ramapril

[Shoshov]

well just had ramapril reduced from 2.5 to 1.5 to try combat low bp and dizziness. does anyone know what else it does apart from lowering bp. i’m at a loss why they don’t just stop lt unless it has other benefits. thanks❤️shiona

[Snowdrops_17]

I take 2.5 mg Ramipril, but in the evening!!! It doesn't make me dizzy. I have a look when i get home from work!!😊

[Shoshov]

thank you❤️

[Zena166]

Hi Shiona. I was put on Lisinopril (similar to Ramipril) not because I have or ever had high BP but as the doctor explained that I have a 90% blockage in one of the smaller vessels and 70% in the 2 larger vessels and this drug helps to ‘widen’ the arteries to help blood flow as well as making the vessels more flexible - if that makes sense! It did to me at the time!! The low BP is a side effect for me and not the primary reason (I’m paraphrasing here!). Here is the link to the BHF site. Hope it’s helpful

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Take care. Zena

[Shoshov in reply to Zena166]

thanks zena thought there had to be a reason. i just couldn’t find anything that made sense to me. but that’s nothing new🤣

[KEN65 in reply to Shoshov]

Totally agree Zena as I am better on Lisinopril and felt very fatigued on Ramipril so gets my vote, If you dont mind me asking but why have you not had stents or a by pass, I had a HA and a CA with 55% / 75% blockage, hope you dont go to the gym !

[Zena166 in reply to KEN65]

Hi Ken. I had the LAD stented but the small 90% one they felt other vessels would find a way round. The other 2 main blockages are where the 2 vessels split in 2 so nothing for the stent to grab hold of. They felt with medication lifestyle changes and exercise (yes I go to circuits 3 times a week!) that it was best to monitor as scans show good flow. Time will tell!! It was all sorted at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle so I trust them

Hence the Lisinopril for widening and relaxing the blocked arteries. Cheers Zena

[not2worry in reply to Zena166]

Zena thanks for the link! My husband had a HA 20 years ago and his BP with an ACE inhibitor together with lifestyle changes his BP has stabilized within the acceptable range. His dosage was cut in half 3 years ago and he continued to have great readings. When asked if he could just eliminate the med the Cariologist said no because the medication has the additional benefits you noted. Widening the vessels to allow the blood to flow more easily means more oxygen to every organ in our body including the largest organ the skin and one of the most important other than the heart is the brain. Interestingly enough, if I think about it, one of the first signs my husband experienced when he had his heart attack was very pale skin, moist skin and cold hands. The heart had stopped delivering blood to his skin by sending the blood to more vital organs. He had just finished a walk up hill in pretty warm weather. It’s one reasons those that have CVD should avoid strenuous activity outdoors when hot (above 70F) and humid. With damaged hearts it’s just physically impossible for our hearts to compensate.

Over the past 20 years we have learned much more than we ever thought we would about heart disease and this Forum is not only a great support platform but a wonderful source of knowledge.

Yours From Across The Pond

[Zena166 in reply to not2worry]

Hope all is well with you and your husband now. Yes our medication is essential but as you say we know so much more today than we did years ago. Do take care of yourself as this all has a toll on carers as well. Best wishes. Zena x

[Hidden]

Hi Shiona. It is an ACE Inhibitor (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor). Apart from the lowering of BP, it makes your Blood Vessels relax and widen making it easier for your Heart to pump blood around the body, reduces risk of having a Heart Attack/Stroke, also used as a Treatment following a Heart Attack (myocardial infarction) complicated with Heart Failure. NB: I only know that lot because I have just read the Leaflet in mine lol! I'm on 10mg (1 per day). PS: I just take mine and hope for the best

[Shoshov in reply to Hidden]

thanks greenlady. iv just read the link zena put on and you go to top of the class. makes me wonder though how effective 1.5 mg will be. time will tell i suppose ❤️shiona

[Hidden in reply to Shoshov]

You are very welcome. They must be doing their Job with me at least because I haven't had a Heart Attack yet. Fingers crossed!!! Like you say, see how you go. Take Care x

[Shoshov]

🤣🤣was she good looking❤️

[Shoshov]

🤣🤣

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

ACE inhibitors help the lining of the blood vessels to work properly. Controlling blood pressure, clot formation and blood flow.

The poor old endothelium so often overlooked and ignored.

I didn't realise just how important it is until mine started misbehaving.

[Shoshov]

thanks for that. makes me wonder why i wasn’t put on any of these drugs after HA last year. only statin and aspirin. wonder if that’s the reason for restenosis ❤️

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Shoshov]

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors eg Ramipril

Anti-platelets eg clopidogrel

Beta blockers

Statins

These 4 drugs are recommended by NICE as standard treatment following a heart attack.

Prof Chris Gale research would suggest the reason you may not have been prescribed the medication may have been because you are a woman.

bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/news-...

[Shoshov in reply to Milkfairy]

was on clopidrogel for 6 months an aspirin and 40mg atorovastatin. i’ll certainly be discussing it at appointment next week with the rehab team. thanks for that milkfairy❤️shiona

[Caitlyn6]

Ace inhibitors protect kidneys

[Shoshov in reply to Caitlyn6]

no ace inhibitors ❤️

[Ianc2]

I take Ramipril and I have just been informed by my cardiologist that I need to drink at least 1 litre of water during the day, in addition to my normal fluid intake. If you are getting dizzy you may not have enough fluid in your system?

[Shoshov in reply to Ianc2]

fluids not a problem. urologist always saying i drink too much. you can’t win❤️

[Snowdrops_17]

Glad we havent lost our sense of humour. You guys made my day. Thanks 🤣😂🤣

[Janeylane]

Hi, I was on 1.25 twice a day and they increased my evening one to 2.5. Within a couple of days I was dropping to my knees after getting out of bed. I reduced back to 1.25 and the cardiologist decided to change my bisoprilol 🤷‍♀️. I’ve had a terrible dry cough since starting ramipril. No idea why they haven’t changed me onto another option but will be asking my nurse next week.

[Ianc2 in reply to Janeylane]

One of the side effects of rampiril is to drop your blood pressure. It was suggested to me that a large glass of water on rising will increase your blood volume, making it less likely for you to have problems on rising. I was also told to make sure I drank plenty of water, in addition to my normal fluids, to make sure blood volumes are maintained and it was suggested an extra 3 pints, per day, should be about right

I was also told to maintain normal salt levels, as against low salt, and it was suggested that I take my pills at about 7 pm, to enable the body to process the drug overnight. It takes about 12/13 hours to pass through your body, so any side effects may occur while you sleep.

[Symba in reply to Janeylane]

Think your find the cough will go,its normally as you put the table in your mouth.

[Craneman in reply to Janeylane]

Ask for Candastartan stops the cough but makes your nose run more.

[Casper020918 in reply to Craneman]

Been on candesartan for years, but no runny nose. Did have the cough with ramipril and had to stop. It is one of the side effects.

[Craneman]

Can cause coughing, nasal sores,and runny nose,

Just changed to Candastartan, coughing stopped but nose is running heavier, nasal sore not so bad but nasal sores can also be contributed to Bisoprolol.

[Hidden]

Hi iv just been put on extra tabs as I had a silent heart attack

Stents put in and cardiologist tested pumping of heart said good strong.

Hospital gave bisporol.

Beta blocker and candesatan.

Ace in same a yr ramapril cough

Funny voice sleepless

B blocker makes breaths more shallow

I'm going back to gp to go back on my calcium channel blocker

I took ramapril 2 days no sleep

[Sillyfroggy]

My doc says this group of drugs are very important in protecting the heart from damage, so presumably in the event that you have another HA, you will hopefully do better.

[Casper020918]

You were obviously prescribed it because your blood pressure was too high. Sometimes they just have to adjust the dose to get it right for you. I could not take it due to a persistent cough.

[Shoshov in reply to Casper020918]

that’s the thing it wasn’t. it was during stress test but it’s not normally high. averaging 116/68

[Bradshaw278]

I was put on Rampril after a higher reading on the Treponin test which, by modern definitions revealed that I had had a heart attack despite having had a stent fitted the week before. It lowered my blood pressure along with the other medication. It can cause a cough. I took 2.5 at night and could not sleep. I received a press ganging of doctors in hospital when I refused to carry on taking it but since then another consultant stopped it . A senior consultant told me that all the heart consultants take it with statins to preserve life. A study in America over a ten year period of two groups , one taking it and the other not, resulted in longer life for the group who took it. As a result many heart consultants prescribe it as something to prolong life, even if you are not under treatment. It is good for the functioning of the heart. My heart is fine, it is my arteries which are the problem. I might consider taking it again if other medication is reduced.

[Barbieb]

It can affect your kidneys. I have just had mine stopped as my kidney function is dropping.

[Grantdargie]

Hi, I have been given Ramipril after a heart attack 2 weeks ago and was told that it and a couple of other drugs are given to help strengthen my L side of heart because attack put me into the heart failure range

[Ianc2]

If you don't have high blood pressure Rampiril can be directly involved in sudden drops in blood pressure and dizziness, with a possibility of fainting, leaving you with a conflicting set of advice.

Either Drop the rampiril and lose all its protective benefits, including protection against stroke, drink water and make sure you don't follow a low salt diet to maintain blood volume and pressure - but - no dizziness or fainting.

Or take the rampiril at night (about 7 pm) to keep the benefits, drink lots of water and be careful to take a normal salt intake. The aim is to keep blood volumes up so that sudden drops in blood pressure are less likely to take place, and you don't fall down, which is important if you are elderly.