Quote from kevm:

I immediately started lifestyle changes. I did start on a low carb diet because of the ability to loose weight quickly. I also began to walk 2 to 3 miles about every other day on average at a fairly quick pace.
During this time, I monitored my pressure at the drug store machine nearby. After the 6 weeks, I was reading 160-165 / 90- 95 consistently.
I thought Horray.

Congratulations on making immediate lifestyle changes, and already lowering your Blood Pressure and making yourself healthier. Blood Pressure medicines have many side effects and interactions with foods and other things, so if you can bring your blood pressure down through healthy living, it is preferable.

[QUOTE]I went back yesterday. Doc measured the pressure. 160 / 90.
Doc said. Immediate placement on Lotrel 5/10. I took the first one last night.
I asked the doctor if I could take more time to control it further with the lifestyle changes and he said no, the pressure needs to be brought down, and I am sure that this will bring it down.

A doctor's business depends upon patients. The more patients the more money he makes. In order to "hook" a patient, he needs to have the patient on prescription medicine, which requires follow-up visits and additional expensive, money making tests.

My first assumption about most doctors is that they care little about you. They are mostly interested in the health of their wallet and your wallet.

So....... of course the doctor said that you MUST be on prescribed medicine.

[QUOTE]I asked if I would ever be able to get off the meds. The doctor said he would work with me over time, but that he felt that this may be a lifelong thing.

BINGO! The doctor just hit a mini lotto. Nothing better for the doctor's health and blood pressure than a life long patient.

[QUOTE]He assured me that Lotrel would bring down the pressure quickly.

Lotrel is a combination of two strong blood pressure meds, amlodipine besylate (Norvasc) which is a calcium channel blocker, and benazepril hydrochloride (Lotensin), which is an ace inhibitor. There are all kinds of side effects with both meds.

[QUOTE]Additionally, he ordered a complete metabolic panel, lipid panel, and a CBC. I went for the tests today. Please tell me if I should have been jumped into medication at this stage.

The ace inhibitors and calcium channel blockers have made a big difference in the health of many people. Since introduced, they have helped people to live longer and healthier, especially the ace inhibitors. I don't knock the meds, as long as they are really necessary.

You might want to wait, to make a decision, until you see the test results.

Also, if the test results show that you have high cholesterol, he will probably want to put you on an expensive cholesterol med.

[QUOTE]My pressure has been quite normal over the years. I would like to try alternative dietary supplements with the lifestyle changes which I believe are taking effect, however, I am certainly hesitant to not follow my doctors orders for a condition that can get so serious if left untreated. I do not want a stroke or heart attack, or kidney disease either. I am confused.
Thank you all so much for your help

To me, the best approach is to lower one's cholesterol and blood pressure and weight by doing lifestyle changes, if you stay with the changes.

There are always risks in life. If you decide that taking the meds is best for you and your health, then take them.

I have had advanced heart disease for about 20 years, with high blood pressure and rhythm problems. My "average" blood pressure over the past six years has been 150/93, with peaks up around 185/120. Since I've made changes to my environment and meds, my average is down to around 145/90, with much lower peaks. I've taken about 14,000 readings, over those years, by hour and produced charts and reports, helping me to find out what has helped or hurt my blood pressure.

I am on heart medicine, but I have made many lifestyle changes and I've been able to significantly reduce the heart meds that I take.

I have found out that pollens and pollutants in the air, dyes in the clothes that I wear and in my bedding, and certain foods and drinks can raise my blood pressure. Dust and other allergens have an effect on my blood pressure. So along with normal lifestyle changes, I have also made changes to make my environment more allergy friendly.

Everyone is different and reacts differently. I am not a doctor, merely a fellow patient who has had heart disease for a long time, and has seen many doctors, some good, some bad.

Regards, and best of luck and health!