February 2009
Volume 2 Issue 3

Low Pressure News is provided to you compliments of InterCure, the developer of RESPeRATE. Our goal is to provide you with valuable information about non-drug treatments for hypertension.

We'd love to hear your feedback and ideas about Low Pressure News. Happy reading!

- The RESPeRATE Cares Team

Thought of the Day
"If your head tells you one thing, and your heart tells you another, before you do anything, you should first decide whether you have a better head or a better heart."
- Marilyn vos Savant

HYPERTENSION NEWS

Women's Heart Rate Helps Detect Health Risks
(Reuters) Measuring a woman's heart rate at rest can help predict her risk of heart attack or dying from heart disease, giving doctors a simple, inexpensive way to monitor health risks, researchers said on Wednesday.
The study published in the British Medical Journal showed that postmenopausal women who had the highest resting heart rate were 26 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack or die from cardiovascular disease than those with the lowest rates
Read more »

U.S. Heart Attacks Become Less Severe
(HealthDay News) First-time heart attacks in the United States aren't as deadly now as they have been in past decades, a long-running study finds.
"We know that deaths from heart disease are going down," said Dr. Merle Myerson, director of the cardiovascular disease prevention program at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, and lead author of a report in the Jan. 20 issue of Circulation. "One reason why is that heart attacks are less severe. People are not coming in with these massive heart attacks that are killing them."
Read more »

ASK DR. ROWENA

Q:I've been congested (seasonal allergies) since March of 08 and was diagnosed with high blood pressure in June. I am taking enlapril hctz 5-12.5. I really want to take decongestants but I'm not due to high blood pressure. Antibiotics and prednisone did not help. My allergist does not know what to do. What do you suggest?
A:Treatment of chronic nasal congestion is difficult in sufferers of hypertension because decongestants elevate blood pressure. Steam, nasal irrigation and Breathe Right strips (Go to: "http://www.breatheright.com for a discount coupon) can offer relief without side effects.

Q:When I have a blood pressure reading of 140 over 63, I'm afraid to take my Metoprolol, fearing that my low reading will go too low. What do you suggest?
A:At 140/63, your blood pressure should be treated. If you are having symptoms of too low blood pressure when taking your medication as prescribed, you need to tell your doctor. Common symptoms of low blood pressure are light headedness, dizziness, and feeling faint with standing.

Q:I went to see my doctor a few days ago and my pressure was 175/118. She gave me hydrochlorothiazide 12.5mg. I never had this problem before and I want to know if it is because I drink a lot of alcohol every day. I don't want to take the med because of side effects. I'm only 33 and am too young to be on this med. What can I do to bring my BP down without the med?
A:Your blood pressure is in the range that needs treatment. Starting treatment with a diuretic is standard. You are young and can make lifestyle changes now that will greatly influence your health for the rest of your life. It is reasonable to stay on the diuretic until you have made all the appropriate lifestyle changes and your pressure is under control. At that time, you and your doctor could consider attempting to stop or lower your medication while carefully monitoring your blood pressure. Excessive drinking is very hard on the body. For information about alcoholism, go to: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alcoholism.html

Click here for more Ask Dr. Rowena Q&A
Share your own knowledge and opinions by posting comments!

DID YOU KNOW?

February is American Heart Month!

February is Heart Month in more ways than one. Not only is it a time to celebrate loved ones on Valentines Day but it's also American Heart Month, proclaimed by the US Congress since 1963. Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, remain the nation's No. 1 killer. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event. The goal of American Heart Month is to raise awareness of heart health and urge Americans to join the battle against these diseases.

Learn your risk for heart disease and how to make healthy lifestyle changes to lower your risk for heart disease and stroke by taking the American Heart Association's quiz.(Register after the quiz to receive a free cookbook.)

RESPeRATE USERS SAY

Hugh, Virginia

I purchased Resperate in the spring of 2008. I used it regularly since I wanted to bring down my BP of 190/90 that had been measured several times early in 2008.

In early September I had cataract surgery in my right eye. Prior to "going under" the anesthesia, I had occasion to glance up at the BP readings on the monitor attached to me. I was very happy to see a reading of 126/65 on that BP monitor. I was also happy to see a much lower heart rate of about 75 BPM versus an earlier rate of 87 BPM.

So, from my experience with Resperate, it has worked very well for me. I'm keeping up its use 4-5 times per week and find that using it prior to bed time makes it much easier for me to get to sleep.