High Blood Pressure during the Night.

[Rubymurray25]

Hi, I wonder if anyone is able to help me with a high blood pressure issue. I have had Paroxysmal Afib for about 10 years and managed Ok other than the occasional visit to A&E when the HR won't drop from 140 and then have had to have a Cardio Version, one full version and another one via an injection All seemed Ok but over the past 12 months I often wake up in the night and assumed it was because I needed the toilet. When I first was waking up for the toilet went to the Doctor , he checked the prostate and said all was fine, he offered a tablet to help control the bladder but I said i would try and control by not drinking late at night. I stopped alcohol all together three years ago as even one beer might trigger off the AF. The other night I thought I would check my blood pressure when I went to the toilet as I felt strange and it was 179/86/52 I stayed up for a couple of hours drinking Hibiscus tea and it eventually dropped to 144/93/53. I went back to bed at 3.15 and when I woke up at 6.50 it was 165/95/54 , this pattern has continued for the past 5 nights. I have booked a doctors appointment for two weeks time I soonest they could see me but am concerned and just wanted to ask if anyone had a similar experience. I take 80mg of Sotalol twice a day, one 20mg Rivaroxaban and a 20mg Atorvastatin.

Many thanks

[CDreamer]

Waking with a need to urinate is one of the classic signs of AF - I wonder if both the urination and high BP were symptoms? Being female I lack the prostrate and often that is my most significant symptom when it starts at night.

BP readings when in AF are also notoriously haywire and mine can shoot up and then down - if the machine will take a reading at all which it often won’t.

Do you have a Kardia? That would show AF. Could have been a short run whilst you were asleep and were not aware of symptoms or could have been asymptomatic.

Perhaps ask for a mobile monitor of some sort just or see if you are having nighttime AF?

[10gingercats in reply to CDreamer]

I never knew about the need to urinate and AF during the night. I am not troubled much at all by my own Afib and rarely get up in the night ....I am no longer a kitten......so maybe my heart is in better nick than I though ....Yipee...thanks for the info. it has made my day.

[CDreamer in reply to 10gingercats]

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

[Rubymurray25 in reply to CDreamer]

Hi CDreamer, Many thanks for your reply and I will definitely be looking to invest in a Kardia.

[Rubymurray25]

Well, I find that most interesting about Sotalol and will definitely be asking my new doctor about an alternative. The Consultant recently made no reference to an alternative but did offer to do an ablation which I said I would hold back from! Thanks for the heads up.

[cassie46]

Hi Ruby - I have permanent AF and as CD says having to get up and go to the loo is a common AF symptom. Most nights I visit the loo at least 3 times (would be bliss to have a full nights sleep). When I take my blood pressure, I do not do it regularly only if I feel that my heart if playing up, I do it 3 or 4 times over a 10 minute period as because of the AF it is often erratic, but I normally get one decent reading. Last month I had a appointment at the cardiac clinic, nurse took my blood pressure before seeing the doctor it was high, saw doctor he said your blood pressure is high, I said I was not concerned as it is often erratic, so he took it twice one was normal one was high and left it at that!

Cassie

[Rubymurray25]

Hi Cassie, I appreciate hearing about your experience and that is a good tip taking it a few times and see if that makes a difference. I just find it a little scary when the readings are consistently over 170/90 at night but I guess the Rivaroxaban should help protect me!

[Bettiehough]

I i have been treated in the Uk for a PAF and nobody did anything about my blood pressure. I stay British winter in the SA and my daughter a medical Dr took me to my cardiologist here who I saw I 2015 and took another echo of my heart. My left atrium enlarged considerable since then. He then took my blood pressure and told me HBP puts pressure on the heart and at night sleep apnea (do you snore?) also cause HBP which cause AT I went for tests at sleep clinic has been diagnosed with sleep apnea. One can use a dental device to sleep with in the night to eliminate it and also CPap machine if bad sleep apnea. I am on HPB Tablet’s and get plate Monday. 24 h Ambulatory BP machine showed my BP normal and hopeful plate will sort sleepapnea. A test with Cpap machine reduced my sleep apnea considerable but if plate does not work as well I will get Cpap machine in the uK where I get it free. Here I have to pay. He said this all should reduce my heart and PAF episodes. I had 3 energency Hospital visits in 3months where I had to be cardioverted last year. This year none yet touch wood.

Hope this helps.

[Rubymurray25 in reply to Bettiehough]

Great information and spot on with the snoring, I try to lie on my side to eliminate but that seems to increase my heart rate unless it just makes me more aware of it! A test with a Cpap machine sounds a good idea.

Many thanks

[Rubymurray25 in reply to Bettiehough]

Hi, Hope you are still PAF free since the last post? I just wanted to send a belated thank you as following your post and someone else mentioning sleep apnea, I was checked and had 68 episodes per hours so straight on the Cpap machine and am pleased to say after 4 weeks was down to 2.2 episodes a night. It has in the last few weeks gone back up to 10 ish but they are now classified as Central Apnea and I will be seeing the Respiratory consultant as that is another issue, but I feel so much more refreshed in the morning and my heart is behaving itself! Thanks again. Max

[Bettiehough in reply to Rubymurray25]

So happy for you.

[Janith]

Why is sotalol no longer recommended in UK? I live in the US and my cardiologist prescribed sotalol aka beta pace. I have only had two episodes and take 40 mg twice per day. Morning and evening. It seems okay but sometimes l wonder about it. I seem to have vivid dreams ... but no more episodes since taking it.???

[Polski]

Heart rate is often worse if you lie on your left side. Lying on the right side seems to be better.

[Tako2009]

Hi there. Have you checked if you have a touch of sleep apnoea or do you snore? I found this caused my BP to be high at night time / first thing in morning and this was years before there was any sign of AF. May be worth checking out - you can ask to be referred for a sleep study.

[Rubymurray25 in reply to Tako2009]

Hi Tako2009, So pleased I listened to your advice, I have just had my test results back and I do in fact have severe sleep apnoea, 68 episodes per hour. Hopefully, that will control other areas of concern. Many thanks Max ( AKA Rubymurray)

[Tako2009 in reply to Rubymurray25]

Glad to be of some use! I have been battling high blood pressure for many years, but still very much a newbie where AF is concerned. This forum is the best source of information I have found - much better than anyone I have spoken to from the medical profession. Hope you can sort out the sleep problem soon. Liz

[Rubymurray25]

Thank you Tako2009 , having read a few of the replies I think that is what I might have and will definitely be getting sleep apnoea checked out.

[Asdfvv]

I recommend going vegan for a few weeks. Eat plenty of canned or frozen vegetables. In order to lower blood pressure. Also reduce sodium intake.

[Rubymurray25]

Will definitely give that a go as I love trying new things, many thanks.