Going Higher
Blood pressure problems among kids are rising High blood pressure is common in adults, and it’s also an increasing concern in children, in part due to rising obesity rates. An estimated 3.5 percent of kids and teens in the U.S. have chronic high blood pressure, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). High blood pressure, […]
Sexual side effects from blood pressure medicine can affect both men and women
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I know that some blood pressure drugs cause erectile dysfunction in men. Are there other sexual side effects that might affect women as well? Are certain drugs less likely to affect one’s sex life? A: Yes, other sexual problems in addition to erectile […]
Discovering need to treat high blood pressure may be too late
Source: University of Alabama at Birmingham whatdoctorsknow.com Untreated high blood pressure, or hypertension, wreaks havoc on the body, leading to heart disease and stroke. Research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham published in the journal Stroke shows that, although HBP medications are beneficial, it is as risky to wait for the condition to develop […]
Finding cause of low blood pressure can help determine treatment
Mayo Clinic Q&A DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What is considered “low” for the diastolic number in a blood pressure reading? What would a low reading mean? If the systolic number is within normal range, what can be done to alter the diastolic number? ANSWER: A blood pressure reading has two numbers, given in millimeters of mercury. […]
Stress raising your blood pressure? Take a deep breath
Harvard Health Blog Stress is rampant, and high blood pressure (what doctors call hypertension) is on the rise. So it’s no wonder patients often ask if stress is causing their hypertension. We have no proof that stress alone can cause persistently elevated blood pressure. (Part of the reason is that high-quality studies quantifying stress are […]
Fainting: Simple or something to worry about?
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I fainted a couple times in the past three weeks. I woke up on the ground. No injury but I don’t recall what happened. I consider myself a healthy 26-year-old woman. Should I be worried? A: Fainting can be alarming, and it should […]
Eight ways to lower blood pressure besides cutting sodium
EatingWell.com When it comes to “natural” ways to improve blood pressure, sodium restriction snags the spotlight. Most experts agree that limiting sodium is a smart strategy for those looking to lower blood pressure, but why focus on what you can’t — or shouldn’t — have? Shift your emphasis to positive lifestyle changes you can make […]
Everyone can take steps to help control their blood pressure
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’ve been on blood pressure medication for nine months. It has lowered my blood pressure, but I’m having trouble with side effects like dizziness. I eat a healthy diet and walk every day, but want to know if there are other ways to lower my blood pressure so that hopefully I can […]
Dizzy? It might be low blood pressure
By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: Over the last couple months, I began getting dizzy. My blood pressure gets very low. If I don’t sit down right away, I pass out. My doctor thinks I have neurally mediated hypotension. What is this, and how is it treated? A: Neurally mediated hypotension (NMH) is a condition of […]
The Medicine Cabinet-Ask the Harvard Experts: Sexual side effects vary based on type of blood pressure drug
By Howard LeWine, M.D., Tribune Content Agency Q: I recently started a new blood pressure medicine. I know that some of them cause erectile dysfunction in men, but my problem is low sex drive. Is this a side effect of the drug? A: Sexual problems are one of the most common side effects from drugs […]
The Kid’s Doctor: Have your child’s blood pressure checked regularly
By Sue Hubbard, M.D., www.kidsdr.com When you take your child in for a check-up, does your pediatrician check the youngster’s blood pressure? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children, beginning at the age of 3, should routinely have their blood pressure checked. In certain circumstances, even younger children should have their blood pressure […]
The Medicine Cabinet-Ask the Harvard Experts: Experts recommend personalized blood pressure goal for people with heart disease
By Howard LeWine, M.D., Tribune Content Agency Q: I am 68 years old. Other than chest pain from angina if I over exert myself, I feel fine. My blood pressure has been running around 145/90. Do I need medicine to lower it? A: Your question is very timely. For decades, high blood pressure (hypertension) was […]
Sauna time linked to longer life, fewer fatal heart problems
By Beverly Merz Harvard Health Blog After such a long, frigid winter, I wouldn’t mind sitting in a sauna for a while. A new report in JAMA Internal Medicine makes this pastime even more appealing: Regularly spending time in a sauna may help keep the heart healthy and extend life. Researchers from the University of […]
