A personal note from Vladimir Fanshil & Eleanor Lyons
Live at Yours began in the most unexpected way — in our own living room. In 2020, when the world fell silent, we refused to believe that music should exist only on screens. So we gathered a handful of people, pulled the chairs close, and performed for twenty guests at a time. Those evenings were small, fragile, unforgettable — and they reminded us why we became musicians: to share something real, something human, something that only exists when people come together.
A New Way to Experience Music
In the first years, we travelled across NSW and the ACT, giving more than 50 performances in lounge rooms, coffee roasteries, tin sheds in the outback, art galleries, churches, synagogues and regional theatres.
It was in those intimate settings that we connected deeply with locals, listened to their feedback, and discovered what Australians truly value in live music: informal yet refined, relaxed yet deeply sincere, intimate yet world-class.
Those conversations shaped everything — from our welcoming tone to having no intervals, allowing the emotional arc to flow without interruption. This is how we crafted the ultimate listening experience we offer today: personal, natural and genuinely shared.
From a lounge room to a national stage
Live at Yours has now grown far beyond our living room — into concert spaces across Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Orange, Castlemaine and beyond — yet the essence remains unchanged.
Every venue is chosen for its story and atmosphere. Every performance is lit and shaped to feel close, warm and immersive. And every artist who joins us shares our belief in vulnerability, honesty and connection.
World-class artists, up close
Extraordinary artists, shared in intimate spaces — where every detail comes alive.
Richard Tognetti
Yamen Saadi
Alexander Gavrylyuk
Emily Sun
Elena Kats-Chernin
Andrew Haveron
Kristian Winther
Rosanna Rolton
Vatche Jambazian
Elina Faskhi
Stefanie Farrands
Simon Tedeschi
Committed to the next generation
As Live at Yours grows, so does our responsibility to young musicians. Through masterclasses, mentoring, and partnerships with ANAM and the Sydney Conservatorium, we help the next generation experience the same intimacy and inspiration that shaped our early years.
Thank you for being part of this journey!
We can’t wait to welcome you — up close, and personal.
Telmisartan: An Australian Doctor’s Guide to Smarter Blood Pressure Control for People Over 30
Disclaimer: This article is general medical information from a doctor’s perspective and does not replace individual advice from your GP or specialist.
Attention — The Silent Threat You Can’t Feel
If you’re over 30 in Australia, you probably know someone with high blood pressure — or you may have it yourself. Hypertension is called the “silent killer” because it rarely causes symptoms until the damage is done. You may feel fine, but every day elevated pressure pushes against your arteries, straining your heart, kidneys, brain and eyes. One in three Australian adults has high blood pressure, and many don’t know it. The fear is real: stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, vision loss, even dementia. Maybe you’ve tried medication before and stopped because of side effects like a dry cough, dizziness, or fatigue. Maybe you worry about taking a tablet every day for life. As a doctor, I hear these concerns constantly. But there is a medication that has changed the landscape of hypertension treatment: telmisartan.
Interest — Why Telmisartan Stands Out
Telmisartan belongs to a class called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). It works by blocking a hormone that narrows blood vessels, allowing them to relax and widen. But telmisartan has a unique advantage: it has the longest half-life of any ARB — around 24 hours — meaning one morning dose gives true all-day and all-night protection. Many other blood pressure medicines wear off before you wake, leaving you vulnerable to the dangerous early-morning surge in blood pressure that is linked to strokes and heart attacks.
Telmisartan Efficacy in Hypertension
Clinical studies show that telmisartan 40–80 mg once daily significantly reduces both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Its 24-hour coverage is particularly valuable for people over 30, because blood pressure naturally rises with age and arterial stiffness. Compared with older ARBs like losartan or irbesartan, telmisartan consistently delivers stronger and more sustained blood pressure reduction throughout the full dosing interval.
Comparison of Common ARBs — Half-Life and Once-Daily Coverage
| Drug | Approximate Half-Life | 24-Hour Coverage |
|---|
| Losartan | 2 hours (active metabolite 6–9 hours) | Variable |
| Irbesartan | 11–15 hours | Good |
| Candesartan | 9–12 hours | Good |
| Telmisartan | 24 hours | Excellent |
The ONTARGET Trial — Proof That Matters
You should know about ONTARGET, one of the largest cardiovascular trials ever conducted. It enrolled over 25,000 high-risk patients and compared telmisartan 80 mg with ramipril 10 mg, a well-established ACE inhibitor. The result: telmisartan was equally effective in reducing cardiovascular death, heart attack, stroke, and hospitalisation for heart failure — but with significantly fewer side effects. Patients on telmisartan had less cough and less angioedema than those on ramipril. This trial gave doctors confidence that telmisartan is not just a second-choice drug; it is a first-line protector for heart and brain.
Safety Profile — What You Need to Know
Like all medicines, telmisartan has potential side effects, but most people tolerate it very well. The most common are mild dizziness, headache, or back pain, usually settling within days. Serious side effects are rare but include severe hypotension, high potassium levels (hyperkalaemia), kidney impairment, and very rarely angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue). There have been rare reports of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) in patients taking telmisartan. If you experience severe abdominal pain that radiates to the back with nausea or vomiting, seek medical attention promptly.
Telmisartan Side Effects at a Glance
| Common | Rare but Serious |
|---|
| Dizziness, headache, fatigue | Angioedema |
| Back pain, muscle cramps | Hyperkalaemia (high potassium) |
| Mild stomach upset | Acute kidney injury |
| Upper respiratory infection | Severe hypotension |
| — | Pancreatitis (rare) |
Important Interactions — Rifampin, Cyclosporine, and Acupuncture
Telmisartan and rifampin: Rifampin (rifampicin), an antibiotic used for tuberculosis and other infections, can reduce the blood levels of telmisartan. This means your blood pressure may rise while taking rifampin. If you are prescribed rifampin, your doctor should monitor your blood pressure closely and may need to adjust your telmisartan dose.
Telmisartan and cyclosporine: Cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant used after organ transplants or for autoimmune conditions, can increase potassium levels and affect kidney function. Combining it with telmisartan may raise the risk of hyperkalaemia and kidney injury. Regular blood tests for potassium and creatinine are essential if you take both.
Telmisartan and acupuncture: Acupuncture is generally safe with telmisartan, but it can lower blood pressure temporarily. If you are having acupuncture while taking telmisartan, you might experience dizziness or light-headedness. Tell your acupuncturist about all your medicines, and check your blood pressure at home, especially after sessions.
Telmisartan Disposal Guidelines Australia
If you stop taking telmisartan or have expired tablets, do not throw them in the household rubbish or flush them down the toilet. In Australia, the correct method is to return unwanted medicines to your local pharmacy. This is part of the national Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) Project, which safely disposes of medicines and protects waterways and the environment. Simply take your leftover telmisartan tablets to any community pharmacy — it’s free and easy.
Desire — Why Telmisartan Is a Smart Choice for Australians Over 30
Now let’s talk about what really matters to you: living a long, healthy life without being chained to side effects. Telmisartan offers a once-daily tablet that works for a full 24 hours, reducing the risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure. It is especially useful if you have diabetes, as it helps protect the kidneys from diabetic damage. Unlike ACE inhibitors such as ramipril or perindopril, telmisartan rarely causes the persistent dry cough that drives many people to stop treatment. And unlike some older blood pressure medications, telmisartan is not typically associated with erectile dysfunction or significant fatigue.
Why Patients Prefer Telmisartan
| Feature | Benefit for You |
|---|
| Once-daily dosing | Easy to remember — take it in the morning |
| 24-hour half-life | Protects during early-morning surge in BP |
| Low cough risk | No annoying dry cough like ACE inhibitors |
| Kidney protection | Slows kidney damage in diabetes and hypertension |
| PBS subsidised | Affordable for Australian patients with a script |
Imagine waking up every morning knowing your blood pressure is controlled around the clock. No more anxiety about sudden spikes. No more worrying that your medication stopped working overnight. Telmisartan gives you that peace of mind — backed by the ONTARGET trial and decades of real-world use.
Action — Talk to Your Doctor Today
If you are over 30 and have high blood pressure — or if you’re on a medication that causes cough, fatigue, or poor control — ask your GP about telmisartan. It is available on the PBS, so a prescription is affordable. You can buy telmisartan at any Australian pharmacy after your doctor prescribes it. Do not stop your current medicine without medical advice, but start the conversation. Ask: “Would telmisartan be suitable for me?”
Book an appointment today. Take control of your blood pressure before it takes control of you. Your heart, brain, and kidneys will thank you — for years to come.
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