Where to go for high blood pressure

[Brightonman]

Recently I have been getting higher than usual blood pressure. I was taking pills prescribed by a UK doctor but they stopped doing anything so I stopped buying them.

I eat very healthily, have almost stopped drinking, and started going to the gym 2 or 3 times a week, but still my BP is around 150/90 every time I check it. I am slim 6ft, and 80Kgs and 54 years old

When I had lipids etc checked at a Thai hospital a couple of years ago they couldn't find anything wrong.

Does anyone know a good cheap place to go to get checked out and prescribed some new medicine. I live in Sukhumvit Onnut and Chaeng Wattana areas.

[Brit_Doggie]

Several pharmacies here in pattaya can and will check blood pressure and give you the correct medication, would hazard a guess that this is also the same where you reside.

[gerryBScot]

It might be an idea to consider getting checked out by a cardiologist. Sheryl recommends a doctor who holds a Saturday surgery at the Bangkok Christian Hospital in SIlom. If you search this thread you'll get his name.

There is a huge variety of medication available so probably best to get input from a specialist who also has experience of treating Westerners. Also a simple procedure like an echocardiogram usually will pick up anything major - the last one I had cost 2,500 THB. Don't now how much it would cost in BKK but probably not significantly higher and possibly less.

There are always other considerations, variations of 'white coat syndrome' - seeing a doctor or being in a hospital for treatment can increase your BP; worrying about your BP likewise ; you can definitely over test your BP if you are self-testing. Also I am not sure how useful random readings of BP are due to normal fluctuations. I would suggest you pick a time and measure your BP at that time every day for a week or a month and then average it ... that will give you a much more precise indication of whether you have hypertension. It's the average that is important as BP obviously fluctuates.

Whatever, doing nothing would be foolish. Seek proper help and get your BP under control - controlled BP is a significant element in reducing strokes and heart attacks.

[Minnehaha]

I would suggest collecting all the data you have - you can ask any hospital you visited for your records and they will give them to you. Sometimes it takes a day or 2 and sometimes they charge a small fee. But they are yours. Also write down all the data you produce yourself.

See a Hematologist Cardiologist.

See what they say.

Sometimes tests they want done are covered by a Check Up Package you can buy from the hospital.

Numbers like that, if you are not a heavy drinker or have a known condition of somekind are not normal, but are caused by something. Most common is arteriosclerosis or some kind of kidney issue. Both of these are examples of some kinds of blocked arteries where your pressure goes up to force the blood through.

Also, if you have any condition at all that causes hypertension Thai food is probably not the best. I love it, like most people. But the amount of salt (sodium) in it is astounding. This causes BP to go up as well. So, maybe try salt free diet for a week and see if it goes down. But definitely see a doctor. I know a guy who had your symptoms and then had a stroke. His pressure shot up to 220/120. Strokes at age 45 - 55 are more common than people think.

[oneday]

DO NOT trust a pharmacists to prescribe your BP medication; there are too many variables.

Your life is worth going to a doctor that is at least a specialist of sorts in prescribing BP medication. Sheryl recommended one of two doctors in BKK that specialized in headaches for my migraines. I choose one and it really didn't cost that much for what basically amounts to a consolation and the medication(s). After you start taking the medication he will want to monitor your BP to make sure the medication is working, which is certainly something you can do on your own. If it works you are good to go. If it doesn't work then you'll need to go back so he can try something else in a different category.

[eggers]

"I live in Sukhumvit Onnut and Chaeng Wattana areas." May be restrict your living to one place or the other; reduce travel time & HBP!!

[Suradit69]

It might be an idea to consider getting checked out by a cardiologist. Sheryl recommends a doctor who holds a Saturday surgery at the Bangkok Christian Hospital in SIlom. If you search this thread you'll get his name.

There is a huge variety of medication available so probably best to get input from a specialist who also has experience of treating Westerners. Also a simple procedure like an echocardiogram usually will pick up anything major - the last one I had cost 2,500 THB. Don't now how much it would cost in BKK but probably not significantly higher and possibly less.

There are always other considerations, variations of 'white coat syndrome' - seeing a doctor or being in a hospital for treatment can increase your BP; worrying about your BP likewise ; you can definitely over test your BP if you are self-testing. Also I am not sure how useful random readings of BP are due to normal fluctuations. I would suggest you pick a time and measure your BP at that time every day for a week or a month and then average it ... that will give you a much more precise indication of whether you have hypertension. It's the average that is important as BP obviously fluctuates.

Whatever, doing nothing would be foolish. Seek proper help and get your BP under control - controlled BP is a significant element in reducing strokes and heart attacks.

"It might be an idea to consider getting checked out by a cardiologist."

Amen. I see a cardiologist a couple times a year because of some issues with hypertension. He's made minor adjustments to medication from time to time and things remain under control.

The O/P may have thought the meds he was taking before weren't doing anything, but if his BP is now rising, that would suggest he either needs to continue what he was taking or get something more effective. I sometimes ask pharmacists here for suggestions for trivial things, but for something important like BP, you really ought to do yourself a favor and see a doctor. Something other than just diet and more birthdays could be contributing to the issue.

[SWW]

I went to the doctor because I had a nasty 'flu, and while there she said that my BP was 190/130 and that that was high. She prescribed me some BP meds, and told me to cut down on sodium and fried food. This was 18 months ago.

I have been going back every month to be checked over, and to top up my meds. Each visit costs something like 1,500 THB, and is covered by my medical insurance. She even prescribed me a BP machine for home use.

This is at Piyavate hospital, and I went there initially because I could walk there from our condo. Since I moved house, I still drive there because the doctor seems to know what she's doing. I measured my BP the other day and it was 96/64.

High blood pressure seems to be a curse of getting older (although I still contend that old age is way better than the alternative!).

[realenglish1]

I have been going to Christian Hospital for my blood pressure . Have had it under control for a few years now

Seems they know what they are doing

[SGX]

Just because your slim doesnt mean your fit, working out 2 to 3 times a week means nothing. Sounds like your torturing yourself as opposed to helping yourself

You would be well advised to speak to a doctor re: exercise program

My thoughts would be at least 60 minutes a day of continual exercise every day ie Hikiing , walking mix it with swimming lengths is ok , forget weights.

stop all alcohol until you get your pressure down or stop altogether

stop sodium salts oils crisps etc

eat more green veg, nuts oats fish etc

Its really common sense , what you have been putting into your body for so long is now paying you back.

There are many $10 books that can help your life if you prepared to read.

You may also consider the thought that an ingredient in alcohol or something your eating may have an adverse reaction to your body intestinal tract somewhere. You may not even know it. Just because its sold in shops doesnt mean you can drink it and be safe.

Alcohol and many foods especially in asia are full of artificial additives that are harmful.

Hope this helps.

[Guitar God]

Go to a doctor, have him prescribe you an ace inhibitor, calcium channel blocker or diuretic or combination, whichever is most appropriate for your condition. Buy a 2000-3000 BP cuff After iyour BP is stable, skip the hospital prescribing fees and get refills at a pharmacy. See you dr according to his recommendations, probability 1x or 2x per year.

[Brian Robson]

As a pharmacologist I speak with some expertise, but as with any advice on the 'net check with a doc!

How have you been storing your UK meds? The heat here can be detrimental to some drugs, which normally have a maximum storage recommendation of 25 Deg C. Keep them in the fridge (NOT FREEZER!) This may have caused your UK medication to stop working.

150/90 is considered mild to moderate hypertension and a common drug of choice is Ramipril (ACE inhibitor). I have been taking these for years without side effects, but stopped three weeks ago after giving up beer and my BP is now a normal 140/75.

If you start at 5 mg per day in your case, that should bring your BP into line, and only cost 600 Baht/100 at my pharmacy. A thiazide diuretic can reduce water retention if you have any.

As I said at the beginning, check with a doc first thing, especially if you are on any other meds!

[glasswort]

Take a stress test, this will identify any heart problems.

Incidentally many people believe that they eat healthily, but do they really? Look up the benefits of coconut oil and herbs such as tumeric and cinnamon on the internet and this will lead you into a whole new world of really healthy eating.

[holymoly]

Maybe your girlfriend is playing games. Your mind may not know but your heart does.

I use concor 5, when needed. I have bp meter (about B3000 at Bunrungrad)

and check two or three times daily.

I found breathing really important with two minutes of deep relaxed breathing

I can get bp to change by up to 20 points.....

Take control of it yourself !

[maswov]

Try yoga or meditation.

[ToddinChonburi]

I go to Burapha University Hospital but I have high Cholesterol. The cheap medicine does not work here you may need to get some thing rather expensive from the west. I had to switch to Astorvastatin witch is made by Pfizer. 100 pills is 4000 Baht .

I have not tried the local Pharmacies to see if I can get it any cheaper maybe I can get some feed back here.

[Jonmarleesco]

'Does anyone know a good cheap place to go to get checked out and prescribed some new medicine. I live in Sukhumvit Onnut and Chaeng Wattana areas.' A good, cheap place? As we know, you get what you pay for. Go to Samitivej, but ask for the prescription and buy outside; subsequent medication if not initial. There is an excellent pharmacy in Onnut, just down from Big C.

[Jonmarleesco]

I go to Burapha University Hospital but I have high Cholesterol. The cheap medicine does not work here you may need to get some thing rather expensive from the west. I had to switch to Astorvastatin witch is made by Pfizer. 100 pills is 4000 Baht .

I have not tried the local Pharmacies to see if I can get it any cheaper maybe I can get some feed back here.

There is more than one Atorvastatin brand. Try Sandoz. In Onnut, just down from Big C, it is less than B800 for 30 tablets (20mg). As the price there is pro-rated, it is likely to be closer to B2,500 for 100.

[ezzra]

I know WHERE NOT to go when you have high blood pressure... hi end shopping, hi end bars and massages,

your in-laws home, some silly government offices, and many more.....

[KittenKong]

My blood-pressure tablets and statins are local brands. Together they cost me about 250B a month from a pharmacy. The same tablets from a clinic or hospital would cost at least 5 times more.

They seem to work fine for me. YMMV.

[Vogele123]

Get a blood test at a local government hospital, then take the results to the local "Clinic" the doctor there should be able to prescribe decent medication for a reasonable price.

I was getting treatment at a hospital (not govt.) where I live and they prescribed Adalat and Micardis, this cost almost 6000 Baht per month for one of each tablet per day and still did not control my BP (200+ / 180)

Once I visited my local clinic the Dr. there laughed and said he had something better - I think it is called Irbetsan or similar, it is made by Unilever and has the Unilever logo and a "300" stamp on the other side. My BP is now sub 120 / 80, and it costs about 700 Baht for 2 months supply - Good luck!

And by the way, as far as my BP, it took about 2 weeks taking the new medication before it finally settled down - after a week it had dropped to about 150 /120, which the Dr. thought was normal, and he proved to be correct.

[ToddinChonburi]

I go to Burapha University Hospital but I have high Cholesterol. The cheap medicine does not work here you may need to get some thing rather expensive from the west. I had to switch to Astorvastatin witch is made by Pfizer. 100 pills is 4000 Baht .

I have not tried the local Pharmacies to see if I can get it any cheaper maybe I can get some feed back here.

There is more than one Atorvastatin brand. Try Sandoz. In Onnut, just down from Big C, it is less than B800 for 30 tablets (20mg). As the price there is pro-rated, it is likely to be closer to B2,500 for 100.

Thanks for the info I have to take the 40 mg. I was taking Simvistatin from the US and they gave me some Thai version of it and my Cholesterol jumped way up . This new stuff is Pfizer- Xarator , Atorvastatin. Just starting it today so will need to see how it works. Thanks again on the info.

[al007]

You want good and cheap, the two do not go together, find a medium size private hospital

[Sheryl]

http://www.sukumvithospital.com/en_doctorprofile.php?id=32 (this doctor is also at Bangkok Christian in Saturday mornings, but Sukhumvit Hosp will be closer to you)

Hypertension can be genetic; it can also result from the natural increased resistance of blood vessels due to aging. Even with maximum good life style, weight control and diet, some people still need medication.

[Kitsune]

You are not eating right, it only takes a few days to decrease high blood pressure with the proper diet.

[Sheryl]

That is simply not true for many hypertensive people.

[csabo]

Hypertension, certainly in my case, is often hereditary. Working out and being "fit" or slim has nothing to do with it. I have been on BP meds since I was 25. See a doctor, get meds, take meds, live long.

[HooHaa]

Several pharmacies here in pattaya can and will check blood pressure and give you the correct medication, would hazard a guess that this is also the same where you reside.

what excellent advice, random pharmacists are certainly much better than seeing a specialist.

[Brer Fox]

I have the same problem. I go to a cardiologist at the Central General Hospital 290 Phaholyothin Rd, Anusawan, Bangken. He is there every Saturday morning and I see him every 3 months and I am very happy. I am 72 and I have been seeing him for about 4 years and I am still alive as I write this. It is not a rip off, the blood test is the most expensive part. I get a blood test first and wait awhile and he analyses the results and discusses what do need to do and take. Get the hospital prescriptions first time up and then buy them from you local chemist to save money. If you live in On Nut you just catch the train to Mo Chit and then get a taxi to the hospital, about 100bth or bus 34/39. Only Saturday morning.

[Brightonman]

Thank you to everyone for taking the time time to give your advice. I work weekends so any Saturday clinics are out I'm afraid.

I love Thai food, and eat it every day, although I try to always choose the least salty. So I will have to find some kind of medicine to bring my high blood pressure down.

I will read the messages and try to follow your advice and get back to you all later. Thanks again