Controlling BP

Welcome to Connect @jean4801!
I can understand why you’re unsure what to do when your neurologist and cardiologist have given you different blood pressure goals, especially when you’re seeing readings around 160.

One thing I’ve learned from my own experience is that asking each of my doctors wasn’t always enough. I needed to go back and close the loop — making sure each doctor knew what the other was recommending and continuing to ask until I understood what the plan was for me. I’ve learned that sometimes I have to keep pushing that communication along.

I would not take an extra blood pressure pill unless the clinician prescribing it has given you instructions for when and how to do that. With the readings you’re getting and your aneurysm, this seems like something your neurology or cardiology team should know about so they can tell you what blood pressure goal they want you following and what they want you to do when you’re above it.

Have you told your neurologist that your cardiologist recommended staying under 140, and told your cardiologist that your neurologist wants you under 130? Have either of them given you instructions about what to do when your systolic pressure is running around 160?

Recently, I started keeping track of my BP and was using 120/80 as a guide. When I told my new cardiologist, he suggested I use 130 systolic as a guide. But then, my primary care doctor recommended using 140 systolic as my guide. Both are very good doctors and at the time I did not think to ask, but I suspect the 140 is an updated medical guideline. Maybe the American Heart Association can confirm?? I had been taking Carvedilol at 12.5 mg for 25 years to control my BP, but my tracking showed my BP was beyond the guidelines 53% of the time for those 25 years. My new cardiologist changed the dosage to 6.25 mg and then to 3.125 mg which is where I am now. My BP averages below 107/70 and sometimes it hovers in the mid 90s/70s range. I have an ascending aortic aneurysm so it's vital that I keep my BP low. I suspect that my original cardiologist (since fired!!) had over medicated me and that it may have caused the aneurysm. In your case, I suggest you see another doctor and have them review your medication. Good luck!

There are many different types of BP medicine. Increasing your dose without rec from Doc is not a good idea. Picking the correct med and dosage would seem simple but it is not always. One of the posts about what is safe fore exercise shared an excellent you tube presentation by an aneurysm specialist who emphasized that controlling BP is key to best prevention of progression of the aneurysm,
140 is older guideline. I believe the lower 120 is what I have read from aneurysm docs. Good luck with finding the best Doc for follow up

I was having a lot of issues with my BP, but since I started using an app called "MyDashDiet" to monitor my daily sodium intake, my BP rarely goes over 120. It takes discipline but I have to watch my BP closely since my aneurysm is a 5.2 which is higher than my doctor originally thought.

@asantoya12 hi looks and sounds like the right way to start i guess high bp would push the weak parts of an artery and enlarge your aneurysm please keep me informed on the difference