Q: I am a 68 years old Indian having hypertension and taking amlodipin 5mg 1 tablet daily since 2008. Daily walk briskly 3-4km and have cut down salt intake. Now my average blood pressure readings are 130/83 in winter and 117/75 in summer.Please explain why blood pressure readings are lower in summer? Can I cutdown amlodipin to 1/2 tablet daily?
A: It is well known that blood pressure is lower in the summer. The reason for this is complicated and probably involves factors that are yet to be discovered. The lowering is certainly related to the immediate response of the body to a warmer temperature which causes blood vessels to relax, and the response of the long term regulatory systems of the body. You should talk to your doctor before you make any change in your blood pressure medicine.
Maybe you are more active in the summer without realising it and this has an effect on your BP?
He David, thanks for your comments.The only difference in summer is that I consume 2 to 3 glasses of water more and that may be another reason for lower BP.
I agree with David,people are more active in the summer and they also drink more liquids,including water,fruit juice. Also you get more sun which gives you more vitamin D3 and I read an article claiming this vitamin has a positive effect on blood pressure. People seemed to be more depressed in winter and this could spike a rise in blood pressure.
Probably your observations are correct,and I agree.
I read an article in Prevention magazine in April that claimed POM juice,1 ounce a day could lower your blood pressure 20 percent in 12 months. I started drinking 2 Oz daily of the juice a few month ago. My average blood pressure is 133/78 therefore in a year of drinking the POM juice it should drop to at least 120/68–we will see. However the people that make these claims could have stock in POM -you never know but it can’t do any harm . Cost is about 20 cents an ounce or $10.00 for a 48 oz jug. not cheap.
What is POM juice and where can you purchase it
POM juice is short for pomegranate. It is usually found near the health food section of the store in the fridge. It comes with other flavors such as acai or blueberry as well. I drink this when I am feeling sluggish…could be low potassium and which this juice has a lot of…best wishes finding it!
This is a correct explanation for why this can happen. I would say you’re BP is perfect now, so I would stay the course on the 5mg dose.
He! Paul, thanks for your suggestion,my Doctor too advises me to cntinue with 5mg amlodipine dose of 1 tab daily.
Yay on the daily activity- keep it going! BP will do what BP does, but KEEP MOVING!
Thanks ,Donv, my daily morning walk has been my habbit and it will go on.
Could pure concord grape juice be as beneficial as pom juice to help lower blood pressure?