Re: aldo blockers question

[Guest guest]

I'm not a doctor, but I would think that serum levels of aldo would be

irrelevant if aldo is properly blocked at the receptor (thus preventing

any subsequent reaction it would cause). Perhaps I'm thinking too

simplistically, but my understanding was that aldo levels increased

during Spiro or Inpsra treatment not because more is actually produced,

but because less is able to bind with the mineralocorticoid receptor.

Here is a supporting quote to my first point:

" Accumulating evidence suggests that aldosterone excess is cardiotoxic

and nephrotoxic, suggesting that mineralocorticoid blockade has specific

benefits beyond blood pressure reduction. "

(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=\

12589175 & dopt=Abstract)

This raises another question for me... if a PA patient is able to

effectively control their blood pressure by DASHing, is it really safe

to discontinue Spiro or Inspra use?

Dave wrote:

> I found out that after starting aldo blockers (spiro, inspra), PA pts

> often experience a rise in aldo levels as the body tries to compensate

> for the non-function. THis is what happened to me, and although BP is

> controlled, the aldo is up 25%.

>

> My question was raised by my primary, Dr Carlson : what effects does

> aldo have on metabolism-related functions OTHER than raising BP? In

> other words, once lowering BP is achieved, is a rising aldo-rate going

> to have longer term subsidiary effects?

>

> Dave

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/13/05 12:59:13 AM, leslie@... writes:

This raises another question for me... if a PA patient is able to

effectively control their blood pressure by DASHing, is it really safe

to discontinue Spiro or Inspra use?

No trials but as the major goal of using aldo blockers in PA is to control the BP and the K if this can be done by diet I would not use drugs.

Remember that in animals one has to give ALDO AND SALT to have an effect on health.

A disease that can be managed by diet should not be treated in any other way.

May your pressure be low!

Clarence E. Grim, BS (Chem/Math), MS (Biochem), MD, FACP, FACC, FAHS

Clinical Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology

Director, Hypertension Diagnosis and Treatment Center

Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Hypertension

Published over 220 scientific papers, book chapters and 220 abstracts in the area of high blood pressure epidemiology, physiology, endocrinology measurement, treatment and how to detect curable causes.

Listed in Best Doctors in America

Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure and the History and Physiology of High Blood pressure in the African Diaspora