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 QUESTION: I'm a 58 yr. old male, not over weight and don't smoke. I do take medication to lower cholesterol. I walk 5-6 days a week for 45 minutes. In the morning, before I walk when blood pressure can be at its highest, my systolic can be as high as 135-140 and
diastolic around 90. But after exercising mid-morning, I'll take my BP in the evening and it can be as low as 115/70 or less. I know readings flucuate, but is someone with those kinds of readings a candidate for medication? Thanks
ANSWER: That blood pressure range would not require treatment. Congratulations on what I would view as very good blood pressures.
Regards,
Domenic Sica, M.D.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Ok, thanks. But what I'm concerned about is the BP readings in the morning before I exercise when it's 135/90, don't the current guidelines say it should be below 120/80? That's my concern.
Answer I am not aware of any guidelines that state that morning blood pressure should be less than 120/80 mm Hg. If your thought is that you want to see morning blood pressure lower than I would suggest the following: obtain morning readings for several days and average the value, chart your duration and quality of sleep with each value in that sleep quality and amount has a dominant effect on blood pressure in the early morning, once this information is in hand either share it with your treating physician so a discussion can be had as to what is the best blood pressure for you or if you want I would be happy to offer some additional thoughts.
