HomeAnswersCardiologyblood pressureWhat can be done to stabilize BP in a diabetic?

Please suggest methods to control BP in a diabetic.

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. K. Shobana

Published At January 11, 2019
Reviewed AtJuly 13, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My mother is 76 years old. She is diabetic and has high BP (blood pressure). She is taking Aldomet twice a day ,insulin twice a day. For BP, she takes Co-Diovan 160/12.5 mg in the morning, Bisoprolol 10 mg on lunch and Lercanidipine 10 mg in the evening but the blood pressure yet is not stabilized. What should be done?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

What is your mother's blood pressure on these medicines? Your mother is taking multiple medicines to control BP, still, BP is not under control, the cause may be due to secondary hypertension. The most common cause is kidney disease. Is there any history of heart disease or stroke? For proper BP control follow these guidelines. Avoid junk and fatty foods, reduce salt intake in the diet. Maintain a healthy weight, BMI (body mass index) should be less than 25. Measure BP at home, with the patient seated and backrest, the cuff should be at the heart's level and arm resting on the table. The patient should be relaxed for 15 minutes. Then measure BP. Repeat BP check in other arm. Remeasure BP in the arm with higher BP after 10 minutes. Lower of the two readings is the patient's BP. Take medicines at same times daily, take sound sleep. Regarding BP control, I would recommend to have renal function tests and electrolytes done and ultrasound of kidneys. These reports may change medicines or doses for hypertension. I suggest you take tablet containing combination of Amlodipine 10 mg, Valsartan 160 mg, HCT (Hydrochlorothiazide) 12.5 mg daily in the day time. Measure daily BP at random times and note it for 10 days. Continue Bisoprolol. No need for Aldomet (Methyldopa). After 10 days, we will see how much BP is controlled and what is the BP trend. Then will decide further about management. Continue Insulin, keep blood sugar levels under control.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at icliniq.

Thank you.

The Probable causes

The probable causes are non or poor compliance to medicines, inappropriate doses, renal disease.

Investigations to be done

The following investigations should be performed: urea, creatinine, electrolyte tests, as well as an ultrasound of the kidneys to assess their size and look for any parenchymal changes.

Preventive measures

Preventive measures include reducing salt intake, avoiding junk and fast food, fatty foods, avoiding alcohol, and smoking.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

But for this, can I use Lercanidipine and Furosemide?

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The medicine which I have suggested is a combination of three drugs, all of which are used to lower blood pressure (BP). Regarding Lercanidipine, I do not prefer this for two reasons (a bit technical). Because the LV (left ventricular) ejection fraction of your mother is reduced moderately that is 46 percent, and drugs belonging to the group in which Lercanidipine lies, are not used because these drugs have detrimental effects on the function of the left ventricle. These drugs reduce BP but reflexly raise the heart rate. Your mother uses Bisoprolol, which decreases the heart rate to protect the heart. If this Bisoprolol is combined with Lercanidipine, it will cancel the rate-reducing effects of Bisoprolol. To reduce these side effects, I have prescribed Amlodipine, which reduces BP but has no detrimental effects on the function of the left ventricle. Regarding Furosemide, this drug is used to increase urine formation. I have prescribed the combination pill, which also contains a diuretic, that is HCT (Hydrochlorothiazide). 90 percent of patients prefer the single pill, so the doctors prescribe multi-drug combination pills for ease of patients and for compliance. I, therefore, prescribed Amlodipine, Valsartan, and HCT combination. Urine report shows urinary infection. For this infection, I suggest taking tablet Ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice a day for five days. Another thing evident from this report (attachment removed to protect patient identity) is that diabetes is not well controlled. Please keep a check on blood glucose levels, and keep them within range. Fasting levels less than 130, random levels less than 200, and HbA1c (hemoglobin A1c) levels less than eight. Please ensure compliance with medicine and have laboratory tests done, which I prescribed, check daily blood pressure, keep a record of it, and follow up after 10 days.

I hope this has helped you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Can Amlodipine be used in patients with sufficient cardiac conditions? My mother's blood pressure is higher during the afternoon.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, Amlodipine is safe from a cardiac point of view. What is your mother's BP (blood pressure) and what medicines is she taking? I had prescribed Amlodipine, Valsartan, and Hydrochlorothiazide. Is she taking it or any other?

The Probable causes

The Probable cause can be due to inappropriate medicines dose.

Investigations to be done

I have already advised it previously.

Regarding follow up

Please follow-up with the details I have asked for previously.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

She has blood pressure readings in the afternoons of 170/100 mmHg, and her face turned red during lunchtime. She is taking Bisoprolol 10 mg and Furosemide. In the evenings she is taking Lercanidipine 10 mg.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Still on Bisoprolol, Furosemide, and Lecarnidipine? I had suggested a tablet combination of Amlodipine, Valsartan, and Hydrochlorothiazide, or it may be taken in separate forms. Also, keep taking Bisoprolol. Please take prescribed medicines and then monitor your mother's blood pressure.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at icliniq.

Thank you.

Treatment plan

Treatment plan includes taking tablet Amlodipine 10 mg in the morning, tablet Valsartan 160 mg in the morning, tablet Furosemide 40 mg in the morning, and tablet Bisoprolol 5 mg in the daytime after lunch. Alternatively, take a combination pill of Amlodipine, Valsartan, and Hydrochlorothiazide in the morning and Bisoprolol after lunch.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Muhammad Zohaib Siddiq
Dr. Muhammad Zohaib Siddiq

Cardiology

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