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Suggest Treatment For Diastolic Dysfunction
Question: I'm a 54yo male, 162 lbs, 5 or 6 days a week I walk 4 miles or do an hour of elliptical. Usually have elevated bp @ Dr office (today 138/78) but it's pretty much 120/80 when I check at home. No heart disease symptoms or other health problems. My father had an aortic aneurysm in his 60s, so I get an echocardiogram and abdominal ultrasound every few years. Last one showed 4cm aortic root, and mild/moderate diastolic dysfunction (previous test several years ago showed same aortic size but I don't think I got an earlier test that could diagnose dysfunction). Dr. now wants me to go on bp medication to stay at 120/80. My questions: 1) Is bp medication worthwhile since I'm already usually at 120/80? 2) Is my exercise regimen possibly contributing to diastolic dysfunction or enlarged aorta and if so how much should I cut back? 3) Is there anything else I should do or not do at this time?
Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain as follows:
1- Regarding your blood pressure values, it is necessary a more close monitoring of your blood pressure, in order to come into conclusions about possible high blood pressure. For this reason, I would recommend monitoring your blood pressure frequently during the day (sitting position after 10 minutes of total relax) for a week and write down these values and than show them to your doctor.
If these values are above 120/80mmHg most of the time, starting anti-hypertensive therapy would be recommended for two main reasons:
a) To avoid possible progression of mild/moderate diastolic dysfunction which is mainly caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure.
b) To avoid further dilation of your aortic root which is in the upper normal limits.
2- Regarding your exercise regimen, I would recommend continuing it. The only advise I would give is to avoid straining physical activity and especially heavy weight lifting, which is not recommended in your clinical situation.
3- Another thing to do would be diet modifications. I would recommend reducing salt and caffeine intake in diet, which has a great influence in your blood pressure.
It is also necessary avoiding possible risk factors like smoking, dyslipidemia and diabetes (a regular check up of your blood lipid profile and fasting glucose would be helpful).
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain as follows:
1- Regarding your blood pressure values, it is necessary a more close monitoring of your blood pressure, in order to come into conclusions about possible high blood pressure. For this reason, I would recommend monitoring your blood pressure frequently during the day (sitting position after 10 minutes of total relax) for a week and write down these values and than show them to your doctor.
If these values are above 120/80mmHg most of the time, starting anti-hypertensive therapy would be recommended for two main reasons:
a) To avoid possible progression of mild/moderate diastolic dysfunction which is mainly caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure.
b) To avoid further dilation of your aortic root which is in the upper normal limits.
2- Regarding your exercise regimen, I would recommend continuing it. The only advise I would give is to avoid straining physical activity and especially heavy weight lifting, which is not recommended in your clinical situation.
3- Another thing to do would be diet modifications. I would recommend reducing salt and caffeine intake in diet, which has a great influence in your blood pressure.
It is also necessary avoiding possible risk factors like smoking, dyslipidemia and diabetes (a regular check up of your blood lipid profile and fasting glucose would be helpful).
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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