Uncontrolled blood pressure

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. 💐

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.

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!

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

That's very difficult for you both Primrose.

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.

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

Sorry that first one should be indapamide

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.

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.

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.

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

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. 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.

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..

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.

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.