Blood pressure
Drugstore and blood pressure pharmacy online

Joe has joined the Take Action For Healthy BP program and encourages others with high blood pressure to take action by working with their doctor to set a blood pressure goal, develop a treatment plan and work together to reach that goal. Lotrel and the Take Action for Healthy BP program have helped Joe Montana successfully lower his blood pressure.
Earlier this year, Ryan Bendixen, a 33-year-old climber, attempted to reach the summit of Mount Everest, a challenge that seemed unachievable 14 years ago. In 1990 at 20 years old, Ryan Bendixen felt that he was on top of the world. A member of an elite unit of the Army, the Littleton, CO resident had just learned he would be shipped off to serve in the Gulf War. However, Bendixen's dream of serving his country came to a halt when he was diagnosed with high blood pressure during an Army physical and was honorably discharged after the physician told him that he was not physically fit for active duty.

The Impact of High Blood Pressure
The news was devastating for this extremely active athlete, whose favorite pastimes included mountain climbing, running and playing rugby. "Here I was at the prime of my life — I didn't feel or look sick — yet, I was being told by doctors that I was seriously ill," says Bendixen. "The news really threw me into a funk." During the next few years, Bendixen took medication for his condition but was often lax and did not always comply with his high blood pressure treatment regimen. "My wake-up call came when my doctor told me he had seen younger, otherwise healthy men die of strokes and heart attacks because they did not take their high blood pressure seriously."
Finding the Right Medication

Climbing to New Heights
As a highly experienced climber, Bendixen has completed countless climbs, tackling mountain ranges around the world including the Rockies, Alps, Andes and Himalayas. Each climb Bendixen undertakes is a learning experience during which he tests the dosing of his medication, checks his blood pressure along the climb, and gains valuable knowledge on how to best maintain his health and safety in a high altitude environment.

Today, as a husband, father and successful business man, Ryan this year realized a life-long dream by attempting to summit Mount Everest. Making it to 24,000 feet was a major accomplishment. Back in Colorado, Ryan continues to climb and spread the word about the risks of uncontrolled high blood pressure. He recently visited his doctor and joined Novartis' Take Action for Healthy BP, a new program to help those with high blood pressure reach their goal.

Ryan Bendixen's Mt. Everest climb was sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, proud sponsors of

Joe Montana is a paid spokesperson of Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

Frustrated at not being able to pursue his passion for climbing, Bendixen began to take a more proactive approach to the treatment of his high blood pressure. After researching his options and communicating his challenges with his doctor, Bendixen discovered Diovan. With Diovan, Bendixen has been able to manage his high blood pressure effectively without the side effects he experienced with other high blood pressure medications. Bendixen continues to work with his physician to manage his health and high blood pressure that enables him to lead an active and fulfilling life as a husband, father and mountaineer.

Taking Action
Motivated by this warning, Bendixen began to resume a healthier lifestyle. While he took his medicine and was able to manage his high blood pressure effectively, Bendixen still felt limited physically, mostly because of the side effects he was experiencing as a result of his medications, which included ACE inhibitors and beta blockers. The most debilitating side effect he experienced was a dry, hacking cough that plagued him for more than three years. "I coughed all day long— when I ran or walked, and even when I was sleeping. I felt disabled. I was being told by my doctors to not do anything strenuous and I couldn't accept that."