Can Ramipril Be Harmful?

[LiziJ]

Hi, I have been prescribed Ramipril because it is being presumed I had a heart attack. I don't think I did. I think I had an acute cardiac event without heart pathology due to shock and hypothermia. My question is that if I do not have high or low blood pressure can taking this drug be harmful?

[Desanthony]

What is your blood pressure? Do you check it regularly? Was your blood pressure taken at the time of diagnosis and prescribing Ramipril?

[LiziJ in reply to Desanthony]

Yes, lots of blood pressure checking. Was in hospital for 5 days and I have a blood pressure monitor here at home. Typically my blood pressure is around 130/80 which is I understand normal for my age (63 next month)

[Desanthony in reply to LiziJ]

That’s pretty good. Is that the typical reading before or after you started Ramipril? I would ask your GP to clarify all this or go back to your consultant at the hospital.

[LiziJ in reply to Desanthony]

Before. I did go back to GP. Prescribed by cardiologist and being recommended to continue as a preventative measure in case of heart attack but I am concerned that if I don't need the drug to manage blood pressure what else it does in my body. I am waiting tests after elevated troponin after a traumatic event(troponin now back to normal levels) but it seems a short-term acute response to what happened (shock. trauma) - fell in a bog of manure while out walking, got hypothermia and had to be rescued!

[Desanthony in reply to LiziJ]

What a trauma! Personally I would ask the cardiologist about this and on my opinion would continue to take it as whatever side effects you get will be better than actually suffering a heart attack and the possible effects from that. I presume that once all tests have been completed the prescription will be re-evaluated . Hopefully this won’t take too long and within a few months you should be sorted out . In the meantime you may want to talk to your pharmacist about the effects of Ramipril. My Dad was on this for up to 30 years and never had any problems and he too was prescribed it because he had a suspected heart attack whilst on a caravan touring holiday in France in the late 70’s or 80’s I think - could have been later As far as I know he was taking it right up until he died aged 89 in 2009 and never had any heart problems after he started taking Ramipril. The worst part of that whole incident where he collapse driving the car and caravan around the Arc de Triomphe was that my Mum had to continue driving she hated driving and I imagine all the other drivers also hated her driving🤣

[LiziJ in reply to Desanthony]

That is interesting to know. Thanks. Glad to know that your dad managed perfectly well with Ramipril and I find that personally very reassuring. I have spoken to my GP today and she recommends continuing with my medication (Ramipril and some others) and this is also what the cardiologist said when I was discharged from hospital last Thursday but I prefer not to take medication if it can be avoided. Apparently, though, this is the safest thing to do until I have had the rest of my tests. Thanks for your help.

[Ronnieboy]

I was prescribed ramipril for high blood pressure,I was on the drug for years without any side effects,however, I found my blood pressure was normal or lowish so I couldn't see any point in taking it,so I reduced the amount of ramipril and the stopped it,I check the blood pressure regularly and it doesn't seem to change much, this is,I must add, after I've lost a lot of weight in the last 2 to 3 years,we are all different ,but my BP is normal probably because of the weight loss.

[LiziJ in reply to Ronnieboy]

Yes I am going to focus on weight loss too.

[PICCASO]

Made my tinnitus even worse as its one of the side effects, do a Google of the study from America, they took me off it and I ended up with candeasrin , Amias, good luck

[Cha275rL]

My husband had a heart attack six years ago, and was prescribed ramipril after it. He didn’t have high BP, but has no side effects, and is happy to take it if it prevents another heart attack. Good luck .

[Ppiman]

Drugs like ramipril and losartan have been shown to have important long term cardioprotective effects by preventing the eventual weakening of the left ventricle (the main pumping chamber of the heart). This effect occurs regardless of reduction on blood pressure. I have been given losartan for this reason, even though my heart is structurally fine, and I don't have high blood pressure. My cardiologist told me that with the conduction issues I have, he believes it would be very worthwhile.

Steve

[Tricia7048]

I had an odd reaction to Ramipril. It gave me bad angina. I couldnt even make my bed without sitting down 3 times!!.when i had pneumonia and couldnt take it, I noticed complete change for the better and doc took me off it. (I had never had pneumonia before or since either!) Wishing you all the best.

[ATSF]

Yes, it has destroyed my health, but I believe it is very rare. I’m now in serious problems with my kidneys that are slowly getting worse. If you show the signs of getting rashes stop taking it and consult your GP, I didn’t and my renal consultant told me if I had continued with it it would have killed me. This was confirmed by my Dermatologist consultant at the time.

[john-boy-92]

Troponin levels for women are lower than for men, which is why historically women haven't been flagged as having a heart attack. As you know, troponin checks for the enzyme released by damage to the heart; typically a heart attack. A heart attack is not necessarily related to blood pressure. Two points: your cardiologist should explain the raised troponin result and, why do you think you didn't have a heart attack?

I've been taking Ramipril for about a year, after a different GP double the dose of amlopidine that caused my feet and ankles to swell.

[LiziJ in reply to john-boy-92]

I don't think I had a heart attack because so far there is no corroborating evidence - heart rate, blood pressure, ECH and angiogram were all normal - and because the raised troponin can be explained by a combination of shock/trauma and hypothermia which were brief and there has been a natural resetting of my heart and troponin. Doctors (cardiologists) also accept this possibility but are reserving judgement until after the echocardiogram and Cardiac MRI. It is interesting to read what you say though about the different troponin levels for men and women.

[Buffafly in reply to LiziJ]

I had raised troponin levels during an episode of AF and tachycardia, diagnosed as coronary artery spasm as my main arteries were clear, however as continuously raised troponin levels are sign of damage to the heart muscle the effect is of a MI so the medication should support your heart whatever the cause. It seems you may not have had a ‘traditional’ heart attack but the end result may have been the same, hopefully tests will show that minimal damage was done ❤️‍🩹