I have hypertension that is not responding to medication. Advice please.?

The primary treatment for hypertension is diet & exercise. However, before exercising, the status of the heart should be determined either through the ecg ( tells the heart rate, rhythm, if there is ischemia or enlargement of the heart), 2D echocardiography ( like ultrasound of the heart, where you know whether the atriums & ventricles of the heart are normal or enlarged) & the Stress Test or Threadmill, wherein ecg is taken while the patient is exercising under supervision! The cardiologist should be giving you clearance as to what exercise you can tolerate.

Before treating, a Blood Chemistry should be done to rule out the cause of hypertension . Lipid Profile ( Total cholesterol, HDL or good cholestero, LDL or bad cholesterol, Triglycerides). the BUN & Creatinine are kidney function test to determine if they are normal since most causes of hypetension are due to kidney problems, Fbs or fasting blood sugar to rule out diabetes.

DIET should be low salt, low fat. Avoid too much of cheese, it increases not only your sodium but also your cholesterol. Avoid too much pork, bacon, luncheon meat, dried fishes, instant soups, junk foods!

Blood Pressure should be monitored regularly to determine if the medication is enough. Follow up regularly & show your doctor your monitoring at home. This will guide him if the medications he is giving you can control your Blood Pressure. Others have a combination of 2-3 medications to control their Blood Pressure. If you are monitoring at home be sure to bring your digital apparatus to the doctors clinic to compare the blood pressures if both are the same. The mercury is the most accurate one!

It is important to take the medications regularly to avoid complications of hypertension such as stroke, coronary artery disease, kidney problems & even retinopathies affecting the eyes.

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I don't understand why your doctor hasn't tried a different high blood pressure medication. They have many out there. Not all medications work for all people. If he is not willing to try a different medication, I would find another doctor.

I hate to even suggest this on the basis of sounding cliche but...

Meditation techniques have proven very helpful to many thousands of people. And when I say meditation I don't mean that in a religious sense. Also aroma therapy can be helpful when used it conjuction with other solutions. I have heard that getting a cat can help although I will never be able to attest to that personally as I am not fond of them.

hope something helps there

I hate to say this but you should really find another doctor. Your blood pressure should have been controlled long before now. There are many types out there and my husband has to have 3 to keep his under control. You need to get this going as you have had it too high for too long. Now it did take my husband many trips to the doctor, swithching meds and a few months to get his done. Those obviously do not work for your system. Please be careful and get this done asap. 10 Months is way too long. The problem could also be your heart....which is why I have high blood pressure. Mine doesn't beat right. I take one pill for my heart to make it beat right that keeps my blood pressure right. It's called toprol xl. I wish you luck and please go to another doctor who will do his work right and get this done NOW before it is too late. Blood pressure is not anything you want to mess around with. Hope this helps.

Take your blood pressure if your not stress, tired, if you already quit your vices such as smoking, eating high cholesterol food,! if still high make a second opinion not to your GP but to a registered cardiologist and ask other kind of medication, and tell that your previous medication doesn't work.

If still doesn't work ask them to have you a laboratory examinations to know whats your problem.

If you use both of them and it still doesn't work, then I suggest you get a second opinion from another doctor. Not every medicine will work for everybody, so they have to find out what's best for you. It's always good to get second opinions, though.

were you tense, tired or hungry when your BP was taken?

Invest in an apparatus so that youll be monitored well.

try the diuretic first, if the meds doesnt work the doc will prescribe a new set of meds.

Could be the starting of a detached retina....I had the same symptoms and my retina had started to detach....the doctor ''fixed'' it with laser surgery. Good luck.

find another More aggressive doctor