Uncontrolled blood pressure

Me too Sallywally1. I have had
constant pounding in my ears - since last August. I was diagnosed with high BP - it was very high and I was immediately prescribed medication. I have since given up smoking, cut down massively on salt intake, changed to decaf - you name it I've done it. It came down after 2 weeks of medication but not enough and has stayed around the same since then. (Around 150/88)

I can't monitor it myself as I have arthritis in my hands and fingers, plus short arms and I just can't get the cuff on and then adjust it. (I live alone). Twice I've gone to GP for them to set me up for 24 hour monitoring and neither time have they been able to successfully get the cuff on to the extent that it would stay on for 24 hours. In fact on the second occasion they couldn't even get a reading.

I have yet another appointment next week - and still have the pounding in my ears. It's driving me mad.

So I'll be interested to see how you progress - please do keep us updated.

BP is high enough but not disastrous, my husband is fairly high BP but has joined the Gym does a good workout which has lowered it quite a bit, to the point where he can reduce meds. You need to get the heart rate up and dare I say, sweat, I did pick him up after shopping and there were quite a few women doing the keep fit routine.

Sallywally do you take Amlodipine? I was taking it and Ramipril still take it. At the AF clinic the nurse took it off me and said she wished GPs wouldn't prescribe Amlodipine it as it causes swollen ankles and water retention which doesn't do your heart any good and causes high blood pressure.
Peed a lot and my ankles and lower legs when right down within 2 weeks. So much so I could finally wear ankle boots which I couldn't before. I have Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation plus born with a small hole in my heart between my heart and lungs . Didn't know that until 2020. 2021 MRI on my heart with dye showed where it was . It's safer to leave alone as long as I don't get chest pain. Do get breathless at times especially in very hot or cold weather but no pain. On Flecainide and Apixaban. I have to take my BP every morning before my breakfast so know my BP range which is normal for me. I do get heart palpitations and flutters but just relax and over in a couple of minutes plus miss heart beats but live an active life as much as my body allows born disabled with rare hereditary neurological condition only had that diagnosed in 2022. Only because my new neurologist had my whole genome genetically tested.

Have you have a complete blood test including fasting cholesterol test if not ask for one. If it shows heart failure it doesn't mean you are dieing just your heart isn't pumping as it should. Then you should be referred to a cardiologist. I have had 3 major and 2 minor operations all with a dicky heart and no one knew. Had to laugh when my cardiologist told me about the hole . I will be 66 end of the month..

Thanks. I take atenolol, irbesartan and now lercandipine. My cholesterol is 6 and I was started on a statin but this made me very windy! I just feel I have followed all the medical advice, including losing around six stone, but nothing changes. I stopped am.odipine a while ago. Heart problems are in my family, though both my parents smoked like chimneys, so it’s not surprising I have not smoked for 40 years. My sister had a stroke aged 32. She was fine though.

There are quite a few threads on GN about BP which may be useful. Mine is usually high despite medication. At one point it was something like 220/110. I'm still here.

Thanks Kate, you are very reassuring! I’m quite worried.

Yes I can understand that. I take my meds and hope for the best. Even when it was that high the GP wasn't unduly worried. She sent me home to 'relax'. As if I could after that! I went back a week later. I told her I was scared I would have a stroke or heart attack. She said 'Yes you could but it won't be due to your bp'. So I don't know really.

Your weight loss is very impressive Sallywally1 so well done. It must have taken a lot of determination on your part.

I think with blood pressure lowering medication, it’s a case of experimenting with different ones to see which works best for you.
It’s so easy to ignore high blood pressure isn’t it, as there often aren’t any symptoms but it’s worth persevering as it’s such a high risk factor for strokes and heart attacks.

I’ve had high BP for over 20 years, as did my dear old Mum, she wasn’t overweight but did smoke and drink, I’m overweight but don’t really drink and never smoked.

My does fluctuate. I’m now on dapamide 1.5mg modified-release,
Lercanidipine 10mg tablets and
Lisinopril 10mg, as well as statins.

I’ve had to change meds a few times though as some were not effective and one gave me very swollen ankles.

Sorry that first one should be indapamide

I’ve been on Amlodipine for over a year, no side effects and BP has come down to a decent level.

My BP has been uncontrollable for years and I am on three BP meds, plus other heart meds. My cholesterol is low and my arteries clear. It goes up and down like a yoyo. Even a week in hospital didn't sort it.
Eventually it was discovered that a problem with the micro vessels in my heart was the cause.
For me 154/98 would be acceptable. I often have to take my BP for a week and then send the readings to my GP.

I have to live with it, nothing can be done.

I am dreading trying to get insurance for my husband when we go on holiday in June. He is now on 6 or 7 BP meds as his is extremely high. They say he cannot come off any of them!

He is not overweight, doesn’t smoke, rarely drinks, gets plenty of exercise, eats a healthy diet and is not a stressy person but he just has this really high BP.

We were at the hospital again today and we are both getting really fed up with it and also him taking all those meds.

That's very difficult for you both Primrose.

Sallywally do you take Amlodipine? I was taking it and Ramipril still take it. At the AF clinic the nurse took it off me and said she wished GPs wouldn't prescribe Amlodipine it as it causes swollen ankles and water retention which doesn't do your heart any good and causes high blood pressure.
Peed a lot and my ankles and lower legs when right down within 2 weeks.

Interesting information, Whiff
I might request a change

I had Amlopodine added back onto my repeats after a stay in hospital. My cardiologist said that along with my other BP and heart meds, it would help.
It did bring my BP down to around the 155/90 mark! The top reading had previously been sitting at 200!

Primrose, even with my extremely high BP and my other comborbidities, I managed to get travel insurance from a specialist company. It did cost a fortune.
I think the company was called Spectrum. Staysure wouldn't insure me.

Marydoll

*Primrose*, even with my extremely high BP and my other comborbidities, I managed to get travel insurance from a specialist company. It did cost a fortune.
I think the company was called Spectrum. Staysure wouldn't insure me.

Thank you so much. Will give them a look. 💐

My BP is usually on the upper end of normal, or a bit more. Our practice has initiated a remote monitoring scheme on which I was asked to be one of the first. I submit readings on the same day each week including BP, Oxygen, Pulse, Temperature, Weight. They provided the oximeter and thermometer. I have my own BP monitor which is a bit erratic and I might need a new one soon. Yesterday they rang me and said they thought the BP was on the high side, though I pointed out that it was the same as last time. I am on a low dose of Amlodipine. When I first took it, my ankles swelled but soon settled down. I never worry about my BP because it hasn't changed and probably never will. I've reached 83 with no noticeable effects.

I'm on lercanidipine and ramipril and I too now suffer from urine retention as well as swollen feet and ankles. My BP fluctuates from 116/65 to 208/110.
There doesn't seem to be much point in these pills.

Saw GP this morning who said my anxiety re BP might be making it worse and not to take it for a couple of weeks! Will probably be referred to hospital BP clinic for further tests. My stress level is a bit high as I have constant pain in my shoulder and arm from a tear and also arthritis. Waiting for some ablation of the nerve. I may as well live in the hospital! Thanks for all your lovely replies gransnetters.

Do you get pain from the cuff as it inflates when your BP is measure? I do, like many other people, and I wonder if that affects the reading.

ExDancer

Do you get pain from the cuff as it inflates when your BP is measure? I do, like many other people, and I wonder if that affects the reading.

It is normal to get pain, when the cuff inflates.

When I had my carpal tunnel op, the cuff was inflated for 27 mins (I think). It is to block the blood flow.
I couldn't be anaesthetised nor sedated, just a nerve block on my hand. Now that is uncomfortable!

Sallywally1

Saw GP this morning who said my anxiety re BP might be making it worse and not to take it for a couple of weeks! Will probably be referred to hospital BP clinic for further tests. My stress level is a bit high as I have constant pain in my shoulder and arm from a tear and also arthritis. Waiting for some ablation of the nerve. I may as well live in the hospital! Thanks for all your lovely replies gransnetters.

I find that meditating helps my BP. You could try listening to relaxation tapes or Youtube.. or yoga/mindfulness.. anything to help with the anxiety..Being calm and relaxed definitely helps..The other thing that my heart consultant recommended was high dose fish oils which I used to get on prescription but now need to pay for..