Frequently Asked Questions

About High Blood Pressure.

Select a question below.

• What is high blood pressure (hypertension)?
• How do I know if I have high blood pressure?
• Is there a cure for high blood pressure?
• What is a "normal" blood pressure and what do the numbers mean?
• What causes hypertension?
• What can I do to help lower my blood pressure?

About MICARDIS^®

Select a question below.

• What is MICARDIS?
• How does MICARDIS lower my blood pressure?
• Why is 24-hour control important?
• How do I take MICARDIS?
• How do I know if MICARDIS is working?
• When will I realize the full benefit of taking MICARDIS?
• Can I take MICARDIS if I am pregnant?
• What are the side effects associated with MICARDIS?
• Should I take MICARDIS with food or on an empty stomach?
• Can MICARDIS be used in patients with renal insufficiency?

About high blood pressure.

1. What is high blood pressure (hypertension)? High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a serious condition that can lead to health problems like coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. Usually, there are no symptoms, so you can have it for years without knowing. Unfortunately, serious damage to your body may take place during that time. That's why high blood pressure is sometimes called the "silent killer."

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2. How do I know if I have high blood pressure? High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. If left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can cause serious health problems. For some patients, blood pressure is a condition that can be controlled with adequate lifestyle changes, but many patients also need prescription medicine. It is important for your doctor to get an accurate measurement of your blood pressure.

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3. Is there a cure for high blood pressure? When high blood pressure has no known cause, it is called primary high blood pressure. Factors such as lifestyle, heredity, age, and race may be involved. This type of high blood pressure has no cure-it is a life-long condition.
   
   5-10% of high blood pressure cases, however, have a specific underlying cause such as another medical condition (for example, kidney abnormalities or hormonal imbalance) or certain drugs. This type of high blood pressure is called secondary high blood pressure.
   
   Primary high blood pressure is controlled with diet, exercise, and medication. But secondary high blood pressure is also managed by treating the underlying cause. If the cause is a drug, treatment may include stopping the drug.

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4. What is a "normal" blood pressure and what do the numbers mean? A blood pressure reading has two measurements. Systolic, the top number, is the pressure that occurs during a heartbeat; diastolic, the bottom number, is the pressure that occurs between heartbeats. A normal blood pressure is less than 120 systolic and 80 diastolic (120/80). Generally, blood pressure is too high if it stays over 140 systolic and 90 diastolic (140/90) after two or more visits to the doctor's office.

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5. What causes hypertension? More than 90% of the time, the cause of hypertension is not known, but risk factors for the disease include the following:
   
   What you CANNOT control
   • Family: a family history of high blood pressure
   • Race: affects over 40% of African Americans^†
   • Age: over half of Americans 60-69 years of age and around three-fourths of Americans 70 and over have high blood pressure
   
   What you CAN control^†
   • Smoking
   • Drinking too much alcohol
   • Being overweight or obese
   • Eating foods that are high in salt or sodium
   • Inactivity
   • Stress that is long-lasting

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   ^†Thom T, Haase N, Rosamond W, et al; Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2006 Update: a report from the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Found at http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/113/6/e85. Published Jan 2006. Accessed February 20, 2009.
   
   ^†U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Diseases and Conditions Index. High Blood Pressure. Who Gets High Blood Pressure? Found at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Hbp/HBP_WhoIsAtRisk.html.

6. What can I do to help lower my blood pressure? Here are some of the ways you can help control the risks related to high blood pressure:
   • Quit smoking
   • Limit drinking
   • Lose weight if you are above your ideal weight
   • Eat more fruits and vegetables
   • Get more exercise

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About Micardis

1. What is MICARDIS? MICARDIS is a once-daily medication for hypertension that works 24 hours a day to control blood pressure. This means MICARDIS is still working in the early morning, up until the next pill is taken.

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2. How does MICARDIS lower my blood pressure? MICARDIS lowers your blood pressure by relaxing your blood vessels, making it easier for your heart to pump blood. It is a type of medicine called an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB).
   
   Angiotensin II is a hormone your body makes that constricts blood vessels. And constricted blood vessels can make your blood pressure go up. Angiotensin II also causes your body to retain more salt and water—that can cause your blood pressure to go up. Plus, it can make the walls of your blood vessels and heart thicken and get stiffer. All of this can raise your blood pressure.
   
   MICARDIS blocks the action of angiotensin II. As a result, your blood vessels relax and widen. And that helps your blood pressure to go down.

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3. Why is 24-hour control important? Your blood pressure can go up and down during the day. Discuss with your doctor the benefits of full 24-hour blood pressure control.

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4. How do I take MICARDIS? If your doctor prescribes MICARDIS, it is important to take a single tablet at the same time every day, as instructed. A 30-day supply of MICARDIS comes in three convenient packs. Don't skip or miss doses or make any change in your dosing.

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5. How do I know if MICARDIS is working? High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, so you may not be able to tell if your medication is working to lower your blood pressure. That's why it is important to take your medicine every day and see your doctor regularly to have your blood pressure checked.

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6. When will I realize the full benefit of taking MICARDIS? Most of the antihypertensive effect is apparent within two weeks and maximal reduction is seen after four weeks. When additional blood pressure reduction beyond 80mg MICARDIS is required, a diuretic may be added.

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7. Can I take MICARDIS if I am pregnant? No. You must not take MICARDIS if you are pregnant. When used in pregnancy during the second and third trimesters, drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury, and even death to the developing fetus. When pregnancy is detected, MICARDIS tablets should be discontinued and you should call your doctor as soon as possible.

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8. What are the side effects associated with MICARDIS? Side effects are generally mild and may include:
   • upper respiratory tract infections, including sinus pain/infection and sore throat
   • back pain
   • diarrhea
   
   Rare but serious side effects may occur, including:
   • swelling of the face, tongue, or throat
   • difficulty breathing
   • rare cases of severe infection of the blood and body tissues

   What Important Safety Information Should I Know About MICARDIS?

   MICARDIS may cause:

   • Injury or death to an unborn baby. Do not take MICARDIS if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
   • Low blood pressure, which is most likely to happen if you also take diuretics (water pills), are on a diet low in salt and sodium, get dialysis treatments, have heart problems or get sick with vomiting or diarrhea. If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down, and call your doctor right away.
   • Kidney problems, which may get worse in people that already have kidney disease. Some people will have changes in kidney function test results and may need a lower dose of MICARDIS. Call your doctor if you get swelling in your feet, ankles, or hands, or unexplained weight gain.
   These are not all the possible side effects with MICARDIS. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

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9. Should I take MICARDIS with food or on an empty stomach? MICARDIS may be administered with or without food.

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10. Can MICARDIS be used in patients with renal insufficiency? Kidney problems may get worse in people that already have kidney disease. Some people will have changes in kidney function test results and may need a lower dose of MICARDIS. Call your doctor if you get swelling in your feet, ankles, or hands, or unexplained weight gain.

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