Ask Dr. Rowena

Photo Dr. Rowena Your questions about high blood pressure answered by a board certified doctor. Browse the categories in the left menu.

The Effect of High Altitudes on Blood Pressure

Q: About 2 years ago I moved to a high altitude location in the west. My blood pressure was always high normal and after a year it went sky high, 200+/110 and I had to be put on Clonidine .1mg to lower...

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Doing Deep Breathing Exercises to Control Blood Pressure

Q: If I do my slow inbreath, slow outbreath procedure my blood pressure goes down to just over 12. If I don’t it’s up around 15. so, if i do enough of the slow breathing, logically, I should be able to keep it down?

A: Clinical...

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Feelings of Anxiety Causing Lightheadedness

Q: I’m a female with hypertension. I take combezide, atenonol and low dose aspirin. Lately i’ve been experiencing a feeling of fright that makes it difficult for me to breathe, lightheaded, numb feeling in my lips and a slight pain in the left side of...

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Side effects of pretrax.

Q: What are the side effects of useing pretrax for high blood pressure?

A: Pretrax is a drug that is not prescribed in the United States. I believe it is another name for Coverysl Plus which is available in Canada and the United Kingdom....

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Taking testosterone supplements after prostate cancer.

Q: I am 84 yr old male with good “blood work” results on all except testerone. I had brachy-theraoy for prostate cancer 12 yrs ago. My psa, testerone,libido, and energy level is at or approaching zero! Does this history suggest that it would be dangerous...

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Concern about a spread between high diastolic and low systolic.

Q: I am 57 years old female and I have had hypertension for several years. 2 years ago my grandson died and I had heart failure. I was diagnosed with broken heart syndrome and spent eleven days in ICU at the heart institute. I have...

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Coconut water and blood pressure.

Q: Does coconut water help reduce high blood pressure?

A: A small and short study published in the West Indian Medical journal a few years ago found that drinking coconut water helped lower blood pressure as seen on this page at the National Center for ...

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Lowering a high systolic reading with already low diastolic.

Q: My systolic pressure is particularly high. Is there anything I can do which specifically addresses this? I take Dilt (generic Cardizem CD) daily, am mostly low fat vegetarian, exercise 4-5 days per week. My blood pressure is typically 140/70. Until my 50’s, my blood...

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The level where blood pressure is too low.

Q: I’m having problems with my blood pressure. Mostly because it’s too high. Yesterday it dropped to 67/52. My question is—at what point does low blood pressure become dangerous?

A: High blood pressure needs to be treated at levels of 140/90 or greater. Low blood pressure...

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Blood pressure drop causing weakness.

Q: I have noticed that my blood pressure drops about 15% within 1 hr. after breakfast. Sometimes this drop produces severe weakness (bp 100/50). Is this normal?

A: Any blood pressure change that causes symptoms should be evaluated by your doctor. Since your weakness occurs after eating,...

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