My dr. wants me to start an ace inhibitor. My bp has been around 140/90 for a year or more. my question is..

[Misfit]

what is YOUR experience with ace inhibitors and should I take them? Or should I try to lose weight first. I'm about 25 lbs over my ideal weight, and I'm 40 yrs. old.

[andy t]

You can always stop the med as a trial once you've attained the weight loss with no harm done.

You could decide not to take them while you try and you may or may not have a heart attack, stroke, or worsening heart function in the meantime.

Just a matter of how much of a chance you want to take with your health. There are plenty of people who do it when they decide not to have medical insurance or see a doctor - some of them lose. You're ahead of the game by getting evaluated - just make sure you're okay with the consequences of your choice either way

[j b]

It would be better to take the medication now and get your blood pressure under control. Every day that your blood pressure remains elevated, there is damage to your vessels occurring because of the hypertension. Then, if you decide to go on a weight loss/exercise program and your blood pressure becomes lower and lower, your physician will gradually reduce your dosage and there is always the possibility that you can come off this medication entirely. Ace inhibitors are safe and do a great job in reducing most people's blood pressure. Sometimes, however, a physician may have to add another blood pressure med to get the blood pressure into a normal range. Recommendations by American Heart Association now recommend a blood pressure UNDER 120/80.

[jimmymae2000]

If you start walking a mile every day you'll be down to 130/70 in two weeks.