So good to hear from you Delta
! I remember all the problems that you were having. I think you got at least one more stent, a couple of months ago. As Elisha says, you have made my day also
......Now, since you are a nurse, I have a question.....You know that when someone has a heart attack, or has heart failure, most docs automatically put them on an ACE inhibitor. Myself, I have grown wary of them, because of how they work, which causes edema in me. Even the later generation of drugs called ARBs, that do the same thing as ACE i's, but in a different way, also cause edema.
I have quit 2 major meds in the past week. Timed released nitro, Imdur, and Atacand, an ARB. I had to stop Altace, and ACEi, about 6 weeks ago, due to a cough.
My new cardio wants me to start or try Diovan, which is another ARB. He told me this last Thursday after a cath. I haven't gone to pick up the sample yet. Instead, I have been taking Lasix, 40mg/day along with a beta blocker and my BP is being controlled beter with the Lasix/beta blocker (atenolol) combination, compared to a combo of ARB/Beta Blocker.
I know that statistics show that folks with CAD/heart disease live longer with an ACE inhibitor, but what price do we have to pay to "protect" our heart? I don't know whether he is insisting on the Diovan because of BP control, or heart protection. I use to rarely take Lasix for fear of low BP. I have been taking it daily since last Thursday. Good BP....
So, I guess my question is, do you think that I should take an ACE, or ARB for longevity, or just control my BP as best I can?
Thanks so much in advance
and please continue with the improving health! My ramblings are hard to understand, I know.... I am not awake yet....
Rj