AboutDomenic 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.
Question I am 43-year-old man who is overweight, a non-smoker, a non-consumer of caffeine and someone who does not consume that much sodium. In my 20's and most of my 30's, my blood pressure was normal, typically no higher than 120/75 and sometimes lower. For the past 18 months, my blood pressure has been elevated, as high as 160/110, more typically around 145/97. I am trying to lose weight, as excess weight seems likely a factor, but should I also consider medication? Also, could sleeping issues affect blood pressure? I have GERD and was recently diagnosed with a stricture and hiatal hernia and I tend to wake up many times during the night.
Answer At this blood pressure level it is unlikely that anything other than dramatic weight loss would normalize the blood pressure. Yes, the sleep disturbance you have is probably part of why the blood pressure is us as it is. Treating the GERD more aggressively would help with sleep and lower the blood pressure some. For the time being as the issue of weight and GERD are straightened out you probably should be receiving therapy for the blood pressure elevation.
