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 have had Hypertension since my early 20's. I am now 64.
The first 30 years, I would go to the doctor and be told that my BP of 145/95 was too high and had to take medication. Then I would try the medication which made me feel bad and just stop taking them. Recently, I have had instances of 230/130.
Anyhow, I read an article titled
Individualizing the Treatment of Hypertension
In the article, it was stated that ICG was capable of identifying which of the various reasons an individual has hypertension.
Impedance cardiography is one way of individualizing the approach to controlling blood pressure based on which factors are most likely causing the hypertension in the individual patients.
Could you comment on this?
I am familiar with the BioZ machine sold by CardioDynamics. I was pleased to find out that my cardiologists had a BioZ. When I asked him about using it on me, he said "It is not used for this". I gathered up information detailing its use to diagnose my HBP problems and gave it to him. I like this doctor as a person, he is always jolly and in good humor, but I can't imagine that he would spend $35,000 on a BioZ in 2005 and still not know that it can be used for diagnosing potential causes of hypertension.
IGC may not be a magic bullet, but it is a tool that should be available in any doctors office.
By the way, I have seen older models of the BioZ for sale on Ebay for as little as $900.00. I am even considering buying one and donating it to my local free clinic.
Answer Impedance cardiography has yet to take hold in the treatment of hypertension. Interpreting the results from its use requires some considerable experience with it and thereafter medication changes. Many of these same changes can be made empirically by a skilled clinician without the benefit of impedance cardiography and blood pressure successfully controlled. Your blood pressure pattern sounds unusual with values as high as 230/130. If this truly a spiking blood pressure pattern then something like impedance cardiography offers no benefit/insight into mechanisms. A careful history and physical examination is the best answer to spiking blood pressure patterns. I do not have the full details of your case so I can at best surmise things from what you have stated/
