Blood Pressure and Water Pills

[nikki_e]

I posted this over in the blood pressure forum, but thought I'd maybe get a better response here. Anybody have any info or thoughts?:

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!

[Momtofour]

Blood pressure medicines are a dieuretic just like the Atkins diet. All the medicines do is reduce the water in your body ( water pills ) When my husband started taking HBP meds he had to go the bathroom all the time. He's used to it now. If you do have to take some meds I would think the Atkins WOE would only be a benefit to this since it is doing the same thing. Does this make sense. Hopefully it was just the stress that day that gave you a high reading. Good luck!

[Hinen]

Sorry, nothing to add.

[sogamusicman]

Be very careful taking a diuretic with this WOE. Dr. Atkins says (read the first book carefully) that he doesn't recommend this because this WOE acts like a diuretic already. So now you are doubling the diuretic effect. A quick way to dehydrate yourself. I discovered this after they put me in the hospital for dehydration. I work outside and it's very hot in South Georgia. Yes, I know how to hydrate myself, but the Atkins WOE will make you lose water. My doctor stopped the diuretic and I'm fine. I still take BP medication, but not as much (the day is coming when I won't need it at all!), but without the diuretic in it. Discuss this with your doctor. If he doesn't understand, I suggest trying another Doctor. It's your body and your health. Gos Bless!

[k5commando]

How much exercise do you get? I used to be on Zestril for my hypertention and havn't taken it in 10 months. My blood pressure is now 120/68 and in the optimal range without any meds. I credit most of that to the daily exercise (and to 70 lbs less fat). I hated being on those meds, I swear I would get up 10 times a night to pee! Car trips were terrible too.

[nikki_e]

Thanks for all of your input!

I try to get my exercise in, but haven't been getting in as much as I should. I usually exercise at least 3 times per week. I belong to Curves, where I do a 45 minute workout, or I go for hour plus walks.

I'm really hoping it was the stress that day that caused those high numbers. Like I said, in the last year, I had really seen a drop in my blood pressure, but then all of a sudden I got this bad reading. I guess I will see how it is on Saturday!