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By Peggy WinburneMay 26th, 2008
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We’re hosting an online conversation this week with Dr. Jim Bailey, the Callison Professor of Medicine at University of Tennessee Health Science Center and a board-certified internal medicine physician with UT Medical Group. He will be discussing high blood pressure and what you should do about it. Read more about it at commercialappeal.com/news/lifestyle/health-fitness/
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Dr. Bailey will respon.
May 26th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
I am taking a direutic for my hypertension. I'm have lost 12 pounds through walking and eating more fruit and salads, but today a blood vessel burst in the right corner of my left eye. I took my pressure with my home monitor and it was 110/80. About 10 minutes later it was 126/86, then 2 minutes later 117/84. I will discuss with my doctor tomorrow to see if we need to change meds. Should I be overly concerned right now?
May 28th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
From what you have told me I do not think that you need to be overly concerned right now. Blood pressure always fluctuates a bit, and your blood pressure appears to be well controlled. It would be ideal if you could get your diastolic blood pressure below 80 and continued exercise, healthy eating and weight loss are likely to get you there most of the time. It sounds like you have accomplished a lot with your exercise and diet -that's the best cure of all. And diuretics are generally the best first line drug for hypertension. So keep up the great work.
Regarding the blood vessel in your eye -I presume you mean that the white part of your eye developed a red area. If that is what you mean by saying "a blood vessel burst" I wouldn't worry too much. Bleeding into the white part of the eye is called a subconjunctival hemorrhage. Generally these are harmless. Though they can be caused by high blood pressure they are also caused by minor trauma, or sometimes just by sneezing or coughing hard. People on blood thinners or aspirin are more likely to get them too. Ask your doctor about this.
On the other hand, any eye problem that causes sudden vision loss or severe eye pain should be treated as an emergency. If you lose sight or your eye hurts a lot you should generally go to the doctor or emergency room immediately