Thursday February 21 / 2008

12:10: The Health Roundup with Jay McQueen.

12:15: It’s about time we check in with the good folks over at Shalom Village.
Guest: Pat Morden, CEO of Shalom Village. 905.528.5377 x 229

12:20: Get crackin’! No, not with eggs, we’re talking about your back! Our favourite chiropractors over on Locke Street are here!
Guests: Dr. Kathryn Wheatley and Dr. Jim Lamontagne, Regent Health and Chiropractic Centre.

12:35: Diagnosing a nasty cough is not a whole lot easier thanks to a new test developed by a Hamilton-based virologist. It’s been approved for use in the US and can simultaneously detect the most prevalent respiratory viruses, including SARS.
Guest: Dr. James Mahony, Head of Virology at St. Joseph’s HealthCare Hamilton. 905.522.1155 x 36021 or 35013.

12:45: Rexall Pharmacy segment. Hilton

Blood Pressure Medication!

Choosing the right blood pressure medication for you can sometimes be tricky, various drug options are available, each with pro’s and con’s. Remember you doctor will recommend a medication that is specific to your situation.

Prehypertension : readings ( 120/80 to 139/89) Are on the road to developing high blood pressure. Even though you feel fine, if your blood pressure falls within this range you stand a good chance of developing full-blown high blood pressure. With proper lifestyle modifications, you can reduce you chances of developing high blood pressure.

• Don’t smoke
• Eat a healthy diet, focusing on fruit, vegetables and low-fat dairy products, and control your salt intake.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise by getting 30 minutes of moderate activity, even a brisk walk is good.
• Limit alcohol intake

Stage 1 High blood pressure ( 140/90 to 159/99) If you have stage 1 hypertension your doctor may suggest first trying diuretics, also called water pills. Diuretics work by flushing excess water and sodium from the body, thus lowering blood pressure, and this might be enough with lifestyle changes to control your blood pressure.
Medications:
• Beta blockers; this work by reducing nerve signals to the heart and blood vessels, thus lowering blood pressure.
• Angiotensin – converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors; these help blood vessels relax by blocking the production of a hormone that causes blood vessels to narrow.
• Angiotensin 11 receptor blockers; these allow blood vessels to widen by preventing a hormone called angiotensin from affecting vessels.
• Calcium channel blockers; These prevent calcium from going into heart and blood vessel muscle cells, thus causing the cells to relax, which lower blood pressure.
If you have stage 2 high blood pressure (higher than 160/100) You will likely need to take at least two medications when you start treatment.
Recommended medications;
• An ACE inhibitor; this medication helps blood vessels relax by blocking the production of a hormone that causes blood vessels to narrow.
• An angiotensin 11 receptor blocker; this medication allows blood vessels to widen.
• A beta blocker; This class of drug works by reducing nerve signals
• A calcium channel blocker; Prevents calcium from going into heart & blood vessel muscle cells.
If you have isolated systolic hypertension, or top pressure reading is elevated, your doctor may recommend a high blood pressure medication. This becomes more common as one’s age, especially once you pass the age of 60. Your doctor may suggest a thiazide diuretic (water pill) or perhaps long-lasting calcium antagonists.
If you have high blood pressure, often other medical conditions go hand in hand. Certain conditions are compelling enough to warrant more aggressive treatment. These conditions are:

• Heart failure
• Previous heart attack
• High-risk of coronary artery disease
• Enlarged left chamber of the heart
• Diabetes
• Chronic kidney disease
• Previous stroke


Nadine Janacek
Blog Reporter Rexall #202
Phone: 905-318-5383