Thanks -- I only eat once or twice a day so that might not work as I read these should be taken with food. I am going to the doctor today and ask for a perscription for powdered potassium but I'm not holding any unrealistic hope. I might or might not take the BP medicine. My half-sister had a blood clot go to her eye when she was 50 and also had pretty high BP. She's been on Valspartin now for 23 years and she says her blood sugars are fine. She sees no side effects but who knows. Both my Grandmothers had major strokes in their early 70s so maybe mine will get worse. Its just a bummer as I do a lot to increase heart health. CoQ 10, excercise, low carb, magnesium, fish oil, weight loss. I would hope this stuff would effect my blood pressure more positively.