Ask Dr. Rowena

Photo Dr. Rowena Your questions about high blood pressure answered by a board certified doctor. Browse the categories in the left menu.

Grapefruit Juice and Interaction With Blood Pressure Medication

Q: My blood pressure is 147/70. I’ve heard that grapefruit juice can be used to lower it.  I currently take 5mg of Crestor, is this bad?

A: Grapefruit juice is known to interfere with the body’s ability to process statin drugs. This causes higher levels...

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Should I Mention My Fear About A Medication With My New Doctor?

Q: I read an article about Renin and the drugs that raise your blood pressure in certain people. I am one of those people. I have a new doctor, do you think I can mention this to her? I find that most doctors tell you...

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What Effect Does Shouting With Anger Have On Blood Pressure?

Q: What effect if any, does too much shouting with anger have on blood pressure?

A: In any stressful situation, blood pressure goes up.  This does not mean it has to go above normal but it goes up.  This is Mother Nature’s way of getting your...

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Does Asthma Increase Blood Pressure?

Q: Does asthma increase blood pressure?

A: Certain medicines used to treat asthma can raise blood pressure.  Treating any disease is not without the risk of creating another problem.  As a result some people end up taking drugs to combat the effect of another drug they...

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How Long Does It Take to Get Back to Normal After Discontinuing A Medication?

Q: I was using Amlodipine for about four months. In the beginning I wasn’t having any side effects at all. My doctor was very impressed. However after about 3 months I started having terrible insomnia, anxiety, depression and a host of other side effects. My...

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Blood Pressure Temporarily Spiked After A Celebration. Was There Reason to Be Alarmed?

Q: My blood pressure went up to 140/100 after too much salty seafood and champagne at a celebration. The next morning I was experiencing a headache which prompted me to take my blood pressure. Thankfully 3 days later I checked it again and it was...

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How Much Do I Have to Worry About A Sudden Escalation in Blood Pressure Compared to Others With Atrial Fibrillation?

Q: At 76, my decade-long cardiovascular condition seemed to be stable with no stress test change from 2011 to 2012. However during prep for cataract surgery an atrial fibrillation appeared “out of the blue” resulting in ER exam and a prescription of Bystolic. How much...

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What If Someone’s Blood Pressure Dramatically Increases During Minimal Exercise?

Q: My boyfriend (age 53) takes medication for high blood pressure. At rest his blood pressure is always on the low end of the normal range like 100/64 to 110/70. However when he exercises his blood pressure goes up to 200/110 with hardly any exertion...

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Is There a Link Between High Blood Pressure and Thyroid Hormone Replacement Drugs?

Q: Is there a link between high blood pressure and thyroid hormone replacement drugs?

A: Yes, with excessive thyroid replacement a person’s blood pressure can go up.  This is one of the reasons blood pressure levels are periodically checked on people taking thyroid.  Certain foods and...

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Could My Medications Be Causing Fatigue, Depression, and Paranoia?

Q: I have been on a Clonidine .2 mg./diem patch for more than a year. I also take Calcitonin-Salmon nasal spray daily for osteoporosis and Synthroid 37 mg daily for hypothyroidism. In the last several months  I have experienced extreme fatigue, depression, and paranoia which...

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