Hypertension/medication?

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Expert: Domenic Sica - 5/30/2009


Question
I'm a male in my late 50's, not overweight and don't smoke. When I take my blood pressure in the mid morning, it can be as high as 140/95, give or take. But in the early evening, a few hours after exercising (brisk walking for 45 minutes), it's as low as 110/65. I know blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day and is highest in the morning, but would I be a candidate for medication even though it goes as low as it does?  Thanks

Answer
This kind of pattern is a little unusual. I would think the best thing is to ask your doctor if he can get 1 24-hr blood pressure monitor placed on you. This device is small (basically a BP cuff) and obtains 30-40 readings over a 24-hr time span. This number of readings could more definitively answer whether or not you have high blood pressure.

Regards,

Domenic Sica, M.D.

Hypertension

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Domenic Sica

Expertise

All aspects of hypertension as well as any consideration in drug therapy for the management of hypertension.

Experience

Heavily published in the area of drug therapy in hypertension and renal disease. Primary management physician for a large multi-state referral practice for diagnosis and management of complex hypertension

Organizations
Multiple including the American Society of Hypertension, International Society of Hypertension, American Society of Nephrology, American Heart Association, American College of Clinical Pharmacology amongst others.

Publications
Over 250 publications (see PubMed)

Education/Credentials
Board certified in internal medicine, nephrology, clinical pharmacology, and hypertension

Awards and Honors
Multiple awards as clinical and/or teacher of the year.

Past/Present Clients
Not pertinent

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