Q: I am 73, trim, a vegan and exercise. My blood pressure is extremely variable – in one day going from 190/92 to 167/83 to 135/65. I am taking 5 different pills that don’t seem to help. I have been told that since my BP does stay high I have nothing to worry about. However, I have just read 3 studies by doctors that say variability can be more dangerous for stroke or heart attack than a consistent high BP. They suggest a stabilizing drug. What is your opinion about variable BP?
A: Current medical thinking is that variable high blood pressure puts you at risk for a heart attack and stroke. You might want to discuss getting into better control with your doctor.
Further Reading:
Variable Blood Pressure a New Stroke Risk Factor? – Drugs.com
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I had the same situation with variable blood pressure. Found a competent cardiologist, who did tests, prescribed Metpropol and MultaQ which have stabilized my blood pressure. Metpropol is a beta blocker. MultaQ is a medication to control arrithmia (atrial fibrillation).
I went to my doctor because of a low diastolic BP reading (average mid 40’s) and told him my readings were variable. Example: 154/90……136/54……106/45…..110/58….121/48. He took me off my diarectic med and has kept me on Metroprolol and Enalapril, but there has some difference, but not major. He said I may be dehydrated and that may be the cause. Wonder if I should seek another doctor, and if so, what kind of doctor. Need advice!
My relative refuses to take any kind of pressure
medicine.What can I give him as a alternative?
Is natto and coQ10 and resveratrol a safe
combination to take?How much? His pressure is
high every morning.179/110 to 180/114.
The above commemt serves to underscore that population stats apply to populations not individuals. More importantly, the underlying cause of each case as well as the population needs to be investigated…more difficult and as …if not more important than yet another shotgun approach drug. Joyce, my mother (94) has had very labile htn all her adult life…takes every catagory of drug available still has very very labile htn…do drugs help or confound? Personally, and an opinion like all the others…the reason she is thriving is exercise two hours a day, 5 days a week and an active social life. You appear to have a cause and a beneficial targeted result. Fortunate.
you just answered what she was saying, you didn’t give a different ans, dr.ro
Answering specific questions with vague comments (see your doctor)is not what this column should be about,the DOCTOR is obviously phoning it in and is providing a disservice to persons in need.Deflecting legitimate questions with non answers is arrogance at best!
I’m 64 years old and started taking Hydroclorthiazide 25mg about 1 year ago. I am fairly active, work full time, walk a lot and observe a pretty healthy diet.
My question is what causes variable readings, highs of 150/85 and lows of 86/65 sometimes within a couple of hours?