BP HIGH AGAIN

Went this morning for a BP check and its not reading properly in AF again. Why is this damn condition so frustrating! 8 weeks since my paroxismal turned into more permanent than not with good and bad days aplenty, a virus the cause, now on ablation waiting list .Blood pressure check today and telling her I'm getting headaches, now seems my BP at 151/91 but hard to read with the cuff with 3 different readings , the nurse asking the doctor who then came back and said take 100mg instead of 50mg losartin, quite a jump . The 2.5mg bisoprolol moved to 5mg which I said I'm not as it made me so breathless last time until I reduced it I felt awful and it didn't seem to change my pulse or BP any different to what it is now , she says "my call, you will just have a heart attack or stroke" , thanks, that's made me feel great . Done what I promised since the scare 8 weeks ago in and out of hospitial , and am walking or gentle cycling 30mins a day up to now and was feeling much better, that is until now . Now feeling worried, panicky, and BP is now higher than ever , I truly hate this damn AF thing with a passion and don't know whether doctors fully understand how I feel or are actually that bothered just happy to put fear and Dread into me lecture and throw more tablets at me without seeing me just off the nurses word , it's such a shame as I felt I was on right track doing something every day, and now feel brought back to square one with a bump.

[BobD Volunteer]

Automatic BP machines are notoriously inaccurate if you have AF . The old manual way was best but rare these days and few newer nurses even know how to use one.

The important thing about AF is to understand that this is you now and manage your condition as best you can. Doesn't sound like you have a very good team looking after you so maybe consider taking some action in that respect.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

They don't inspire confidence Bob at all, the hospital didn't seem concerned about my BP when they sent me home with Afib 5 weeks ago , I've checked it with cuff at home and its down to 138/92, and I'm wound up as I told her, since the hospital fiasco anytime I get near a treatment room I'm anxious and sure I drive my BP up. I'm going to do my daily walk later see how I feel anyway, I felt better this past few weeks just headaches, but I put that down to the 2.5mg bisoprolol.

[JaneFinn]

Oh I’m so sorry I feel for you so much. What an unsympathetic, unhelpful response you’re getting. To be honest, being told it’s your “call, you will just have a heart attack or stroke" is shocking. Sounds like she is effectively scaring you into increasing the bisoprolol that has given you bad effects and without giving you space to explore and discuss alternatives. Was it the nurse? Or the Dr? I’m assuming you mean this was at the GP surgery, not Hospital? I’d be tempted to book to see a good Dr in your practice and ensure they give you time and attention to discuss the issues and alternatives for reducing the BP. I think you’ve been very unlucky indeed and hopefully they will try to understand and help next time. If not, then could you contact your EP/cardiologist and explain? As Bob says, getting a good team around you who you trust is important.

It’s great that you have been doing so well with gentle exercise and feeling like you’re on the right track. Well done! Please don’t let this rubbish and the fear of the raised BP cast you down too much - you’ve made massive progress. The switch to persistent AF (I understand) can be very difficult and take a while for body and medication to be adjusted to the new situation. I’m no doctor, but 151/91 in an appt does not sound very high to me. Obviously you don’t want it to stay there forever, but I’ve often had much higher than that reading at an appt, and I think I’ve rarely had lower. (This is when I’m in normal sinus rhythm.) And the dr recognises it’s probably partly white coat syndrome and it doesn’t worry him so long as I get some lower readings at home. When I’ve been in PAF, my BP has been off the scale high - a level that absolutely could not be sustained for days (eg 124/225) but thankfully I’ve self converted in hours. Even so, the cardiologist told me not to even take my BP when in AF - and not to let A&E staff take it using the electronic cuff - because as Bob says, it doesnt tend to get an accurate reading when in AF. So, like him, I’d suggest you ask your GP surgery to monitor your BP the old fashioned way.

Take care - and keep your chin up. You’re doing so well. Do let us know how you get on xx

[Hidden in reply to JaneFinn]

Your right in so much of your answer I'm a little angry at the way it went yesterday. It was the nurse who checked it while taking bloods, I do suffer abit white coat syndrome especially after the worry I had with the virus and various hospital admissions 5 weeks ago. She went to a doctor in surgery then wandered back with a he said you need icrease your losartin to 100mg from 50mg, and bisoprolol from 2.5 to 5 with a prescription. I argued that I had take. It at home the day before after exercise and it was 143/94, she said well its still high, couldn't get the cuff on properly and didn't seem frankly clued up as I did say if I was in Afib then it was hard to get an accurate machine BP reading, she said they just use cuffs now even though I'm 6ft3 and the cuff fits badly it didn't matter. I'm Going to ask to see a doctor today see what they say. Ian

[JaneFinn in reply to Hidden]

Gah so frustrating. Really hope you get a helpful doctor - do let us know the outcome

[Hidden]

Try asking for a swop from Bisoprolol to Nebivolol, much more user friendly.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

It doesn't seem to be helping my BP anyway thigh I haven't had any tachycardia since I've been on it just these headaches

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I have Felodipine for BP

[junarbolado]

Had my BP readings high (up to 145/95) the past couple of weeks. I started drinking a cup of Ginger tea from grated fresh root, mixed with orange and honey before sleeping. When I woke up and checked my BP it lowered down up to 112/77.