What is the best way to lower high blood pressure? My husband has high blood pressure and been prescribed Crestor & Micardis. But, due to high costs, we are unable to afford his medications. What are YOUR food suggestions? Everyone always say “diet and exercise” and we know that. My husband does not have a problem with his weight. He’s 38 years old, 165lbs., 5’7" tall. He’s still muscular (somewhat) due to years of body building. His siblings (all under 45 years old) & parents are all under medication for high blood pressure & high cholesterol.
If weight is not a problem then medication will be key to lowering his BP as it runs in the family. Unfortunalety family history is something you can’t change. Crestor is not for lowering blood pressure, and if that is too expensive I think lipitor just went generic and should be relatively cheap. Also, you can discuss with your provider some low cost alternatives to higher cost medications. A dose of an antidiurectic, ex hydrochlorothiazide, can help decrease BP, and are cheap. Or you may consider ACE inhibitors which are for high BP and relatively cheap as well. Also, as far as diet is concerned, he can limit his intake of sodium, and eat more fresh fruits and vegeatables. That will also be good for high cholsesterol and lipids, which I imagine he is on crestor for.
Speaking of BP meds, I am on generic Inderal (Propranolol) for migraines. It is a beta blocking BP reducing med. With or without insurance it costs me $4/month which is definitely doable
Lipitor & Crestor are more for hyperlipidemia/high cholesterol vs BP. Many times the docs will try to give you migraine preventatives based on other issues that may be going on. I have hypertension, so one Migraine preventative I take is Atacand, which also lowers BP. But there are a lot of anti-hypertensive drugs on the market. Sometimes it takes a combination of drugs to control the BP, other times a simple diuretic will do the trick.
Good luck!
Claudia
I take atenolol which has a lowering effect on BP and is pretty cheap, and I have also found that Magnesium (400mg per day) lowers my BP by about 5-10 points.