Q: I was on lisinopril for a few years to control my blood pressure, but it made me cough and feel dizzy. At times, my ankles swelled and I thought the drug might be to blame. For a surgical procedure, I was told to drop my supplements and keep taking the lisinopril.
My blood pressure was higher, but it dropped again after I started back on calcium and magnesium. That demonstrated that the drug offered only modest benefit for me. In looking for alternatives, I read about beetroot.
Gradually, I substituted beetroot capsules for the lisinopril. Along with the mineral supplements, beetroot controls my blood pressure as well as lisinopril, with no dizziness, no cough and no swollen ankles. A: Lisinopril is the most popular blood pressure medication in the pharmacy, but it can cause an unpleasant cough and dizziness.
Ankle swelling might be a symptom of kidney problems. Beets and beet juice contain natural nitrates. Many studies have shown that these can lower blood pressure (Advances in Nutrition, Nov.
7, 2017). Both calcium and magnesium also have been shown to lower blood pressure (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Jan. 11, 2022; Kardiologia Polska, Aug.
25, 2020). You can learn more about beet juice and other nondrug approaches to controlling high blood pressure in our “eGuide to Blood Pressure Solutions.” This online resource can be found under the Health eGuide tab at peoplespharmacy.
com. Q: Chiggers are brutal here in South Carolina in the summertime. I’ve trie.
