Second Medical Opinion.
Discussion
My long term Doctor has recently retired after treating me for over 27 years, with the last 5 years being mainly monitored for high blood pressure, 148/78 being the last pulse reading.
Over the previous 5 years I have been prescribed to take One Ramipril 10 mg per day, the new Doctor who has taken over the above Doctor, has now put me on One Ramipril 10 mg, plus One Amlodipine 5mg, plus One Simvastatin 10 mg, plus One Aspirin 75 mg, ALL per day.
Not wanting to appear to be a clever clogs, but I recollect reading several media reports, stating that both the taking of Statins and Aspirin cause more harm than good, and should therefore be avoided. So, is there any way I can obtain a confidential second medical opinion on if the above prescribed medication is advisable.
Over the previous 5 years I have been prescribed to take One Ramipril 10 mg per day, the new Doctor who has taken over the above Doctor, has now put me on One Ramipril 10 mg, plus One Amlodipine 5mg, plus One Simvastatin 10 mg, plus One Aspirin 75 mg, ALL per day.
Not wanting to appear to be a clever clogs, but I recollect reading several media reports, stating that both the taking of Statins and Aspirin cause more harm than good, and should therefore be avoided. So, is there any way I can obtain a confidential second medical opinion on if the above prescribed medication is advisable.
Wings said:
My long term Doctor has recently retired after treating me for over 27 years, with the last 5 years being mainly monitored for high blood pressure, 148/78 being the last pulse reading.
Over the previous 5 years I have been prescribed to take One Ramipril 10 mg per day, the new Doctor who has taken over the above Doctor, has now put me on One Ramipril 10 mg, plus One Amlodipine 5mg, plus One Simvastatin 10 mg, plus One Aspirin 75 mg, ALL per day.
Not wanting to appear to be a clever clogs, but I recollect reading several media reports, stating that both the taking of Statins and Aspirin cause more harm than good, and should therefore be avoided. So, is there any way I can obtain a confidential second medical opinion on if the above prescribed medication is advisable.
Ask to see another doctor at your surgery, although obviously there is a risk that they might not want to disagree with their colleague. Alternatively, register with another practice as a temporary patient and ask a doctor there about it. Personally I believe that statins and aspirin are beneficial, but this isn't based on any evidence apart from what we are taught at uni.Over the previous 5 years I have been prescribed to take One Ramipril 10 mg per day, the new Doctor who has taken over the above Doctor, has now put me on One Ramipril 10 mg, plus One Amlodipine 5mg, plus One Simvastatin 10 mg, plus One Aspirin 75 mg, ALL per day.
Not wanting to appear to be a clever clogs, but I recollect reading several media reports, stating that both the taking of Statins and Aspirin cause more harm than good, and should therefore be avoided. So, is there any way I can obtain a confidential second medical opinion on if the above prescribed medication is advisable.
Sounds like a reasonable cocktail. The aspirin is fair enough - guidance is that 75mg aspirin if you have one or more cardiac risk factor. Your blood pressure is a risk factor, and at 148mmHg systolic it is higher than it should be. The evidence base is to reduce it as much as possible, at a minimum less than 140mmHg. Adding amlodipine is a reasonable step. Normally amlodipine is a first line anti-hypertensive, and ramipril is only added later but combining the two is perfectly reasonable if you have been on rami 10mg for that amount of time.
Statins are a slightly odd issue. Originally designed and prescribed for high cholesterol, they seem to have much further reaching side actions. The latest thinking is that they have general anti-inflammatory effect, which is much more important than cholesterol, for things like stroke, cancer, heart disease etc etc. Some big trials came out in the last six months that reckon that the lower the background "inflammation", the lower risk for all disease.
By all means go for a second opinion, but it doesn't sound like the new doc is being too radical.
Statins are a slightly odd issue. Originally designed and prescribed for high cholesterol, they seem to have much further reaching side actions. The latest thinking is that they have general anti-inflammatory effect, which is much more important than cholesterol, for things like stroke, cancer, heart disease etc etc. Some big trials came out in the last six months that reckon that the lower the background "inflammation", the lower risk for all disease.
By all means go for a second opinion, but it doesn't sound like the new doc is being too radical.
Wings, from the sounds of it (and depending on your age), your new GP is treating you appropriately and according to current (evidence based) guidelines. Have faith in your GP, from what you've told us they seem to be doing the right thing. Out of interest which statin are you taking?
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