How to effectively manage high blood pressure?

Question

Hello doctor,

My mother's blood pressure is 130/80 mmHg in the morning, but by 10 pm, before she takes her medicine for the night, her BP rises to 160/80 mmHg. She is taking calcium channel blockers, which cause swelling in her legs, resulting in difficulty walking. Currently, she is on the following medications: Moxonidine 0.3 mg twice daily, Telmisartan 40 mg twice daily, Atorvastatin along with Aspirin at night, Prazosin 5 mg twice daily, Metoprolol succinate 50 mg twice daily, Torasemide 5mg, and Benidipine 8 mg.

Please advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concerns.

She is taking many medications, but if her blood pressure remains elevated, the possible reasons could include not reducing salt intake, not following healthy lifestyle guidelines, and not exercising. Additionally, the medications may not be taken appropriately, and some over-the-counter drugs, such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), can raise blood pressure.

She is overweight, and if the BP cuff bladder is less than two-thirds of the arm circumference, it may cause a falsely high reading. Other conditions, such as hypothyroidism, may also contribute to secondary hypertension. A serum TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test is recommended to rule this out. Please consider these factors when measuring her blood pressure.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.