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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Hypertension Be Treated?

I am 45 year old AFRICAN-AMERICAN who was diagnoses with high blood pressure in December. I was started on Lisinopril 10 mg....my blood pressure has not been coming down much at all. Yesterday it was 222/102. Do you feel that I need to get a higher dose or another medicine?
Fri, 7 Apr 2017
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Diabetologist,  's  Response
Hello,

Thank you for your query. I understand your concerns.

From what you have mentioned, Lisinopril 10 mg is not enough to control your BP. Lisinopril 10 mg is only a small dose. The dose can be increased to 40 mg/day. Once the dose is increased recheck your Kidney function tests (urea, creatinine and electrolytes) after 1-2 weeks. This is to make sure that the increased dose has not affected your kidneys( which can happen in a small percentage of patients). Sometimes a small dose of a water tablet like Hydrochlorthiazide 12.5 mgs is added to Lisinopril to control the BP.

Having said the above, BP of 222/102 is very high. It is called Malignant hypertension and a patient with such a high BP needs to be monitored closely in a hospital, as there is an increased risk of stroke. Such high BP is also gradually reduced by giving intravenous blood pressure lowering medications.

I would advise you to go to ER/ Emergency / Casualty as soon as possible.

I wish you a speedy recovery.

I hope this answer has been helpful to you.

Regards
Dr Sunita Sayammagaru

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How Can Hypertension Be Treated?

Hello, Thank you for your query. I understand your concerns. From what you have mentioned, Lisinopril 10 mg is not enough to control your BP. Lisinopril 10 mg is only a small dose. The dose can be increased to 40 mg/day. Once the dose is increased recheck your Kidney function tests (urea, creatinine and electrolytes) after 1-2 weeks. This is to make sure that the increased dose has not affected your kidneys( which can happen in a small percentage of patients). Sometimes a small dose of a water tablet like Hydrochlorthiazide 12.5 mgs is added to Lisinopril to control the BP. Having said the above, BP of 222/102 is very high. It is called Malignant hypertension and a patient with such a high BP needs to be monitored closely in a hospital, as there is an increased risk of stroke. Such high BP is also gradually reduced by giving intravenous blood pressure lowering medications. I would advise you to go to ER/ Emergency / Casualty as soon as possible. I wish you a speedy recovery. I hope this answer has been helpful to you. Regards Dr Sunita Sayammagaru