anyone take a diuretic for high bp?

[dinny]

my mum just starting on them and is v anxious about taking medication (though has to as her bp really high). all her blood tests came back normal. is this the first medication people with high bp usually go on? thanks v much, Dinny

what is it?

oh blimey - can't remember what she said, Misdee. will ask her (not till tomorrow, she'll be fast asleep by now, total early bird!)

i think dirutics are used to lower blood rpessure, i'll see what peter has left in the cupboard and check the sheet.

Diuretics are normally first line treatment to lower a high BP. they basically work by shifting excess fluid out of the circulation so that the heart has less work to do and pressures should come down.

Normaly this is the first line treatment used for people with high bp, if there are no pressing reasons why anoither groupd of drugs isn't chosen first.

They can work very well. Realise that your mother may not like the thought of taking drugs, but high bp is a real killer. If she takes the drugs are prescribed, and sees her gp regularly she will be fine. If the diuretics don't control it (and some poeple need other drugs) there are several different types that the doc can try.

She can also help herself by stopping smoking (if she does) lossing weight (if she needs to) and cutting out salt from her food.