Comments on: Ask the expert http://commercialappealblogs.com/health/2008/05/26/ask-the-expert-4/ Helping Memphis along the road to good health Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:39:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Dr. Jim Bailey http://commercialappealblogs.com/health/2008/05/26/ask-the-expert-4/#comment-250 Dr. Jim Bailey Wed, 28 May 2008 20:09:10 +0000 http://commercialappeal-web.com/health/2008/05/26/ask-the-expert-4/#comment-250 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 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

]]> By: Teresa http://commercialappealblogs.com/health/2008/05/26/ask-the-expert-4/#comment-251 Teresa Mon, 26 May 2008 23:42:34 +0000 http://commercialappeal-web.com/health/2008/05/26/ask-the-expert-4/#comment-251 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? 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?

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