Newly diagnosed with high BP- just wondering about general do's and dont's

Best advise is to ask your local pharmacist they truly know the best. I know you are correct in drinking plenty that’s the only thing for certain I can say, lots of water.

I take Amlodipine 10mgs daily. No side effects except very slightly swollen ankles at first, but not now after about ten years on this drug. If I have a headache I take Ibuprofen. If I feel unwell I take paracetamol. So long as the headaches don’t become regular ( then you should probably consult your doctor if you think they’re medication induced) I’d just carry like before.

I was told headaches "can be" a side effect when you first take the medication and it is ok to take Paracetamol.

If this is a medication that is not compatible with the tablets you have already been prescribed , you would ( or should have been ) informed by your Dr.
It would seem unlikely that this is the case ,but
A quick telephone call to your surgery will give clear clarification.

I have had high blood pressure since my late twenties even though I eat different foods than my parents did. I have never been overweight and always been active it runs in our family as does bad cholesterol.
I have always watched what I eat and apart from the one meal a week eating out I cook everything from scratch. I am on a beta blocker and angiotensin but only relatively lose dose.
Basically cut down on salt and processed foods ready made meals are full of salt. Eat more rice grains and pulses flavour foods with herbs rather than too much salt. Cut down on carbs getting weight down helps reduce blood pressure don’t smoke cut down on alcohol. Basic lifestyle changes walk more buy salt reduced sauces etc eat less fried foods. Sensible eating is the key and it will make you feel better too.

I’m also on Amlodipine, I started to take them late last year, so I’ve changed to Decaf coffee (I don’t drink tea). But we don’t eat processed foods so I haven’t changed our diets.

I have Covid at the moment and have taken Ibuprofen and Paracetamol as I would for normal colds and fluey feelings, apart from Asthma prescriptions in not on any other medication
BP is now within the normal range.

I take Amlodipine, have done for years. I have been told not to take Ibuprofen as it can raise blood pressure and also make the medication less effective. Therefore I don’t take the risk and just take Paracetamol if I need to.

I have been told this by doctors more than once.

I used to be on Amlodipine but my ankles swelled so much I had to try other drugs.

As others have said, maintain a reasonable weight, low salt intake and google the best food to take. Try to eat your 5 a day with vegetables and fruit. I never take a drug that has not been prescribed for me-analgesia is post-surgery only.

I take Amlodipine 5m with Valsarten 40mg which is also a blood pressure tablet every morning too. Been on them quite a while now but still have my blood pressure going through the roof.
Mind you it could be my age.

avoid salt. best not to buy it. can use other flavourings, herbs, spices etc.
good luck.

Oopsadaisy1 I thought Ibuprofen wasn't recommended for people who have asthma?
(That's why I won't take it).

I am on Amlodipine 5mg daily. The Doctor started me on 10mg daily, but my feet started to swell. When I mentioned it to her, she reduced it to 5 mg daily.
V3ra - I have asthma and take Ibuprofen, when my knees play up. It didn’t have any negative effect on my asthma.

V3ra it isn’t something I would normally take on a regular basis, but over the last 7 days I’ve taken it 3 times as I had an awful earache and Paracetomol didn’t sort it.
I’ve not had any worsening of Asthma when I do take Ibuprofen, but I wouldn’t take it (or Paracetomol ) for more than 3 days anyway.
Fortunately I haven’t been this unwell for years.

V3ra

Oopsadaisy1 I thought Ibuprofen wasn't recommended for people who have asthma?
(That's why I won't take it).

You're right. I have asthma.

That's good that Ibuprofen doesn't adversely affect either of you. I think I read it in the warning leaflet in the box. I didn't find it particularly effective myself so stick to the paracetamol when required.

That was to CrazyH and Oopsadaisy1

Oopsadaisy1

V3ra it isn’t something I would normally take on a regular basis, but over the last 7 days I’ve taken it 3 times as I had an awful earache and Paracetomol didn’t sort it.
I’ve not had any worsening of Asthma when I do take Ibuprofen, but I wouldn’t take it (or Paracetomol ) for more than 3 days anyway.
Fortunately I haven’t been this unwell for years.

earache could be an infection, which would need antibiotics.
have you had it checked ?

wellbeck I think it’s part of Covid, I woke up this morning and it’s gone.
It didn’t feel like a ‘normal’ earache, I’ve had some fleeting aches and pains this past week, from my head to my toes and I’m still testing positive, but I’m hoping the symptoms will tail off as it goes away.

Losing weight and low salt intake are the two main can things anyone do to influence their B/P.

Lots of exercise (long walks every day) brings down the BP. Fasting, vegan diet, tons of vegetables and good sleep cures it. I'm just amazed that most people can tolerate Amlodipine.

It seems to be the first BP drug prescribed (so must be the cheapest). I had a massive migraine and couldn't keep my balance - after taking one. Next, a long trial of all the others (horrid side effects) all unsuitable - and a trip to A & E with allergy to one. Lesson learnt, a bad diet and lack of exercise = HBP.

mamaa are you able to walk - for about 30 mins - every other day or every day if you find you enjoy it?
I am same age as you and have genetic high BP/high Cholesterol and take 3 meds.
Keep my weight within normal range, try not to worry as you said, and eat well. These things combined with as much walking as I can have stabilised my BP for 4 years now.
Good Luck ?

I have taken 5mgs Amlodiopine for years and have also taken painkillers if I wanted to do so. no ill effects. IMO Amlodipine is a very good medication. BTW I think this is the one where you need to not take grapefruit specifically.

PS Hetty's right about life style !

I've been taking amlodipine 5 mg for several years now with no side effects other than slightly puffy ankles by the end of the day. And my blood pressure has remained normal since taking them.
I never take ibuprofen as it upsets my digestion, but do regularly take paracetamol and codeine for my back.