High Blood Pressure Support Group

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a medical condition wherein the blood pressure is chronically elevated. Persistent hypertension is one of the risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and arterial aneurysm, and is a leading cause of chronic renal failure. Doctors recommend weight loss and regular exercise as the first steps in treating mild to moderate...

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Heart, Blood & Circulation
/ High Blood Pressure Support Group

Anyone taking Hydrochlorothiazide?

P00hbear
P00hbear
I have been prescribed this medication but I am scared to take it. At my age, my blood pressure is very high and I am a little overweight but not enough to make it so high. It is usually around 170/120. I feel just fine, but the Dr. wants me to take this med. I am afraid of the side effects of the med and wonder if there is another more natural way to lower my BP or what everyone's experiece with this med has been?
Goof
Goof
Pooh...its a diuretic...the Dr gave me that one too...and I wont take it...I feel like I need to detox...
P00hbear
P00hbear
Hi my friend, why won't you take it? Are you taking anything else? Have you tried it before? I am becoming more worried about the long term damage of high blood pressure
HEPCinRVA
HEPCinRVA
Pooh, I have been taking an HCTZ drug since July. The side effects aren't drastic i f they get the dosage right and you add supplemental potassium. Be sure and get extra potassium, though. Without that, you can get mega leg cramps, dizziness, weakness and headaches because diuretics drain potassium along with excess fluid.
Either take a supplement or get the doc to prescribe you a HCTZ/Potassium combo pill like Hyzaar. You can get a generic combo pill for $4.00 a month at Walmart.
On the non-rx side, I've heard good things about dandelion tea, uva ursi and of course, taking extra potassium. Garlic can help,too.
Losing weight, mild exercise and stress relief are also good.
P00hbear
P00hbear
Thank you very much for your post and advice. I bought a potassium supplement today and will likely start taking the pill tomorrow to see how I feel. I am working on the diet - actually am now much better than I used to be, and aerobic excercise is intermittent but I do a lot of walking places, walking the dog, etc. I really appreciate the encouragement.
HEPCinRVA
HEPCinRVA
Glad to have helped, Pooh. And always carry a banana with you for a quick snack. Bananas have loads of potassium and are very portable.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have chf and have been taking this med for 3 yrs now also had to have a pace maker. Now I fell great as before to when I had no problem I still take my meds.
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