Symptoms of low blood pressure to watch for include:




Hubby's got too low on his first med (Avalide?) and he had a lot of those symptoms.  I'll have to see what happens on this new Benicar Super XL Deluxe LOL.

I'm sad now.  Never worried about MY blood pressure.
[QUOTE=Suzanne]Hubby's got too low on his first med (Avalide?) and he had a lot of those symptoms.  I'll have to see what happens on this new Benicar Super XL Deluxe LOL.

I'm sad now.  Never worried about MY blood pressure.
[/QUOTE]

Lots of non-drug stuff you can do to bring it down.  Talk with your doctor about it if you're concerned.
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