EXFORGE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE REALITY SERIES
Lucinda Segment
EXR-900598
A FAMILY HISTORY
0:07
Lucinda:
My name is Lucinda. I am a journalist and I have a company called the Frugal Socialite. When I met Kemry, I became a true Washingtonian.
0:17
Kemry:
Lucinda's one of the most dynamic people I've ever met.
0:21
Kemry:
Okay, on three. One, two, three.
0:27
Kemry:
We're married, we're coming up on our third year and we have a son who will be two years next month.
0:32
Lucinda:
Good! You clicked all by yourself.
0:36
Lucinda:
K3 has come into our lives and has really blended in and become a part of the team.
0:43
Lucinda:
I grew up watching different members of my family take their blood pressure pills, and so it just seemed to me that it was something you did when you were "old". And I thought because I was more knowledgeable of better cooking techniques that I would not be a candidate.
1:00
Kemry:
She loves her vegetables; in particular, salads. I tell her a lot of times she's eating rabbit food. I would've never imagined she would have had an issue with high blood pressure.
1:12
Kemry:
Alright. Who's that?
K3:
Cat!
1:15
Lucinda:
I purchased a high blood pressure monitor because we decided, or maybe I should say I decided that Kemry was going to get healthy. So the whole blood pressure project was never about me. I don't want to be the poster child for it. But in many ways, maybe the fact that I look atypical will help other people.
ONE AFTERNOON
1:41
Lucinda:
One afternoon, we were checking Kemry's blood pressure, and he suggested that I check mine. And surprisingly, it was really high.
1:51
Kemry:
When we took her readings that day, I was truly surprised. We really thought the machine was broken.
1:58
Lucinda:
So we took the pressure again, and it was higher. My doctor advised me to lay down for an hour: completely still, no talking, no lights, and to take it again at the end of the hour. When I took the blood pressure after the hour, it was 201 over 110. I ended up rushed to the emergency room.
2:24
Kemry:
I'm not very fearful of things, but watching my wife, who I see as a picture of health, descend into something potentially dangerous was scary for me. In the back of my mind I was like- this is not what's supposed to be, and this is something that I am fearful of.
A SECOND OPINION
2:50
Lucinda:
At the hospital I was started on a calcium channel blocker to bring down my blood pressure. I still was not able to bring my pressure below 160. All my research showed that that 160 was still not a healthy number so I wanted to get a second opinion to find out what could be done in my case to get my number down.
Super:
(High blood pressure (or hypertension) is defined in an adult as a blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure.)
3:13
Kemry:
When she decided to get the second opinion, I felt like it was the best route.
3:22
Dr. Cannaday:
She was referred to me by a colleague of mine. At that time he had recognized that she had high blood pressure that wasn't being relatively well controlled.
3:31
Lucinda:
We talked a lot about my family history but we also talked more about where we were going from here.
3:40
Dr. Cannaday:
The family history is very important and a family component is the strongest risk factor.
3:48
Lucinda:
Driving home, it really started to sink in how serious this is. High blood pressure is something that stays with you for the rest of your life.
3:57
Dr. Cannaday:
This is not something to take lightly. Most people don't feel any symptoms, but high blood pressure, untreated, is very serious.
A DIFFERENT APPROACH
4:15
Lucinda:
I met my new doctor and he had a very fresh, open spirit. He listened to my history and the types of medications that I took.
4:25
Dr. Cannaday:
She was on a calcium channel blocker, and it just wasn't doing the trick, so we thought we would do a combination therapy. So I decided to change her to a medicine called Exforge.
4:36
Lucinda:
My doctor said that Exforge has been shown to be effective in treating high blood pressure when it comes to African American patients. He thought Exforge may be effective for me.
VO:
EXFORGE, Amlodipine and Valsartan tablets, is a prescription medication for the treatment of high blood pressure. It may be used when one medicine to lower your high blood pressure is not enough. It may also be used as the first medicine to lower high blood pressure if your doctor decides you are likely to need more than one medicine.
Super:
(Individual Results May Vary)
5:05
K3:
Hot.
Lucinda:
Bring that little face out of there.
K3:
Hot. Hot.
5:09
Lucinda:
When my doctor prescribed Exforge, I was already a mom and had no future plans on more children, so it was a good treatment plan for me.
Super & VO:
Warning. Avoid use of Exforge in pregnancy
5:22
Dr. Cannaday:
Exforge is not indicated for everybody, but in certain populations, and in my practice, it seems to work very well.
5:32
K3:
He's doing the hip hop?
Lucinda:
Is he doing the hip-hop?
5:35
Dr. Cannaday:
Exforge is approved to treat high blood pressure, and is not approved to treat or prevent cardiovascular events including heart attacks or strokes.
5:42
Lucinda:
I was very pleased when after about 2 weeks, my blood pressure was within the target range that we looked for.
Super:
(Individual Results May Vary)
5:50
K3:
Hi!
5:52
Lucinda:
At that point, he decided that Exforge was right for me, and we would go forward and check again in about a month. So, we met our goal.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
6:11
Lucinda:
This is Lucinda.
6:13
Lucinda:
I'm still very busy. However, I've tried to reduce the amount of stress.
6:17
Lucinda:
Come here. Come sit with mommy.
6:20
Lucinda:
I turn the phone off at a certain hour...Meditation, yoga...
6:26
Kemry:
Oftentimes our wives and our mates are the ones that stay on top of us about our health. Men can play a tremendous role in the lives of the women in their life, because we can be an encouragement to their healthy lifestyle.
6:42
Kemry:
Beautiful day.
Lucinda:
Beautiful day. Salud!
Kemry:
Salud!
6:47
Lucinda:
I was a little bit nervous about the lifestyle changes. I didn't want to give up chocolate and salty popcorn. However, I was able to cut back a little bit and add some other things, like a little more exercise, a little more relaxation. As a patient, you have to contribute to your overall success.
Super:
(Ask your doctor what lifestyle modifications are right for you)
A COMBINATION FOR SUCCESS
7:12
Lucinda:
Before I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, I kind of looked at it as a stigma. Today I'm no longer afraid of high blood pressure. I have it and all I can do is manage it, and help other people understand how they can manage it too.
7:31
Lucinda:
Yeah, I can't wait. OK.
7:35
Lucinda:
Yesterday I was talking with a colleague of mine and I happened to mention blood pressure. And he said, "Yeah, you know, I haven't gotten my prescription filled in months. I just don't have time for it." And I was really shocked.
7:48
Dr. Cannaday:
High blood pressure is a very serious disease. And it's a very manageable disease with diet, exercise, and medication.
7:55
Lucinda:
I just realized that my family and my health are the most critical aspects that I need to take care of. I want to see my son grow into a healthy, responsible young man, so taking care of myself is a lot of the equation.
8:10
Kemry: Besame. I love you.
8:16
Lucinda:
It's been about a year and half that I've been taking Exforge. I take it once a day, generally in the morning, and I'm pleased to report that my blood pressure is still at a healthy level. Exforge works for me.
Super:
(Individual Results May Vary)
8:30
Dr. Cannaday:
Let's see what we think about your pressure here. Wonderful.
Lucinda:
Alright. I'm happy about that number.
8:38
Dr. Cannaday:
Lucinda is an excellent case, and when she sees the numbers, she's even more encouraged to diet and exercise.
Super:
(Individual Results May Vary)
8:47
Lucinda:
It's funny most of us are in denial about things we just don't want to face. And many people talk about their high blood pressure as being "just a little high". Even if you're on the borderline, that is your signal that it's time to start looking for ways to manage that high blood pressure. If you can help control it, with lifestyle changes and the right blood pressure medication, why not do that?
-------------------------------
EXFORGE is a prescription medication for the treatment of high blood pressure. It may be used when one medicine to lower your high blood pressure is not enough. It may also be used as the first medicine to lower high blood pressure if your doctor decides you are likely to need more than one medicine.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I should know about EXFORGE?
If you become pregnant, stop taking EXFORGE and call your doctor right away. EXFORGE can harm an unborn baby causing injury and even death. If you plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about other treatment options to lower your blood pressure before taking EXFORGE.
Serious side effects could occur such as:
- Low blood pressure (hypotension). Lie down if you feel faint or dizzy and call your doctor right away.
- Worsening chest pain (angina) or heart attack, particularly in patients who already have severe heart disease. Get emergency help if you get worse chest pain or chest pain that does not go away.
- Kidney problems, changes in blood test results for patients with congestive heart failure, or allergic reactions. Call your doctor if you get swelling in your feet, ankles, or hands or unexplained weight gain.
Side effects are usually mild and brief. The most common side effects that occur more frequently with EXFORGE than placebo (sugar pill) are swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; nasal congestion or sore throat, head or chest cold; and dizziness.
Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if:
- You are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- You are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
- You have a heart condition
- You have liver or kidney problems
- You are vomiting or having a lot of diarrhea
Tell all your doctors or dentist you are taking EXFORGE if you:
- Are going to have surgery
- Go for kidney dialysis
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take. Especially tell your doctor if you take:
- Other medicines for high blood pressure or a heart problem
- Water pills (diuretics)
- Potassium supplements
- A salt substitute
EXFORGE is approved to treat high blood pressure, and is not approved to treat or prevent cardiovascular events including heart attacks or strokes.
The EXFORGE patients, their physicians, and members of their support network are real and have been compensated for their time.
Individual Results May Vary
Please See Full Prescribing Information on this Site
Copyright 2009 Novartis Printed in U.S.A. [June 3, 2009] T-EXR-900598
