Advice needed about high blood pressure?

Question

When my Mum was @45, she had a TIA mini stroke and it was then found she had a partial blockage of the carotid artery.  In her medical reviews following she was put on 2mg/day of a blood pressure drug, dropprenil ( sorry can't remember the name properly ). Since this time, there have been occassions where my Mum has felt unwell, aching and tight chest, feeling sick etc, she taken her blood pressure and found it to be high ( as high as @192 / 76! ) and so has then immediately taken another pill to try to bring the pressure down.  She has spoken to her doctor about these episodes, but he has not suggested to do anything.  My Mum wonders whether the carotid artery needs to be unblocked but the doctor has said this is too risky a procedure, she has asked whether her dosage needs to be increased, but the doctor says too high a dose will cause her blood pressure to become too low.  He seems happy for the situation just to carry on as it is.

I would be interested to read comments from anyone who has knowledge about this topic and any advice you can give, is the doctor giving good advice or fobbing her off?  Should she try to see another doctor?  What should be done to try to prevent her having these bad episodes?

Thanks

Nurse Alex · Accepted Answer

She should really get an opinion from a second doctor. If you have a reliable means of measuring blood pressure (not the drug store machines), and she is symptomatic (headache, feeling unwell, etc) she can ask for an "as needed" medication called captopril that will bring her blood pressure down. He probably doesn't want to change her medication because the number on the bottom (diastolic) is still pretty low indicating that when her heart relaxes between beats the pressure isn't that high. When the diastolic starts to rise, that indicates that the problem has more to do with hard or narrowed arteries.
Ask another doctor if it is appropriate for her to be using captopril. Best of luck to you.

Anonymous · Answer

1

G B · Answer

Your mum needs to try and keep a healthy lifestyle first and for most, balanced diet & exercise & stop drinking smoking if she does so, this will lower and maintain her blood pressure.

In regards to the high blood pressure mentioned, (diastolic) pressure is the one you need to keep your eye on when you get old systolic goes up natrually as you age anyway, 196 is a bit too high your looking for about 120 to 140 really. 

But as you have stated that your mother has only 76 diastolic that is perfectly fine and within a healthy and normal range.

Operations are only done if it is necessary, but If your mum is worried it always best to get a second opinion why not?..

hope that helps...

ps. don't self medicate

Quietscherin · Answer

If i were in her situation I would see another doctor. He may be right that the surgery is too risky but then she needs a better dosage (or possibly a different blood pressure medication). But she shouldn't self-medicate, taking too many of her meds could cause her blood pressure to drop too low. Also with a blocked carotid I am wondering why she isn't on blood thinners?

Rita V · Answer

Stephen, If I were you stephen I would take my mom some where else for a second opinion no doctor in his right mind would let someone walk around with a blood pressure of 192/76, she is a stroke waiting to happen, the dosage should have been increased it would not make her blood pressure fall that low. I wish you and your mom good luck Rita V

crrosees · Answer

You'd better get advice from another physician, however only angiographic exam
reveals her right health condition,then there are many therapeutical interventions.  
Salt consumption is the most effective way to control hypertension.
Don’t worry.
Good luck

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Advice needed about high blood pressure?

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