Hypertensive Crisis

[Kal40]

Hi folks

Just discovered this forum - so first of all hello everyone.

I had a heart attack six weeks ago due to a hypertensive crisis coming out of the blue. As you can imagine it rocked my world. I was working on my ideal job overseas so being hospitalised suddenly in a country where I don't speak the language and being away from family and friends was quite daunting.

The hospital looked after me very well and I was kept in for seven days, well cared for and tested well (angiogram, echo etc). Obviously on release from hospital I returned back to the UK but had to go private as the consultant at the local cardiac unit couldn't see me for 3 months. Being only 50 and in full time employment, I couldn't stay off for that long. In addition I needed answers as I was pretty worried.

I have been put on to some serious medication and am told I will likely be on these drugs for life.

Has anyone else had a hypertensive crisis and been hospitalised. I suppose I am hoping to compare notes and perhaps get some feedback regarding side effects from the drug.

Thanks in advance for reading all this!

[Urssy]

Hi. Welcome

[Kal40 in reply to Urssy]

Thank you.

[Clerkenweller]

Hi. What drugs are you on and were any stents fitted?

[Kal40 in reply to Clerkenweller]

Hi. No I didn't have a stent fitted. I only have a slight narrowing on one artery and the blood flow pressure is normal through it so there is no further action there at the moment.

I am on Ramipril, Amlodipine, indapamide, bisoprol and atovstatin. I have been on all of these since the HA but over the past 2 weeks my ankles and feet are swelling so I emailed my consultant. He says its the Amlodipine. Has anyone else had this problem and can it improve? I'm only 50 and feel like I am starting to look like an old woman

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Kal40]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Indapamide is a diuretic which to some degree counteracts the odema causes in some people by the Amlodipine. I had this combination but was changed to another BP medication - an ACE inhibitor. You need the ongoing conversation with your GP.

Did they find the reason for the hypertensive episode? Sometimes it is caused by untreated hypertension. Another cause can be an allergic reaction - usually to a drug. Good luck.

[Kal40 in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply and the welcome. I did speak to my consultant back in the UK and he suggested trying a drug called Felodipine but when I looked at the side effects for that, swollen ankles is also listed. The problem is that I am working overseas until December so changing meds needs a little planning as I'm not sure how I would go about getting a prescription over here. I plan to fly back in a couple of weeks if this doesn't settle and get a new prescription for felodipine. I will just see how it goes. It worries me a little about getting the balance of my drug right. My Dad has AF and HF and I know how delicate the balance can be.

They don't seem to have found a reason for the hypertensive ep. I had my MOT in early March before I left the UK and it was all normal (BP bloods etc) except a vitamin B12 deficiency. I'm now getting injections for them. I guess I am just one of those people who has the odd problem from nowhere. I had a burst brain aneurysm 6 years ago and survived brain surgery. I do think I am lucky though rather than unlucky.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Kal40]

Unfortunately Felodipine is the same class of drug as Amlodapine, i.e. a CCI (calcium channel blocker). I have had issues with two of them in the run up to my bypass - I do not take any CCIs now. Finding the correct drug balance is a nightmare as we are all different with different conditions. Have you considered a private consultation with a cardiologist when back in the UK. I found it quite beneficial in the early part of my cardiac journey. Initial consultations are around £200 - £250. Could be worth thinking about.

[Kal40 in reply to MichaelJH]

I did actually go private. My company sent me home to recover and seek treatment but the NHS could not see me until July. I needed answers about my health plus I wanted to go back to work so I went private. It was a good choice to be honest. Not only did I get to see him quicker but I also had another echo, more bloods and a kidney/liver/spleen/pancreas scan within a week. I emailed him this week about the swelling and he suggested Felodipine. I did think that a little strange when I read the PIL. I am concerned about swapping drugs when I am so far away from home. Perhaps this is a "stick it out" situation until I return to the UK in December.

[Clerkenweller in reply to Kal40]

You’re getting good advice from others. The drug balance is tricky and takes time. It sounds like the HA should be a wake up call. Need to think about the stress you’re subjecting yourself to and lifestyle. Review your diet and start exercising. Good luck.

[Kal40 in reply to Clerkenweller]

It certainly was. I think carefully about everything I do now. I probably did come back to work a little quick but if they push me too much - I'm off. Nothing comes before my health.

[Kal40]

I'm struggling to live healthily at the moment to be honest. I do quite a stressful job (which I love) but I am living in a hotel until my apartment is ready next week (just arrived back in Croatia to work and my replacement has my flat).