Blood pressure

[ignis]

In resent month been all over the place. range between 200/112  to 90/59  + always Pulse below 60.  last year Pulse average was 72 ? 

 

Since 1991 taken 1 x mornings Prenolol 50mg, {Atenolol] cut down to 25 mg 6 months ago   + Evenings 1x Losartan 50 mg + 2mg Dozozin   [UK  NHS website states: Older adults should not usually take dozosin to treat high blood pressure]  ??

 

Yesterday was my Diabetic yearly Blood work day at Hospital, mostly all fine = A1c 5.9.  CKD down to Stage 2, all other tests perfect

 

Blood Pressure still a problem, every hour in the waiting room they re took my reading, see Dr then off to get loads of wires attached and a printout,  this was done again after 30 mins.  back to see Dr

 

163/64  with pulse rate of 53 !!    Dr advised to stop taking Prenolol and appointment to go again in 14 days ?   Why would a BP med I have taken for 32 years suddenly start making my Pulse rate drop ?

 

 

Edited September 23, 2023 by ignis

[KannikaP]

31 minutes ago, ignis said:

In resent month been all over the place. range between 200/112  to 90/59  + always Pulse below 60.  last year Pulse average was 72 ? 

 

Since 1991 taken 1 x mornings Prenolol 50mg, {Atenolol] cut down to 25 mg 6 months ago   + Evenings 1x Losartan 50 mg + 2mg Dozozin   [UK  NHS website states: Older adults should not usually take dozosin to treat high blood pressure]  ??

 

Yesterday was my Diabetic yearly Blood work day at Hospital, mostly all fine = A1c 5.9.  CKD down to Stage 2, all other tests perfect

 

Blood Pressure still a problem, every hour in the waiting room they re took my reading, see Dr then off to get loads of wires attached and a printout,  this was done again after 30 mins.  back to see Dr

 

163/64  with pulse rate of 53 !!    Dr advised to stop taking Prenolol and appointment to go again in 14 days ?   Why would a BP med I have taken for 32 years suddenly start making my Pulse rate drop ?

 

 

Blood pressure should be taken shortly after waking up, after a period of rest.......not after driving to the hospital, having a coffee, seeing some pretty fit nurse, afraid of white coat.

Get yourself an Omicron from Lotus for Bht 2000 or so, an app called Blood Pressure Monitor on your phone and do it yourself, every morning. It will calculate your averages over whatever period of time you want. My hospital accepts these readings from me.

[ignis]

51 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Blood pressure should be taken shortly after waking up, after a period of rest.......not after driving to the hospital, having a coffee, seeing some pretty fit nurse, afraid of white coat.

Get yourself an Omicron from Lotus for Bht 2000 or so, an app called Blood Pressure Monitor on your phone and do it yourself, every morning. It will calculate your averages over whatever period of time you want. My hospital accepts these readings from me.

Blood pressure I take at home every morning for past 10 + years, same as FBS for even more years.

 

Yearly Blood test = NO drink of any kind / No food from 8 pm the evening before

Friend took me by car the 6 km to Hospital.....  seeing some pretty fit nurse  ?? don't go to same hospital as you, most are 45 +    My Blood Pressure readings were taken 6 times over 5 hours at the hospital

 

My Omron Blood Pressure Monitor was a lot more expensive than that

 

My hospital for years has accepted my own daily readings and monthly averages, I take a printout every visit

 

 

[KannikaP]

17 minutes ago, ignis said:

My Omron Blood Pressure Monitor was a lot more expensive than that

Bht 1730 on Lazada.

 

5 hours for Annual Blood test? Waiting for the results can be quite a while, but never more than 3 hours in the food court/ cafe at my Govt Hospital where a check up , ECG, Xray, Blood test incl PSA, doctor talk etc costs Bht 2200 and takes less than an hour, if you get an early queue number.

Edited September 23, 2023 by KannikaP

[Neeranam]

12 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Bht 1730 on Lazada.

 

5 hours for Annual Blood test? Waiting for the results can be quite a while, but never more than 3 hours in the food court/ cafe at my Govt Hospital where a check up , ECG, Xray, Blood test incl PSA, doctor talk etc costs Bht 2200 and takes less than an hour, if you get an early queue number.

I got one the other day for 1200 at Facino, Yuwell brand. 

Could have got cheaper on Lazada but I thought I was dying ????

[billd766]

4 hours ago, ignis said:

Blood pressure I take at home every morning for past 10 + years, same as FBS for even more years.

 

Yearly Blood test = NO drink of any kind / No food from 8 pm the evening before

Friend took me by car the 6 km to Hospital.....  seeing some pretty fit nurse  ?? don't go to same hospital as you, most are 45 +    My Blood Pressure readings were taken 6 times over 5 hours at the hospital

 

My Omron Blood Pressure Monitor was a lot more expensive than that

 

My hospital for years has accepted my own daily readings and monthly averages, I take a printout every visit

 

 

I do the same as you, take my BP log it and print it for the hospital. The only difference is that I exercise twice a day and take my first reading after the first set of exercises in the afternoon, and the at rest BP about 2 hours later.

 

I check my weight in the mornings, and my blood sugar test every Monday. I log them both.

Edited September 23, 2023 by billd766
corrected some bad spelling

[ozimoron]

3 hours ago, Neeranam said:

I got one the other day for 1200 at Facino, Yuwell brand. 

Could have got cheaper on Lazada but I thought I was dying ????

Good recommendation., I've been reluctant to fork out for an Omicron.

[Sheryl]

The heart rate <60 is undoubtedly due to the atenolol and a normal effect of it.  As long as the rate is completely regular and above 40 (preferrably above 50) and no dizziness associated with it,  this might not be cause for concenr. However in some cases, especially older patients, it can indicate an abnormality of electrical conduction in the heart ("hart block").  The EKG will have shown whether you have a normal but slow hear rhythm ("sinus bradycardia" -- a normal effect of atenolol and similar drugs)  as opposed to heart block or other arrythmia.  It sounds like you may have had an EKG ("loads of wires attached and a printout") but I have no way of  knowing what it showed. The doctor however does, and he advised you to stop the atenolol, so do so and return for follow up as advised.

 

If you want to understand more of what was going on ask the doctor at your next visit if the atenolol and caused heart block or other arryhtmia, and get a copy of the EKG or rhythm strip that was done on this last visit. 

 

Regarding the fluctuations in blood pressure, if in fact you had heart block this could cause episodes of low BP which will improve once the underlying arrythmia (abnormal electrical conduction in the heart) is corrected.  Also, the doxazosin and losartan have a synergistic effect and you are taking them together sop there may be an initial drop in BP as a result. I am more concerned by the elevated readings you report which might indicate a need for adjustment to your BP meds  (dose and/or timing). Losartan in doses under 100 mg has a shorter duration of action (well under 24 hours) than in doses of 100 so it might just be that the higher readings represent the losartan having worn off.  It would be useful to know the correllation between different BP readings and timing of your meds.

 

But of course IF you have heart block getting that sorted out is the first priority.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dddave]

On 9/23/2023 at 10:33 AM, Neeranam said:

I got one the other day for 1200 at Facino, Yuwell brand. 

Could have got cheaper on Lazada but I thought I was dying ????

This is a generic device sold under many names.  I have the same machine, not the same name.  Sells for as little as B500.

[DudleySquat]

On 9/23/2023 at 8:17 AM, ignis said:

Why would a BP med I have taken for 32 years suddenly start making my Pulse rate drop ?

That's exactly what a >>>>>LOL medicine does.  It will bring your resting heart rate down to 50 as it has done for me for more than 20 years. 

 

How is it that you are just learning this now? 

[DudleySquat]

On 9/23/2023 at 8:17 AM, ignis said:

Blood Pressure still a problem, every hour in the waiting room they re took my reading, see Dr then off to get loads of wires attached and a printout,  this was done again after 30 mins.  back to see Dr

 

163/64  with pulse rate of 53 !!    Dr advised to stop taking Prenolol and appointment to go again in 14 days ?   Why would a BP med I have taken for 32 years suddenly start making my Pulse rate drop ?

Did this doctor tell you how to stop taking this medicine? Did he give you a good reason why you should stop taking it? 

 

Continue taking the medicine and stop your doctor. From your description, he is an idiot. 

 

DO NOT stop taking Prenolol. You have to taper yourself off the medicine. You could induce a heart attack by quitting the med. 

 

Did you read that? 

[DudleySquat]

On 9/23/2023 at 2:25 PM, Sheryl said:

The heart rate <60 is undoubtedly due to the atenolol and a normal effect of it.  As long as the rate is completely regular and above 40 (preferrably above 50) and no dizziness associated with it,  this might not be cause for concenr. However in some cases, especially older patients, it can indicate an abnormality of electrical conduction in the heart ("hart block").  The EKG will have shown whether you have a normal but slow hear rhythm ("sinus bradycardia" -- a normal effect of atenolol and similar drugs)  as opposed to heart block or other arrythmia.  It sounds like you may have had an EKG ("loads of wires attached and a printout") but I have no way of  knowing what it showed. The doctor however does, and he advised you to stop the atenolol, so do so and return for follow up as advised.

 

If you want to understand more of what was going on ask the doctor at your next visit if the atenolol and caused heart block or other arryhtmia, and get a copy of the EKG or rhythm strip that was done on this last visit. 

 

Regarding the fluctuations in blood pressure, if in fact you had heart block this could cause episodes of low BP which will improve once the underlying arrythmia (abnormal electrical conduction in the heart) is corrected.  Also, the doxazosin and losartan have a synergistic effect and you are taking them together sop there may be an initial drop in BP as a result. I am more concerned by the elevated readings you report which might indicate a need for adjustment to your BP meds  (dose and/or timing). Losartan in doses under 100 mg has a shorter duration of action (well under 24 hours) than in doses of 100 so it might just be that the higher readings represent the losartan having worn off.  It would be useful to know the correllation between different BP readings and timing of your meds.

 

But of course IF you have heart block getting that sorted out is the first priority.

 

 

 

 

 

 

He has white coat syndrome. 

I have it. 200/100 or 200/110 when they rush you through all the pre-screening crap that they do to pad the bill a bit more. 

 

When I am home, my BP is 128/83. 

 

The hospital anomaly has happened to me many times.  It does go down quite a bit if I make them wait 5 minutes while I sit quietly to relax. 

 

You didn't advise him about tapering a beta blocker. 

 

What he should do is take his blood pressure at home, and bring his monitor with him. Make the nurse take the BP without the machine and compare your results with her results to calibrate your own bp machine. 

 

 

 

 

 

[still kicking]

On 9/23/2023 at 3:25 PM, ozimoron said:

Good recommendation., I've been reluctant to fork out for an Omicron.

Nothing wrong with Omicron most doctors in the west use them and I find mine very accurate.

[Celsius]

On 9/23/2023 at 2:25 PM, ozimoron said:

Good recommendation., I've been reluctant to fork out for an Omicron.

 

I can vouch for this one also. Bought much cheaper on lazada along with their oxymeter. It is government certified and approved unlike the rest of chinese stuff sold online 

[ignis]

7 hours ago, DudleySquat said:

That's exactly what a >>>>>LOL medicine does.  It will bring your resting heart rate down to 50 as it has done for me for more than 20 years. 

 

How is it that you are just learning this now? 

As said in my 1st post  "last year Pulse average was 72" [has been around this for years]  it is only now this year that the resting heart rate has dropped to low 50's

[ignis]

7 hours ago, DudleySquat said:

Did this doctor tell you how to stop taking this medicine? Did he give you a good reason why you should stop taking it? 

 

Continue taking the medicine and stop your doctor. From your description, he is an idiot. 

 

DO NOT stop taking Prenolol. You have to taper yourself off the medicine. You could induce a heart attack by quitting the med. 

 

Did you read that? 

Did he give you a good reason why you should stop taking it....... 

he is she + a Older Diabetic Specialist 

Yes the reason is Prenolol reduces the heart rate, so to stop taking for 14 days and see what the readings are... with these new reading can maybe get different med's /dosage

 

Yesterday 178/90 with pulse rate of 62---- This morning 188/88 with pulse rate of 64

[ignis]

7 hours ago, still kicking said:

Nothing wrong with Omicron most doctors in the west use them and I find mine very accurate.

Mine is the 2nd one, never a problem in all the years I have had one. mine is the bigger one 4,250 baht....  The Government Hospital has only this make 2 very large Wi Fi ones  + loads of arm in sleeve type, + all the Dr rooms have the small  upper arm strap ones...  

[KannikaP]

On 9/23/2023 at 2:25 PM, ozimoron said:

Good recommendation., I've been reluctant to fork out for an Omicron.

Bht 1730 from Lazada. Omicron is the industry standard.

Yuwell...........well you decide! How would you know if the reding is correct unless you compare it with 'the real thing'?

I take mine every morning shortly after waking, and peeing, which I read is important, God knows why. The first reading is usually in the 130s, or even 140s, but the third time it is back down to 120-125. Anyone can explain this please.

Edited September 25, 2023 by KannikaP

[ozimoron]

1 hour ago, KannikaP said:

Bht 1730 from Lazada. Omicron is the industry standard.

Yuwell...........well you decide! How would you know if the reding is correct unless you compare it with 'the real thing'?

I take mine every morning shortly after waking, and peeing, which I read is important, God knows why. The first reading is usually in the 130s, or even 140s, but the third time it is back down to 120-125. Anyone can explain this please.

I have an expensive Omicron monitor in oz but stupidly didn't bring it Thailand. I had the same results as you.

 

Even if the Yuwell was slightly less accurate it would not make a significant difference. BP is up and down all day like a yoyo anyway and a couple of % one way or the other probably doesn't matter, especially if you use the same machine always.

[Sheryl]

10 hours ago, DudleySquat said:

He has white coat syndrome. 

I have it. 200/100 or 200/110 when they rush you through all the pre-screening crap that they do to pad the bill a bit more. 

 

When I am home, my BP is 128/83. 

 

The hospital anomaly has happened to me many times.  It does go down quite a bit if I make them wait 5 minutes while I sit quietly to relax. 

 

You didn't advise him about tapering a beta blocker. 

 

What he should do is take his blood pressure at home, and bring his monitor with him. Make the nurse take the BP without the machine and compare your results with her results to calibrate your own BP  machine. 

 

 

 

 

 

As I understand it, these were readings from home. He already takes his BP at home.

 

He attends a government hospital, "bill padding" does not enter into it.

 

Doctor has already advised him on dose reduction of the beta blocker. 

[billd766]

14 hours ago, DudleySquat said:

Did this doctor tell you how to stop taking this medicine? Did he give you a good reason why you should stop taking it? 

 

Continue taking the medicine and stop your doctor. From your description, he is an idiot. 

 

DO NOT stop taking Prenolol. You have to taper yourself off the medicine. You could induce a heart attack by quitting the med. 

 

Did you read that? 

How long have you been qualified as an MD?

 

Why do you believe that YOU know more than the doctor who has actually met and examined the patient

 

Most sensible people prefer to be treated by a proper doctor than by an armchair quack hiding anonymously behind a pc and keyboard.

 

 

[Sheryl]

7 hours ago, ignis said:

Did he give you a good reason why you should stop taking it....... 

he is she + a Older Diabetic Specialist 

Yes the reason is Prenolol reduces the heart rate, so to stop taking for 14 days and see what the readings are... with these new reading can maybe get different med's /dosage

 

Yesterday 178/90 with pulse rate of 62---- This morning 188/88 with pulse rate of 64

When the top number (systolic) is do high like this but bottom number (duastoluc) normal it is often an indication of some sort of trmporary stress...pain, anxiety etc.  Be sure to tske readings while you are comfortable and at rest 

 

Also make sure the BP cuff is not too small for your arm  as that will falsely elevate readings. Most machines sold in Thailand come with cuffams too small for average farang arm and it is often necessary to separately order n extr large (by Asian standarda) cuff.

 

If you have only been seen by "diabetes speialist" I sugfest  a consult with a cardiologist. 

 

 

[ignis]

From time to time Scan the Dr Prescription and put in 'my Health' folder on PC, + some of the detailed written  reports MRI scans etc  have 100's 

 

eg: for Blood pressure  oldest I can find 

UK Dr Prescription - May 1999

Atenolol 50mg 1 x day

Enalapril  20mg 2 x day

Edited September 25, 2023 by ignis

[ignis]

4 hours ago, Sheryl said:

When the top number (systolic) is do high like this but bottom number (duastoluc) normal it is often an indication of some sort of trmporary stress...pain, anxiety etc.  Be sure to tske readings while you are comfortable and at rest 

 

Also make sure the BP cuff is not too small for your arm  as that will falsely elevate readings. Most machines sold in Thailand come with cuffams too small for average farang arm and it is often necessary to separately order n extr large (by Asian standarda) cuff.

 

If you have only been seen by "diabetes speialist" I sugfest  a consult with a cardiologist. 

 

 

Many thanks..  yes my arm band is large or maybe that should be my upper arms are not large...  

 

1st thing in the morning sit in chair at table for 7 - 10 mins, then take my BP, as Dr advised years ago take 2 or 3 readings and take the average reading.............  the only other time I will take a reading is if I feel light headed, blurred dizzy later in the day then will check BP  1st, if OK then check the BS reading

 

No idea if I have seen a cardiologist at anytime , have had a Body MRI 2020. as well as a brain MRI

[nauseus]

On 9/23/2023 at 10:33 AM, Neeranam said:

I got one the other day for 1200 at Facino, Yuwell brand. 

Could have got cheaper on Lazada but I thought I was dying ????

Yewell be soooooorry!

[hotandsticky]

12 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Bht 1730 from Lazada. Omicron is the industry standard.

Yuwell...........well you decide! How would you know if the reding is correct unless you compare it with 'the real thing'?

I take mine every morning shortly after waking, and peeing, which I read is important, God knows why. The first reading is usually in the 130s, or even 140s, but the third time it is back down to 120-125. Anyone can explain this please.

I think you mean OMRON.

 

 

 

Omicron is a variant of SARS-CoV-2 first reported to the World Health Organization by the Network for Genomics Surveillance in South Africa on 24 November 2021. 

 

[Sheryl]

14 hours ago, ignis said:

No idea if I have seen a cardiologist at anytime , have had a Body MRI 2020. as well as a brain MRI

 

My point was that you should see a cardioligist now, regarding the erratic/poorly controlled  BP and heart rate issues you currently have.

[KannikaP]

11 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

I think you mean OMRON.

 

 

 

Omicron is a variant of SARS-CoV-2 first reported to the World Health Organization by the Network for Genomics Surveillance in South Africa on 24 November 2021. 

 

Sorry, I got it marginally wrong. OMRON it is.

[Ben Zioner]

On 9/23/2023 at 8:51 AM, KannikaP said:

Get yourself an Omicron from Lotus f

Omicron or Omron? 

 

I know, Omicron would be free..

[KannikaP]

6 minutes ago, Ben Zioner said:

Omicron or Omron? 

 

I know, Omicron would be free..

Ha ha 555