Blood pressure meds

[Butchga62]

I was previously put on triamterene with a diuretic when I started having kidney Grf issues. So I asked my doctor to put me on Lisinopril. It seems to protect the kidneys. My blood pressure this morning was 141/80. It has been fluctuating from 134/70 etc. while I am afraid to switch I wonder if this will help. Any thoughts.

Gail from Alabama

[Bassetmommer]

Hi Gail,2 things: You do not say how long you have been on the Lisinopril, and it takes time to work. And it all depends on what time you take you BP. Our BP is higher in the am and goes down during the day. Also, did you have coffee or tea before taking it. And... you need to sit still for a bit before you take it, like two or more minutes, and make sure the cuff is at the same height as your heart. I always correct Med Techs when they take my BP at the doctor's office. They rush you down the hall to the visit room, sit you down and put a cuff on you. I also make then do a manual because the machines are never accurate. (I am a PITA because I worked/taught in health care)

Make sure you take your BP at the same time every day and the readings over time should be an average. So if one day it is up and the next it is down, it can fluctuate according to blood volume: how much fluids, water you have consumed, and the time of day.

Hope this helps

[lowraind in reply to Bassetmommer]

Bassetmommer,

I could not agree more about office staff who: "... rush you down the hall to the visit room, sit you down and put a cuff on you. " Also, I have started to let the doctor know when their staff does not do the following: "you need to sit still for a bit before you take it, like two or more minutes, and make sure the cuff is at the same height as your heart."

In the event my pressure registers high, I insist on a second reading before I leave. It always returns to normal.

[RickHow]

You just switched so you have to realize that Lisinopril can take up to 2 to 4 weeks to become effective in controlling you bp. But over that period of time you should see a gradual reduction. ALSO, he gave you a dose, let's say 10mg. It may not be enough. After 3 weeks or so if you do not see a decline, he will likely increase the dose. It takes a while to get bp under control. I started on 10mg. Went to 20mg (10 in the morning, 10 in the evening). Was that way for years. Recently due to another medication that causes bp increase as a side effect, I had to up my dose to 20mg lisinopril in am and 20 in evening. It works perfectly (I also take 5mg amlodipine in am and 5 in pm.My doctor has me sit at home at least 3 minutes, preferably 5, then take pressure. Then sit 5 more minutes, take it again. Then average the two measurement and write it down. And to do the same at dinner time and before bed. Then after a week or two send him the numbers. My cardiologist tells me to do the same. DO NOT JUST TAKE YOUR PRESSURE ONE TIME, BUT TAKE IT 2 TIMES (morning, etc.) and record the average. Also if you had caffeine or food wait at least 30 minutes before taking measurement. Also it is beneficial, if you have to, to urinate before taking. Also:

Usually, blood pressure starts to rise a few hours before you wake up. It continues to rise during the day, peaking in midday. Blood pressure normally drops in the late afternoon and evening. Blood pressure is normally lower at night while you're sleeping.