Pulmonary Hypertension

With the disastrous outcome of indiscriminate prescribing of Fen-Phen, which were used as diet pills, another form of hypertension developed. It was a rare complication, but so significant that the FDA decided to withdraw the products from the market. Fenfluramine and phentermine in concert were more effective in weight loss than each alone, but the side-effects were super additive as well.

They led in some cases to fibrotic permanent changes of heart valves and the lining of the pulmonary vessels. This led to breathing problems, high blood pressure inside the pulmary vessels and to congestive heart failure resistant to the normal medical therapy resulting in premature death (Ref. 7, p. 1195). Here is a link to a site where more in-depth info is available regarding this topic.

My approach to obesity is completely drug free as I have pointed out throughout the Net Health Book. I am recommending a comprehensive multistep program involving balanced nutrition, fitness as well as stress management. This involves a change in attitude resulting in a permanent constructive life style change. This is described in detail in the chapter entitled Health, nutrition and fitness. You can use this link to get there.

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Cardiovascular Disease

Hypertension

Disclaimer:

This outline is only a teaching aid to patients and should stimulate you to ask the right questions when seeing your doctor. However, the responsibility of treatment stays in the hands of your doctor and you.

References:

1. "The sixth report of the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure ( JNC IV )" Arch Int Med 1997(157): 2413-2446.

2. JS Trilling et al. Arch Fam Med 2000 Sep/Oct (9): 794-801.

3. DJ Hyman et al. Arch Intern Med 2000 Aug 160(15): 2281-2286.

4. CP Tifft Curr Hypertens Rep 2000 Jun (3): 243-246.

5. The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 199.

6. Noble: Textbook of Primary Care Medicine, 3rd ed.,2001, Mosby Inc.

7. Goroll: Primary Care Medicine, 4th ed., 2000, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Last Modified: Jan. 20, 2008