AboutWilliam B. Jeffries, Ph.D. Expertise Questions on the mechanism of action and side effects of antihypertensive drugs, the epidemiology of hypertension and the cardiovascular complications of untreated or undertreated high blood pressure
Experience I have been an investigator in the field of hypertension research for over 20 years.
Organizations Council for High Blood Pressure Research
American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
American Heart Association
Publications Hypertension, Journal of Hypertension, Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Molecular Pharmacology, American Journal of Physiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics of Dentistry
Question I am a 35yr old white female weighs about 119pds. and 5"1' and would say that I am overall pretty healty.
I have been on Toprol XL for about 6yrs, I have Mitral Valve Prolaspe. My BP usually runs anywhere from 120/80 to 140/85 depending on the situation. It seems everytime I go to the doctor it's high. My Doctor now wants me to start takig Altace to control my so-called high blood pressure. I am a bit nervous about taking this and the Toprol. I really hate taking any medications at all. My doc told me for my age and size my BP should run about 90/70 ?! It has never been that,,,here I was thinking 120/80 was pretty normal? Like I said when he checks me (because I am so nervous) it spikes to 145/85. What are your thoughts on this? And what is a normal BP reading for someone my age...and do you think I should start taking this medication ALTACE? Thank you...
Answer The condition you describe is called "white coat hypertension." Recent thinking about this condition has changed. It was once felt that evidence of hypertension only the the doctor's office was not serious and did not need treatment. More recent evidence shows that such people have blood pressure spikes in other circumstances as well and that this hypertension increases their risk of cardiovacular events. Thus white coat hypertension should be addressed. With respect to size and blood pressure, there is not a great correlation. For example, rat blood pressure is similar to human blood pressure, despite the great difference in body mass. Normal blood pressure should be UNDER 120/80. 119/79 is the maximum for normal pressure, so you are at the upper limit. My advice would be to take the altace and see what happens. take care.
