High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
What Are Metoprolol Side Effects When Prescribed…
Metoprolol is one of the most prescribed drugs in the United States. At last count, nearly 90 millions prescriptions were dispensed annually. It has FDA approval to treat high blood pressure and heart…
Can Tylenol – Acetaminophen Raise Blood Pressu…
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most popular drugs in the pharmacy. That’s because there is a lot of pain out there. Whether it’s from headaches, arthritis or backaches…
Will a Potassium Salt Substitute Lower Your Bloo…
When epidemiologists and cardiologists give advice about hypertension, they often recommend that we cut back on salt (Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Oct. 11, 2016). Strict salt restric…
How Are Home Tests and Devices Revolutionizing H…
The FDA announced on March 5, 2024 that it has approved "...the first over-the-counter (OTC) continuous glucose monitor (CGM)." Many people with type 2 diabetes already use such devices, but they requ…
Ibuprofen and High Blood Pressure: A Dangerous R…
Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is on the rise (Open Heart, April 28, 2017). We're talking about drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen. Such pain relievers are perceived as quite safe…
Show 1378: Rediscovering the Power of Medicinal …
This week, two guests describe their work with the healing power of medicinal herbs. They draw upon family histories of herbalism along with their own studies of how to use botanical medicines. You ma…
Tai Chi Helps Blood Pressure Control
If blood pressure begins to creep up, a person might be diagnosed with prehypertension. In some cases, the healthcare provider will offer a prescription to lower blood pressure. Other individuals migh…
Salt Substitute Can Cut the Risk of High Blood P…
Americans love salt (and we are not the only ones who do). However, doctors warn us sternly that sodium chloride (aka salt) raises blood pressure. Public health officials frequently advise cutting sal…
Show 1371: America’s Pharmacist Compares N…
This week, we talk with America’s Pharmacist, Suzy Cohen, about the effectiveness of medications and natural healing. Suzy has a multimedia presence in newspapers and on television. Millions of peop…
Should You Be Taking Vitamin Supplements?
Vitamins were among the most exciting discoveries of the early 20th century. Since then, however, doctors have been expressing a lot of skepticism about the value of taking vitamin supplements. Last y…
What Is the Best Time to Eat?
A small study shows that the timing of meals can have a profound impact on blood sugar, insulin secretion and blood pressure. But what is the best time to eat? A reader is concerned that her late-nigh…
Picking a Diet That Lowers Blood Pressure
Are you looking for a diet that lowers blood pressure? Most healthcare practitioners would recommend the DASH diet. The acronym stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Many studies have sh…
Does Grape Juice Have Heart Healthy Benefits?
Over the years, readers have told us about using grape juice to manage a range of conditions. Some people mix it with plant pectin (Certo) to ease the pain of arthritic joints. Others report it soothe…
Which Blood Pressure Medications Work Best?
If you were going to buy a new car, a laptop computer or a coffee maker, you'd want to know how to get the best buy for your money. Instead of relying on advertising from the manufacturer, you might t…
Does Loneliness Raise Your Risk for Parkinson Di…
In May 2023, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy raised the alarm about an epidemic of loneliness. He suggested that up to half of American adults feel isolated and disconnected from social support. The C…
Could Your Pharmacist Help You Control Your Bloo…
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure (aka hypertension). Might you be among them? Only about one person in four with hyp…
What’s the Best Way to Measure Blood Press…
Have you ever had a nurse or doctor measure blood pressure? Of course you have. It's almost impossible to avoid having your BP tested these days. The trouble is that more often than not it is measured…
Can You Trust Your Electronic Prescriptions?
There was a time when a visit to the doctor's office often resulted in a paper prescription that you would take to the pharmacy. Nowadays there is a strong likelihood that if you need a medication you…
How Would You Know Whether Your Medicine Works?
The FDA assures Americans that its review process guarantees that “drugs are safe and effective.” But anyone who watches television knows from the drug commercials that the agency approves medic…
What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Long COVID?
One of the revelations from the COVID pandemic is that people can suffer debilitating symptoms long after they have recovered from the acute infection. Long COVID affects tens of millions of people wh…
How to Sleep During Anxious Times
This is a terrible time to be an insomniac. Headlines are designed to provoke anxiety or fear. Contentious political clashes and war make the nighttime news distressing. When the days get shorter and …
Can You Trust Your Blood Pressure Measurements? …
Visit a doctor's office for almost anything that ails you and the chances are good you will have your blood pressure measured. That's because it is an essential diagnostic procedure to detect hyperten…
Lisinopril and Angioedema: A Life-Threatening Si…
Lisinopril is the most frequently prescribed blood pressure pill in the United States. At last count, about 20 million Americans take this ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor daily. We estim…
Seven Mistakes to Avoid When Measuring Blood Pre…
Do you have hypertension? If not, you are almost an anomaly. The AHA (American Heart Association) estimates that 122 million Americans have high blood pressure (Circulation, Feb. 23, 2023). This puts …
Is a Low Salt Diet Dangerous for Your Health?
Warning: prepare for whiplash! We know that for the last 50 years you have heard a constant drum beat from public health officials, cardiologists, nutritionists and most other health professionals tha…
Shocking Conflicts of Interest in Nonprofit Pati…
Americans are big boosters of patient advocacy organizations (PAOs). They contribute hundreds of millions of dollars to nonprofits like the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society and …
Show 1352: Home Tests, Tech and Tools to Improve…
Only a few decades ago, most households had very limited ways of measuring their members’ health. There were thermometers to tell if someone had a fever. A bathroom scale could tell if you were losi…
Blood Pressure Measurement Mistakes and Misdiagn…
When was the last time you visited a doctor's office? Whether it was last month or a few years ago, you almost assuredly experienced the same routine: 1) you were weighed, 2) your blood pressure was m…
Amlodipine and Dizziness: How Common is This Sid…
Amlodipine is a commonly prescribed blood pressure medicine. At last count, 17 million people take amlodipine daily in the US. It is referred to as a calcium channel blocker (CCB) or a calcium antagon…
Do You Take Olive Oil for Your Blood Pressure?
Have you been looking for natural ways to lower your blood pressure? People who manage their blood pressure with medications are less likely to experience cognitive decline (JAMA, May 19, 2020). What'…
Is Intensive Blood Pressure Control Worthwhile o…
In recent years, most physicians have become far more aggressive when it comes to intensive blood pressure control. That's largely because the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Hea…
Amlodipine (Norvasc) Side Effects
For reasons that remain somewhat mysterious to us, amlodipine (Norvasc) is one of the most popular blood pressure medications in the pharmacy. This calcium channel blocker lowers blood pressure in par…
Clonidine (Catapres) Side Effects & Complic…
Clonidine is an old drug by any standard. It was developed by Boehringer Ingelheim in the early 1960s to treat nasal congestion. The idea was to administer clonidine as nose drops. But the medication …
Is Your Home Blood Pressure Monitor Up to Snuff?
How accurate is your home blood pressure monitor? Readings can determine whether someone is put on medicine or not. How would you even begin to determine whether your measurements are accurate? Becaus…
Which BP Drug Works Best for You?
Chances are good you are taking a blood pressure (BP) medication. That’s because guidelines from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) consider anything greater than 120/80 “elevated” blood p…
How Can You Use Beets for Better Blood Pressure?
With concerns about contaminated antihypertensive medications, many people are interested in ways to lower their blood pressure without drugs. There is a wide range of options: exercise, weight loss, …
Show 1307: Cocoa Compounds and the COSMOS Trial …
This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we explore the power of cocoa compounds to help heart health. Our first guest is Harvard’s Dr. JoAnn Manson, lead investigator of the COSMOS trial.…
How Positive Relationships Support Your Health
When doctors assess a patient’s health, they often measure things like blood pressure, cholesterol and physical activity. A new study suggests that social relationships, in particular positive relat…
Beet Juice Was Better Than a Drug for Lowering B…
Some natural products have an impressive ability to affect human physiology. Among these are vegetables naturally high in nitrate, particularly beets (referred to in England as beetroot). Research sho…
Hypertension Heresy: Are We Overtreating High Bl…
Prepare for whiplash. What I am about to share with you will confuse you and make your doctor quite anxious. But I feel obligated to share data on high blood pressure that are seemingly contradictory.…