A little extreme, and yes, I am a cardiologist. Couple of words of advice, STAY AWAY from the Xanax. To quote a patient of mine who had a drug addiction problem, "Xanax makes you feel so good so fast that I know that it is bad for me." Probably one of the most addictive anxiolytics currently available. Shouldn't do any power lifting but limiting to 20 lbs would essentially make it so you can't even change a car tire. Just use some common sense. Of note, it is also important to determine how they made the measurements, docjohn can comment on radiologic imaging but if they used transesophageal echo, it can definitely measure incorrectly. Lastly, the specifics of size are dependent upon the mechanism of enlargement, ie Marfans or any other connective tissue process which also includes a bicuspid aortic valve has earlier intervention than hypertensive aneurysms. PM me if you have any specific questions.
Tim
The american express of drugs?
Okay from my Pharmacology class last quarter:
Non-pharmacological methods of reducing blood pressure:
1.Weight reduction-60% hypertension patients are overweight
2.DASH ( Diet Approach to Stop Hypertension) diet low in saturated fats, high in fruits and vegetables (April 1997 NEJM)
3.Cessation of smoking- Nicotine causes vasoconstriction
4.Reducing caffeine- Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor
5.reducing alcohol
6.aerobic exercise
7.Na restriction
Medications which can increase blood pressure:
1.Birth control pills
2.Antihistamines (allergy medications)
3.Corticosteroids
4.tricyclic antidepressants
First line drugs for reducing blood pressure:
1.Diuretics
2.beta-1 blockers
3.ACE inhibitors
4.Ca channel blockers
Facts about Xanax:
It is a sedative
Falls under the Benzodiazepines family
Benzodiazepines work by potentiating the effects of naturally occurring GABA (Gamma aminobutyric acid) but the effect is limited by the level of naturally occurring GABA, so there is less likelihood of severe respiratory depression than there is with the barbiturates.
Benzodiazepines are used in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, delirium tremens during alcohol withdrawal, status epilepticus and for producing amnesia for surgical procedures.
Adverse effects:
1. Psychological dependence- appears to be higher for drugs with shorter half lives. Halcion and Xanax especially have a tendency to cause an American Express Card syndrome.
2. Amnesia
3. Sudden withdrawal from large doses may induce paranoia, delirium, or anxiety attacks.
Long term use of benzodiazepi
nes in most situations is contra-indicated in the medical literature, but it is common in practice.
Alprazolam (Xanax)
#9 most commonly prescribed drug in the US in 2005
It is used to treat anxiety and panic attacks. It is very habit forming!
Most medications will have nasty adverse effects. For stress related problems you already have an alternative for xanax. Why dont you just drive the NSX more often. The way I see it, the fewer medications you have to take the less you have to worry about the adverse effects.
