La Mirada Medical Weight Control

15022 E Mulberry Dr • Suites C & D • Whittier, CA 90604

High Blood Pressure

Why does high blood pressure matter and what can be done about it?

Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood against the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure results from two forces. One is created by the heart as it pumps blood into the arteries and through the circulatory system. The other is the force of the arteries as they resist the blood flow. A blood pressure reading always has two numbers, one large and one small. The first or larger number measures blood pressure while your heart beats. The second or smaller number measures blood pressure while your heart rests.

How can I tell if I have high blood pressure?

High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. In fact, many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. That’s why it’s called the “silent killer.” Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. It doesn’t refer to being tense, nervous or hyperactive. You can be a calm, relaxed person and still have high blood pressure. A single elevated blood pressure reading doesn’t mean you have high blood pressure, but it’s a sign that further observation is required. Ask your doctor how often to check it or have it checked. In 80 to 85 percent of cases, the cause of high blood pressure is unknown. The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked. Textbook blood pressure with respect to cardiovascular risk is 120/80. Blood pressure that is too high is if the first number is 140 or higher, and if the second number is 90 or more.

What can help lower blood pressure?

Diet and lifestyle changes can be made to lower blood pressure. Before drugs are prescribed, these are often recommended for people with mildly elevated blood pressure. The American Heart Association Nutrition Committee says that to maximize the beneficial effects of a healthy diet on blood pressure:
Don’t eat a lot of sodium (salt)
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and non/low-fat dairy products.
Exercise

Such diets are rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium and protein and low in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol. Some people with mildly high blood pressure can lower their blood pressure by reducing sodium (salt) in their diet. This means avoiding salty foods and cutting down on salt in cooking and at the table. Drinking too much raises blood pressure in some people and should be restricted. Alcoholic drinks are high in non-nutritious calories, so if you’re trying to lose weight, don’t drink alcohol.

Please Call Us
if you have any questions:

La Mirada Medical Weight Control
Steve Vouis, M.D.
(562) 946-5300

Frequently Asked Questions

Fight Fat Every Day

“Eat breakfast if you want to
stay healthy and slim.”

A new study from Harvard University suggests that people who eat breakfast daily may be less likely to succumb to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, reports Reuters. Why? Eating breakfast regularly helps control your appetite throughout the day, which means you’re less likely to overeat later. In addition, a good breakfast helps regulate the body’s blood sugar.

“Our results suggest that breakfast may really be the most important meal of the day,” research leader Dr. Mark A. Pereira told BBD News Online. The study examined 2,681 adults between the ages of 25 and 37 for eight years.

People who reported eating breakfast every day —as opposed to twice a week or less —had a 35 to 50 percent reduced chance of becoming obese or developing insulin resistance syndrome, a precursor to diabetes in which the body experiences a loss of sensitivity to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is key to regulating blood sugar.

What you eat is just as important as making sure you eat, notes Reuters. The best breakfast foods are whole grain cereals. Refined grain cereals and bacon and eggs had not effect on reducing the risk of obesity and diabetes.

Here’s a trick from the American Heart Association to tell if a cereal is whole grain: The first item in the ingredient list must be a whole grain or bran and have at least 2 grams of fiber per serving.

One of the best whole grain cereals may be oatmeal. A study reported last year in The Journal of Family Practice concluded that oat cereals work so well at lowering blood pressure that people who are taking hypertension medication can actually use a lower dosage if they eat an oatmeal breakfast every day. Other studies have shown that oatmeal will lower cholesterol.

The study was presented at the American Heart Association’s 43rd Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention.

Chromium

What is Chromium?

Chromium is an essential trace mineral required for maintenance of proper sugar and fat metabolism. Chromium is present throughout the body, with the highest concentration being in the liver, kidney, spleen, bone, brain and muscle.

Why is Chromium important?

Studies show that there is a significant age-related decrease in chromium levels, which may play a part in the increased risk of diabetes and arteriosclerosis in older people. Poorly absorbed, only 2-10 percent of dietary chromium intake is absorbed by the body. Niacin bound, oxygen generated chromium polynicotinate is the most absorbed form of chromium available, mimicking the biological active form found in the body. It has been shown to reduce the amount of insulin required by diabetic patients, increase glucose metabolism, increase fat loss while sparing muscle (lean body mass), and lower serum cholesterol. A minimum dose of 200 mcg. daily is recommended.

How can Chromium help weight management?

Dietary supplements containing chromium are gaining popularity among Americans, especially those seeking a weight-loss program.

Research suggests that chromium polynicotinate supplants may cause weight loss, reduce fat and increase muscle mass. Studies show that a daily supplement of 600-1,000 mcg. Of chromium along with a moderate diet and exercise program, result in significant weight loss. It plays an important role in controlling blood lipids, increasing HDL cholesterol, reducing hunger cravings, especially sugar cravings and preventing fat rebound.

Phentermine

What is Phentermine?

Phentermine is in a class of drugs called "anorectics" which decrease appetitive by possibly changing brain levels of serotonin. Phentermine is a nervous system stimulator like the amphetamines, causing stimulation, elevation of blood pressure and faster heart rate.

What is Phentermine prescribed for?

Phentermine is usually used as a short-term drug along with diet and behavior modification to treat obesity. Recently, it has been combined with diet and fenfluramine (Pondimin) and used over longer terms in selected obesity patients (P & P diets) with some favorable long-term modest weight loss.

How should Phentermine be taken?

Phentermine should be taken after breakfast; evening doses should be avoided because of secondary insomnia.

Who should not take Phentermine?

Phentermine should not be taken by patients with glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, or a history of drug abuse or psychotic illnesses. Phentermine is not recommended in patients with high blood pressure that is not well controlled. Patients on phentermine should have their blood pressure closely followed. Insulin requirements may change in patients on phentermine, alcohol can cause a drug interaction. Abrupt stoppage of the drug can cause withdrawal with fatigue and depression. Phentermine is potentially addicting. Phentermine is not recommended for patients with symptomatic heart disease including rhythm problems.

What are the common side effects?

Side effects include diarrhea, dry mouth, constipation, an unpleasant taste, hives, impotence, palpitations, high blood pressure, and fast heart rates. Central nervous system side effects include overstimulation, insomnia, restlessness, tremor and dizziness.

Phendimetrazine

What is Phendimetrazine?

Phendimetrazine is a sympathomimetic amine, which is similar to an amphetamine. It is also known as an “anorectic” or “anorexigenic” drug. Phendimetrazine stimulates the central nervous system (nerves and brain), which increases your heart rate and blood pressure and decreases your appetite. Phendimetrazine is used as a short-term supplement to diet and exercise in the treatment of obesity.

Who should not take Phendimetrazine?

You cannot take phendimetrazine if you:

Have heart disease or high blood pressure
Have arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
Have glaucoma
Have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcyprominie (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days

Tell your doctor before taking this medication if you have:

Problems with your thyroid, an anxiety disorder or diabetes.
It is also not known whether Phendimetrazine passes into breast milk. Do not take phendimetrazine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

What are the common side effects?

Phendimetrazine may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or restlessness and it may hide the symptoms of extreme tiredness. Caution when driving, operating machinery or performing other hazardous activities should be exercised. A dose taken too late in the day can cause insomnia.

What are other possible side effects?

An irregular heartbeat or very high blood pressure (server headache, blurred vision); or hallucinations, abnormal behavior, or confusion.

Other less serious side effect may be more likely to occur:

Restlessness or tremor, nervousness or anxiety, headache or dizziness, insomnia, dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth, diarrhea or constipation, impotence or changes in your sex drive.

Talk to your doctor about any side effects and about stopping this medication gradually.

Tenuate

What is Tenuate?

Tenuate is similar to an amphetamine. It is also known as an “anorectic” or an “anorexigenic” drug. Tenuate stimulates the central nervous system (nerves and brain), which increases your heart rate and blood pressure and decreases your appetite.

What are the common side effects?

Tenuate may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or restlessness and it may hide the symptoms of extreme tiredness. Caution when driving, operating machinery or performing other hazardous activities should be exercised.

What is the most important information to know about Tenuate?

Tenuate is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on this medication and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking if suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Do not crush, chew or open any “once-daily” Tenuate tablets or capsules, swallow them whole.

Who should not take Tenuate?

You should not take if you:

Have heart disease or high blood pressure
Have arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
Have glaucoma
Have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcyprominie (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days
Have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.

How should Tenuate be taken?

Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Take Tenuate on an empty stomach 1 hour before meals. An evening dose may be taken to overcome nighttime hunger. Tenuate is usually taken three times a day (regulator-release formula). Follow your doctor’s instructions. Do not crush, chew or open any “once-daily” (long-acting or sustained-release) diethylpropion tablets or capsules. Swallow them whole. Store Tenuate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Xenical

How does Xenical work?

If you eat an excess amount of fat, the excess fat is then stored by the body, resulting in weight gain. When we eat fat, our bodies break fat down into its simplest components so that it can be absorbed. Enzymes in our intestinal tract, called lipases, help digest fat. Xenical is a fat blocker. When we take Xenical with meals, Xenical attaches to the lipases and blocks them from breaking down some of the fate you have eaten. The undigested fat cannot be absorbed and is eliminated in your bowel movements. By working this way, Xenical helps block about 30% of the fat eaten in food from being absorbed by your body.

How can dietary fat be reduced?

To help you get started on reducing the fat in your diet to 30% read the labels on all the foods you buy. Foods that contain more than 30% fat should be avoided while taking Xenical. Limit each portion of meat, poultry and fish to 2 or 3 ounces (roughly the size of a deck of cards). Choose lean cuts of meat and remove the skin from poultry. Fill up your plate by including more grains, fruits and vegetables.

Replace whole-milk products with nonfat or 1% milk and non-fat, reduced fat or low-fat dairy items.

What are the common side effects?

The most common side effects from taking Xenical are some changes in bowel habits generally occurring during the first weeks of treatment including oil spotting, gas and the urgent need to go to the bathroom, oily elimination, increased bowel movements and fecal incontinence. These side effects are usually temporary. If you are concerned about these side effects, please talk to your physician or pharmacist.

Questions About Dietary Treatments