High blood pressure and water pills

[nikki_e]

I'm just beginning my research on this, so please bear with me.

I went to the doc on Friday. It probably wasn't the best day to check my blood pressure, as I was in the middle of one of the highest days of stress in my working career. My blood pressure was high.

Before Atkins, I was always kind of borderline, but never high enough to require meds. Since I've been on Atkins, especially in the last year, every time I have it checked at the doctor, it has been pretty close to 120/80.

Well, not this time. It was something like 150/115 ( I can't remember exactly). I need to go back on Saturday to have it rechecked and the doctor said she might put me on water pills to help control it. Why water pills? Does anybody know? Anything I should be concerned about Atkinswise when it comes to water pills or other blood pressure meds?

I am praying that it was high just because of the stressful day I was having, however, my dad has been on blood pressure meds since he was 25, so it does run in the family.

Thanks for your input!

[2big4mysize]

Sorry didn't see this one.

Hopefully your blood pressure was normal on Sat and this is a mute point but
diuretics or water pills are the easiest on the body way to control blood pressure and the latest medical news is no matter what else the doc is using water pills should also be used. they are also fairly cheap. That said you should be getting a narual diuretic effect on Atkins and make sure your doc is aware of this should you be needing those pills. you don't want your potassium to get to low.

[nikki_e]

Thanks 2Big. My blood pressure was still high so I'm on the water pills now. I did tell the doctor that I was on Atkins, which is a natural diuretic and she didn't seem concerned about it. I'm going to take them for 2 weeks and then go back for a recheck. If its still high then, she said they would look at other blood pressure meds along with the water pills. She said there are even some other meds that have "water pill powers" built right into them, so you don't have to take two pills, pay for two prescriptions, etc. And you are right. They are cheap. I got a 2 month supply for $9.99.

I'll have to mention the potassium thing at my next appointment and see what she has to say about it. Thanks for your input. I'll report back in 2 weeks.

[2big4mysize]

potassium is also a natural blood pressure lowerer too, so just make sure you don't undo the good your water pills do by getting your potassium too low wwith those poor food choices many Atkins eaters make cause they want the lowest possible carb vegie and or fruits in OWL and not nessasarily the healthiest ones.