Ask The Doctor

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hello Doctor I am Giri and I have a Question regarding my dads Blood pressure drugs My dad is 64 About three weeks ago My dad had a Continuous headache and he consulted a doctor.Doctor checked is pressure and and told us that he has pressure and Gave the following tablet ATENOLOL 25mg So he started having that tablet.But Still He has an headache once in a while.Now we check the pressure everyday the reading were good and We didn't see a unusual reading at all. So I wonder is that ok to Stop this Drug .... Only thing I am scared about is In the Description of the Medicine Pharmacist gave it mention this is Used for heart diseases and it reduces the heart beat rate not good to stop it ...things like this What do u think can he stop this Or is there any alternatives available with less mg

Dear Giridharan: Hypertension (high blood pressure) treatment guidelines follow the ACD rule. In someone of your fathers age, initial therapy could be with either a Calcium channel blocker or a Diuretic. If optimal blood pressure is not achieved the addition of an ACE inhibitor or Angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) would be the next step. Beta-blockers may be used as additional therapy usually if a patient has angina, history of previous heart attack or heart failure, or to control a rapid heart rate. I advise discussing these alternative therapies with your fathers family doctor.