Question about Blood Pressure meds

[momshell7]

I have a couple of questions that hopefully someone will be able to answer. Jeff just left his appointment with his PCP. He lowered Jeff's bp meds. He was taking 125mg of lopressure now he taking 100mg. But, he is also now supposed to take Lotension. ( sorry for any and all misspellings). One med is a beta-blocker and the other is an alph-inhibiter ( I think that is what he said). Is it common to take both kinds of meds at the same time?

Also, when he had his latest set of blood and urine tests, his urine had some protein in it. It has been like that on and off since last winter when he had strep throat really bad. His blood test showed that his sugar levels are high and he is in the early stages of diabetes, which runs in his family.

Is it possible that the second blood pressure med is being used in some way to help the other problems? I am very confused. I don't particularly like Jeff's PCP, ( I went to see him twice and he seemed to have a very aloof attitude) so I question a lot of the things he does. Jeff didn't ask any questions as to why he had to start the other meds. He just said that " He's the doctor. I am just doing what he says". GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR He doesn't listen that good when I tell him things!!

Any help would greatly be appreciated!

Michelle

 

[Ross]

Not uncommon at all to be taking various drugs for blood pressure. In my case, it's DiovanHCT and Atenolol. Same deal as Jeff, just different drugs. Yes it's possible that one is being used for something else, but given this information, I doubt it very much. I would think BP only in this case.

 

[KathyH]

Michelle,
As Ross said, it is very common to be on more than one BP med. Both medications help lower the BP, but they do it in different ways. The lopressor is the beta blocker that helps lower the pulse and keeps the heart beating more efficiently. Pt who are diabetic are often put on an ACE inhibitor (angiotension converting enzyme ) It helps to protect your kidneys and over the years diabetics can develop kidney problems, that is why the Dr checks the urine for protein. Some diabetics are even put on a low dose of an Ace inhibitor without having high blood pressure. Occassionally, some people develop a cough as a side effect of the medication and can't take this class of medications.
Kathy H

 

[momshell7]

Thanks!

Thanks!

Ross and Kathy,

Thanks for your replies. I feel a lot better now. I was a little concerned after Jeff's appointment since he didn't ask WHY he was being put on two different meds. I guess I am a still a newbie when it comes to the heart conditions and don't feel totally comfortable trusting the PCP, as opposed to the cardiologist since he specializes in the heart. I just want to make sure Jeff is getting the best care possible! I guess I can relax and trust he doctor on this one.

Thanks again for the responses!
Michelle