# High Blood Pressure Question(s) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 27, 2007, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-blood-pressure-question-s/409618 "2007-06-27T06:49:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2007, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-blood-pressure-question-s/409618/21 "2007-06-29T18:55:51Z")
[QUOTE=KarlGauss] Despite all the talk, it doesn’t make any difference whether the BP is controlled with an ACE inhibitor or any other agent. [/QUOTE] Actually, it can make a difference. It seems that ACE inhibitor usage might be associated with interstitial damage in the renal morphology. So by lower blood pressure, reducing water and soidium retention, it helps the kidney, but it seems that in the long run it also hurts the kidney. However, the net positives still outweigh the net negatives, so ACE inhibitors are still a good choice, from what I understand. But perhaps more research into the area will lead to a better drug combo or treatment that can fix/prevent the damage done by the ACE inhibitor. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2007, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-blood-pressure-question-s/409618/22 "2007-06-29T19:13:14Z")
[QUOTE=bouv] Actually, it can make a difference. It seems that ACE inhibitor usage might be associated with interstitial damage in the renal morphology. . . But perhaps more research into the area will lead to a better drug combo or treatment that can fix/prevent the damage done by the ACE inhibitor. [/QUOTE] Are you getting at idiosyncratic reactions or a general tendency for ACE-inhibitors to do this? If the former, than,IMO, it’s not really relevant to what I said. ---
**Author:** ![Perderabo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Perderabo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perderabo)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-blood-pressure-question-s/409618/23 "2007-06-30T04:37:01Z")
(200/90) is highest BP I have ever heard of. I’m not sure my BP monitor can go up that high. What is the highest BP ever in a human who survived? ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-blood-pressure-question-s/409618/24 "2007-06-30T09:06:10Z")
[From an article on the Johns Hopkins website](http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/alerts/hypertension_stroke/JohnsHopkinsHealthAlertsHypertensionStroke_585-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS): > [@](#): > > In 2005, the _American Journal of Cardiology_ published a report that combined the results of two randomized trials, which examined the effect of stress reduction on death rates in 202 people age 55 and older with prehypertension or mild hypertension. Some of them participated in a transcendental meditation program, while the rest practiced other relaxation techniques (progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness training, and mental relaxation) or were part of a control group. They were followed for an average of eight years. At the end of the follow-up period, those in the meditation group fared the best, experiencing a 30% decline in the rate of cardiovascular deaths, and a 23% reduction in the rate of death from all causes, compared to the control group. When compared with the other relaxation techniques, transcendental meditation was associated with a 32% lower incidence of cardiovascular deaths, and a 27% reduction in death from all causes. Also remember to take your hypertension medications regularly, eat lots of fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole grains), limit your salt and alcohol intake, maintain a reasonable weight, and get some exercise every day. I am not a doctor. I’m a nagging grammy. Eat your broccoli! ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-blood-pressure-question-s/409618/25 "2007-06-30T13:28:01Z")
[QUOTE=Perderabo] (200/90) is highest BP I have ever heard of. I’m not sure my BP monitor can go up that high. What is the highest BP ever in a human who survived? [/QUOTE] No idea. But for patients in severe hypertensive crisis, I’ve seen BPs with systolics up to 300, and diastolics in the 170’s. That can tend to be fatal in minutes to hours rather than years to decades. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-blood-pressure-question-s/409618/26 "2007-06-30T13:49:38Z")
[QUOTE=Qadgop the Mercotan] No idea. But for patients in severe hypertensive crisis, I’ve seen BPs with systolics up to 300, and diastolics in the 170’s. . [/QUOTE] MAO inhibitor/tyramine reaction? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-blood-pressure-question-s/409618/27 "2007-06-30T14:04:00Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] MAO inhibitor/tyramine reaction? [/QUOTE] Never found out for one. That particular one came in obtunded with off-the-wall vital signs. The other turned out to be a pheochromocytoma. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-blood-pressure-question-s/409618/28 "2007-06-30T14:59:50Z")
[QUOTE=Perderabo] (200/90) is highest BP I have ever heard of. I’m not sure my BP monitor can go up that high. What is the highest BP ever in a human who survived? [/QUOTE] Well, [FDR survived for a little while, at least, with a BP of 350/200](http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/332/15/1038?ijkey=6f8dbb49ee3eb666418b747ce72b37af5080dcfe&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha) :eek: If the above link doesn’t work, try [this one](http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/332/15/1038). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-blood-pressure-question-s/409618.md?page=1)