I had never been diagnosed with high blood pressure — until recently.
I always figured I have "white coat hypertension" because I only noticed my blood pressure being higher at the doctor's office. But then again, I didn't take it at home, usually only at those in-store blood pressure machines that might or might not be reliable.
White coat hypertension is when blood pressure readings at the doctor's office are higher than they are in other settings. It was once believed that such temporary hypertension was caused by the stress that doctor's appointments can create. Once we leave the doctor's office and our pressure normalizes, we don't have high blood pressure. Or so we assume.
However, some doctors think white coat hypertension signals risk for developing long-term high blood pressure or other cardiovascular problems — compared with people who have normal blood pressure all the time.
The same may be true for people who have "masked hypertension," which means their blood pressure is normal at the doctor's office but spikes periodically and could be noticed when measured in other settings.
It's thought that even temporary increases in blood pressure can develop into a long-term problem.
If you suspect a problem, your pressure can be tracked during the day and while you're sleeping. Such tracking would determine whether your high blood pressure only occurs at the doctor's office or is a persistent condition that needs treatment.
On my most recent visit to the doctor — not my usual doctor — I registered a relatively high reading. He recommended that I start taking the medication lisinopril, which has the U.S. brand names Prinivil and Zestril.
The doctor said that lisinopril is recommended for diabetics with or without high blood pressure. Diabetes increases the risk of kidney problems, often leading to chronic kidney disease. High blood pressure is a symptom of kidney trouble.
Lisinopril works in the kidneys by reducing constriction of blood vessels, which benefits overall kidney function. It could reduce the risk of kidney disease or help slow progression if there is an existing condition.
The American Diabetes Association says that the addition of a blood pressure medication like lisinopril is a recommended therapy for diabetics.
Lisinopril can be used alone or with other medicines to treat high blood pressure. High pressure adds to the workload on the heart and arteries. It can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart and kidneys, resulting in stroke, heart failure or kidney failure. Lowering blood pressure can reduce those risks.
It is also used to help treat heart failure, and is used in some patients after a heart attack. After an attack, some of the heart muscle is damaged and weakened, which makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood. Lisinopril can be started within 24 hours after a heart attack to increase survival rate.
Lisinopril relaxes blood vessels all over the body, not only in the kidneys. This can lower blood pressure.
It can conflict with some medications, causing side effects. It is wise to make sure your doctor considers all the medications you take.
Lisinopril and medicines like it will not cure high blood pressure, but they can help control it. You might have to take it the rest of your life, but if not treated, high blood pressure leads to life-threatening situations.
It can affect blood sugar levels, cause confusion, blurred vision, cloudy urine, or decreased output, dizziness, sweating, or unusual tiredness or weakness. As many of us know, side-effect lists are often tome-like. But taking the medication doesn't mean you'll experience bad things.
Some side effects don't require medical attention, or may go away once your body adjusts. When in doubt, ask your doctor.
I'm not recommending lisinopril, just explaining what I'm learning about it. What I am recommending is that we be proactive in our health care now so that we don't have to be reactive to something later.
Email me at:
rboggs@arkansasonline.com
Style on 01/28/2019