To lower your blood pressure with food, emphasize vegetables and skip the sweets. Following a DASH diet and eating plenty of garlic (or taking a supplement) can help.
Many people become upset with conflicting advice on nutrition. Are eggs good or bad? What about salt? Butter vs. margarine?
Few health professionals think hydrochlorothiazide side effects are serious. But a Danish study links HCTZ with squamous cell skin cancer.
People don't think they will suffer a medical mistake. Deadly drug interactions seem irrelevant. They are more common than most people think.
Salt substitutes with potassium chloride can lower blood pressure. But too much potassium can be deadly! Beware ACEis and ARB-type BP drugs!
Beta blockers such as atenolol, metoprolol and propranolol are prescribed for hypertension. Readers ask about metoprolol side effects.
Do you swallow 3+ pills daily? Preventing deadly drug interactions is hard, but essential! Prescribers and pharmacists bemoan alert fatigue.
Studies show a potassium salt substitute can lower sodium intake and reduce blood pressure. Could you benefit?
A study in the New England Journal of Medicine throws shade on beta blockers after heart attacks. Read about the pros and cons of such drugs.
Our guests are expert herbalists. They share their knowledge on medicinal herbs to help you stay healthy, from Andrographis to thyme.
A study comparing tai chi practice to aerobic exercise finds better blood pressure control following tai chi training.
Chinese people using a salt substitute containing some potassium chloride were less likely to have high blood pressure than those using salt.
The FDA approved Mounjaro (tirzepatide) 5/13/22 for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for weight management on 11/8/23. Does it also lower BP?
We've been hearing about problems with generic metoprolol since 2007. They're still coming in. Is brand name Toprol XL now affordable?
Suzy Cohen, RPh, is known as America's Most Trusted Pharmacist. She often writes and speaks about the value of natural healing.
A very small study suggests that morning to midday is the best time to eat for better metabolism and lower blood pressure. Other studies support this approach.
A reader who has embraced grape juice wonders if its cardiovascular benefits are imaginary. Science says they're real.
A multi-year study of nearly 500,000 individuals shows that loneliness increases the risk of Parkinson disease significantly.
According to a new study, if we have your pharmacist help you manage your blood pressure, you save money and stay healthy longer.
What's better, blood pressure readings at the doctor's office or at home? A new study will surprise many health professionals. BP strategies!
Serious lisinopril side effects can occur after many years. Doctors may miss the diagnosis if lisinopril and angioedema affect the abdomen.
Dr. Alan Greene discusses home tests, tech and tools for health that he likes. Joe and Terry invite listeners to share their own.
Amlodipine is one of the most popular blood pressure meds in the pharmacy. But amlodipine and dizziness is a common complication. What else should you know?
Could extra virgin olive oil rich in plant phenols be a key to the benefits of the Mediterranean diet? Perhaps we should all take olive oil.
A study found that not every home blood pressure monitor gives an accurate measurement of blood pressure. 30% were off by 10 points or more.
A rigorously conducted, multi-year experiment with cocoa compounds vs placebo showed that they may reduce cardiovascular mortality.
An international study finds that positive relationships are linked to lower stress and heart rate and better blood pressure control.
Numerous studies show that anthocyanins in blueberries help lower systolic blood pressure and improve cognitive performance of impaired individuals.
The diuretic chlorthalidone taken to control blood pressure drove blood levels of potassium way too low, a risky situation.
Blood pressure medicines are helpful but they often have side effects. What are the best ways to lower blood pressure naturally?
Women following a Mediterranean type eating pattern around the time of conception and during pregnancy have better pregnancy outcomes.
Readers' reports that the dietary supplement CoQ10 has heart benefits are supported by scientific studies.
Readers have found that an Indian Ayurvedic herb, ashwagandha, can help ease anxiety, overcome insomnia and relieve joint pain.
Either natural approaches or pharmaceuticals can offer benefit if used with care. Some important drugs are based on plants.
Patients following recommendations from the American College of Cardiology need statins as they get older. That's most men over 64!
Cocoa compounds can increase blood vessel flexibility and help them relax. That lowers blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health.
Does dragon fruit juice have health benefits? One study shows it improves blood vessel flexibility, but we need more research.
Millions of people take ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) like losartan and valsartan. Is there a cancer cloud hanging over these drugs?
A reader reports the experience that beets benefit eyesight. Medical research has not shown that, but beets do help the heart.
Getting blood pressure under 130/80 can be challenging. Taking multiple BP meds is one way. It can also increase the risk for interactions!
Is low blood pressure always ideal? Many think that 120/80 is ideal. Research shows such low BP may sometimes increase cognitive decline.
Decongestants can boost blood pressure. People with high blood pressure should look for cold medicine without phenylephrine.
Investigators found a small but significant increase in blood pressure during 2020, possibly due to pandemic stress and how people reacted.
Are you taking medications that raise blood pressure? You may be surprised to learn that many drugs can do this, including NSAIDs for pain.
Did you know that the FDA has finally banned lead in hair dye after more than 30 years? It has been a struggle, but the lead will disappear!
If blood pressure drops too low overnight, it can aggravate optic nerve damage. That is the last thing glaucoma patients need!
A reader got better blood pressure control if he took his pills at night instead of in the morning. Should you take your BP pills before bed?
People who have high blood pressure in the doctor's office may need to confirm that it is sustained throughout the day with home blood pressure measurement.
When was the last time you checked your blood pressure? Chances are good that it was over 120/80. If so, your doctor may well encourage you to get it down!
Some readers report that dandelion extract lowers blood pressure without strong side effects. Clinical studies are lacking.
When prescribing blood pressure pills, should doctors choose ACE inhibitors or ARBs? ARBs are equally effective with fewer side effects.
Killing off oral bacteria with strong mouthwash could make it much harder to tap the blood pressure benefits of beets.
Studying people who moved shows scientists that your home address really does influence depression, blood pressure and diabetes.
A new study shows that more than half of Americans with elevated blood pressure have uncontrolled hypertension. Can you lower yours?
A dose of baking soda in water signals the spleen to produce anti-inflammatory immune cells. This may help reduce swelling.
Blood pressure measurements seem so simple. Yet you would be amazed how often professionals get this procedure wrong. Stress can lead to elevated readings.
In a new meta-analysis, the investigators found that people taking blood pressure medicines are slightly less likely to develop dementia.
Scientists confirm that drinking beet juice could be a helpful blood pressure remedy. However, it might increase the risk of kidney stones for some people.
People with high BP appear to be at greater risk from the coronavirus. Does that mean people with well-controlled hypertension should worry about COVID-19?
Does your doctor give you a written list of symptoms to watch out for when she writes a prescription? This is the best way to avoid drug side effects!
Was your blood pressure measured correctly? What time of day was it taken? What were you doing prior to the reading? Blood pressure can vary dramatically.
If you plan to take ginseng supplements, be sure to learn what benefits you might expect and what possible side effects you might encounter.
Are you struggling with hypertension? You may be able to use ginger for a double-duty effect: reduce blood pressure and ease arthritis pain in joints.
One reader found that using eggplant for dinner, browned in olive oil with herbs, is a tasty approach to lowering blood pressure. Research confirms this.
Researchers have found that people can lower their blood pressure with cherries, specifically 60 ml of tart cherry concentrate daily.
If you want to lower your risk of heart disease or stroke, you should learn to take your blood pressure accurately. Hypertension is a risk factor.
This is a stressful time of year. Shopping puts a strain on the budget. Family gatherings can be contentious. That's why holiday blood pressure can soar!
Tens of millions of people take ACE inhibitors to lower high blood pressure. Is there an association between drugs like lisinopril and lung cancer?
Canadian scientists have found a link between losartan and suicide that also implicates similar drugs such as irbesartan or valsartan.
Scientists are excited to learn how many herbal medicines lower blood pressure. They activate a potassium channel KCNQ5 that relaxes blood vessels.
Home blood pressure measurement predicts complications of hypertension more accurately than clinic measurements.
How does green tea interact with nadolol? Green tea compounds can lower blood levels of this heart drug, but does not seem to affect metoprolol.
Antibacterial mouthwash is supposed to kill germs. What if it has an unexpected side effect? Could mouthwash increase blood pressure by killing good germs?
Do you ever buy anything online? Would you consider visiting online doctors or prescriptions on demand? Online prescribing and dispensing are expanding.
Beta blockers like atenolol, metoprolol and propranolol used to be very popular BP drugs. But the beta blocker blahs can be problematic. What else works?
Lasix (furosemide) is an absolutely essential medication. It treats excess fluid buildup (edema). But we keep hearing about generic furosemide problems.
A patient who came to the emergency department in a hypertensive emergency with blood pressure of 196/66 had been drinking licorice tea for a few weeks.
Just one cup of green veggies daily can help. People whose diets most closely approximate the DASH diet guidelines are better able to ward off heart failure as they age.
The scientific consensus is that if you grind flaxseed, you get more of the fiber, lignans and omega-3 fats that make it a healthful food.
The story on grapefruit juice and medicines can be confusing. The interaction is fairly long-lasting, but only certain drugs interact with grapefruit.
Cutting salt from our diets has been dogma for many years. Yet there is not very much evidence to support the extreme efforts some people make.
Research shows that evening is the most effective time to train to lower your blood pressure with exercise. Regularity of workouts also counts!
Have you lost count of all the blood pressure medicine recalls? Sorry, here is yet another ARB recall. This time it is for losartan from Legacy. Enough!
The ARB recalls have generated surprisingly little outrage from physicians and pharmacists. But a perspective in the NEJM reveals that some docs are upset!
Do you know the right dose of baking soda to calm your indigestion? Sodium-sensitive people need to be careful not to take too much.
A new study offers hints that aggressive blood pressure control with a goal of 120 for systolic pressure may reduce the chance of mild cognitive impairment.
Lisinopril and amlodipine are prescribed for hypertension. Side effects are swollen ankles from amlodipine and swollen tongue from lisinopril.
The FDA has issued yet another drug recall because of contamination with a probable cancer causing chemical. It involves amlodipine plus valsartan. Enough!
Are you one of the millions of people taking an ARB for hypertension like losartan or valsartan? Did you know there's a NEW losartan recall? Are you fed up?
If your blood pressure is at or above 130/80 you are considered hypertensive. Did you know that exercise for blood pressure control may be as good as drugs?
American generic drug manufacturer Mylan has issued a multi-lot valsartan recall. Check your blood pressure pills to make sure they are not included.
First came a valsartan recall because of suspected carcinogen contamination. Then irbesartan was recalled. Now there is a losartan recall. What's going on?
Half the American adult population has hypertension (HTN) according to guidelines. Why doesn't blood pressure treatment with meds for mild HTN save lives?
How high is your blood pressure? The AHA and ACC say that if it is over 130/80 you have hypertension. Does treating mild hypertension make a difference?
Millions of people take blood pressure pills like lisinopril every day. They work well, but is there an association between ACE inhibitors and lung cancer?
Americans with gum disease are more likely to have high blood pressure and less likely to be able to control their hypertension with medication.
Millions of people have high blood pressure. A lot of them would like a better blood pressure pill. How can you find out which will work for you?
New guidelines define many more Americans as having high blood pressure. Medications to treat it may have side effects. Can you lower your blood pressure naturally?
A study of French senior citizens shows that if you do a good job of helping your heart with diet and exercise, you also dramatically lower your likelihood of dementia.
Have you tried to cut back on salt? We would not be surprised if you had trouble meeting the AHA guidelines of less than 1.5 g of sodium daily. Should you feel guilty? is salt good or bad for you?
Is your blood pressure ever over 130/80? If so, you are now labeled hypertensive. Drugs can have side effects. Are there any effective nondrug ways to lower high blood pressure?
Is the valsartan recall disaster a metaphor for other generic drug problems? Many, if not most, of our generic medicines are now made abroad. They are cheaper, but are they safer?
You have doubtless read about the valsartan recall because of contamination. Could it be the biggest consumer recall in history? Will some people develop cancer as a result?
Who's responsibility is it to take back recalled valsartan? Should patients get a refund for a contaminated drug? What happens when a pharmacist refuses to honor a recall?
The valsartan recall over cancer concerns may be turning into a much bigger drug scandal than we imagined. European regulators are reported to believe the problem could date back to 2012.
Has your doctor prescribed valsartan blood pressure pills to control hypertension? You may want to check to make sure your specific medicine has not been recalled.
A deadly drug interaction likely resulted in high levels of potassium and cardiac arrest. There was no mention of an interaction in the death certificate. Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.
You can lower your blood pressure with dietary measures. How much beet juice does it take to make a difference for hypertension?
A new study compares blood pressure measurements taken in the doctor's office with 24-hour home readings. Find out which is best and why.
Have you ever suffered from minor drug side effects? What is a mild adverse reaction anyway? Is it hair loss? what about a cough? When can seemingly minor symptoms turn deadly?
Millions of people take metoprolol for high blood pressure. Do they know that many experts doubt the drug is appropriate as a first-line treatment? Can it raise blood sugar?
If you have hypertension there is a better than even chance you are taking a diuretic. HCTZ is the most commonly prescribed. But hydrochlorothiazide triggers gout. The pain can be excruciating.
The Procrastinator's Challenge is Officially On! There are three days left to take advantage of our big holiday sale. It applies to everything in our store!
Half the population of the United States has high cholesterol and blood pressure according to the official guidelines. Why is this so controversial?
New guidelines define high blood pressure as any measurement at or above 130/80. Millions of Americans will meet that criterion.
Will you or someone you love experience drug shortages because of Hurricane Maria? Meds made in Puerto Rico could be affected. Find out if you're at risk.
Do you take an NSAID like ibuprofen or naproxen to ease your stiff joints and control your pain? Could it boost your blood pressure into the danger zone?
Do you like low-salt food? It is possible to train your taste buds to consume less. Humans have craved salt for millennia. Wars have been fought over salt.
People either love or hate the bitter-sweet taste of grapefruit. Many think this fruit has special health benefits. Will grapefruit lower blood pressure?
Have you been cutting back on salt in the belief that it would be heart healthy? Many people have, but the salt story is complex and controversial.
How much should you reduce salt in your diet? One study shows that people who kept their sodium intake low for years ended up with high blood pressure.
Are you sure you have hypertension? Do you react to doctors or nurses with a spike in blood pressure? White coat hypertension is quite common.
Could beet juice cause vertigo and other side effects by dropping blood pressure too low, in conjunction with blood pressure pills?
The link between blood pressure and dementia changes with age. Hypertension in midlife increases the risk of cognitive decline, but older people do better with high blood pressure.
Here's the mystery: having one pretzel at bedtime resulted in better morning blood pressure. Could this be balancing the reader's need for sodium?
When blood pressure pills cause undesirable side effects, people look for ways to control hypertension without medications.
To sidestep white-coat hypertension, measure blood pressure at home and change the timing of the blood pressure measurement to the end of the visit.
Olive leaf extract may offer an alternative to blood pressure medications. There is a possibility that it could cause psychological side effects.
Was your high blood pressure based on an accurate measurement? It is surprising how frequently something as fundamental as blood pressure is measured wrong.
When you find blood pressure high in the doctor's office but not at home, consider your other heart disease risk factors.
Blood pressure measurement is far more complex than most people realize. Wrist monitors may seem convenient but Italian researchers found big problems.
Lifestyle really can make a huge difference in many conditions, especially hypertension. Losing weight can reduce the need for blood pressure medications.
Many doctors think it is a good thing that patients can monitor blood pressure and blood glucose at home. Should you be able to order your own blood tests?
Have you ever been told to consume a low salt diet? Public health officials have insisted that everyone should cut back on sodium. Was this advice wrong?
Many blood pressure drugs leave patients feeling fatigued, dizzy and depressed. Can hypertension be controlled without making people feel bad?
People on dialysis had lower blood pressure after taking pomegranate extract for six months compared to placebo.
The SPRINT study suggests everyone should get blood pressure below 120. What are the downsides to lower blood pressure? Can blood pressure go too low?
Recommendations to lower salt to reduce blood pressure and heart disease have little supporting data. Improving potassium levels may be quite helpful.
Tasty hibiscus tea seems to have the power to help get elevated blood pressure under control. As a bonus, there don't appear to be bad side effects.
Could hibiscus tea fight high BP? One study found that three cups of hibiscus tea daily lowered systolic BP significantly, without unpleasant side effects.
When a nonagenarian asks about managing blood pressure without drugs, we offer guidelines that anyone can follow for better health.
Is licorice dangerous? This reader experienced very high blood pressure from too much licorice. Can you enjoy the health benefits from licorice with DGL?
Is there any evidence to support the benefit of Ginkgo biloba for memory and cognitive function? Can this herb overcome drugs that interfere with memory?
Drinking lemon water can help with weight loss and other health goals.