How long does it take for the Amlodip... - British Heart Fou...

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How long does it take for the Amlodipine to settle Blood Pressure?

Vic-Amlodipine-Knee profile image

I posted something a couple of weeks ago and buried in the text was a question that I think I’m finding the answer to myself:

How long does it take for the Amlodipine to settle BP and steady Palpitations or is this fluttering, anxious feeling going to remain? And I have found a good link specific to my drug:

nhs.uk/medicines/amlodipine/

I have been keeping a record of my daily BP and I am in my fourth week but I started on Beater Blockers for Anxiety and very high BP. My findings are that it takes three weeks to achieve the downward trend taking Amlodipine and in that time, my BP has gone up and down like a Yo-Yo but in safer limits 150 to 120. I did find it mildly depressing when my BP stayed at the 150 to 140 range in the first week and I even found myself getting anxious about taking my BP with the Omron devise. I’ve talked to a surprising number of my friends that have been on CCB’s for years and don’t get headaches and I’m forming the opinion that sitting calmly and squarely in the chair practising mind full, slow, outward breathing is the best thing for me and any fluttering feeling that I’m getting.

Anxiety appears to be a very strange and powerful condition that has to be overcome, as an individual, by your own coping mechanism just as much as the drug. For me practising mind full, slow, outward breathing and posture works and that’s why I’ve said it twice but I wonder whether I will ever come off Amlodipine now and what serious, lifestyle changes I will have to make?

I am struggling with:

One coffee, one Beer and One Wine and I’m never listing to John Lee Hooker again!

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Vic-Amlodipine-Knee
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5 Replies
lettingoffsteam profile image
lettingoffsteam

I've been on amlodipine and ramipril since March.I haven't had any headaches and I think some people take amlodipine for migraine.I have been very anxious though and I have had palpitations and arrhythmia.I finally got referred to a cardiologist who is going to do a 5 day event monitor.He has also prescribed propanolol.It takes a few weeks for medication to take effect.I found taking my bp too often made me more anxious so I just do it a couple of times a week now.As for amlodipine for life...that depends.If your bp isn't too elevated lifestyle changes can help but for most of us we need to stay on the meds but if amlodipine doesn't suit there are plenty of others.Ask your GP.I changed my diet and lost four and a half stone and upped my exercise.I don't smoke or drink anyway.My dose was cut a bit but anxiety keeps the bp up.I'm trying CBT now...hope it will help.Hope things settle for you.

Vic-Amlodipine-Knee profile image
Vic-Amlodipine-Knee in reply to lettingoffsteam

Generally things have settled down for me but my BP is up and down by 20. My anxiety was linked to a chain of events and monitoring my BP didn't help at all but mindful breathing and relaxing did.

Bye for now.

lettingoffsteam profile image
lettingoffsteam in reply to Vic-Amlodipine-Knee

Glad everything is settling now.

Vic-Amlodipine-Knee profile image
Vic-Amlodipine-Knee in reply to lettingoffsteam

Thank you, but it has taken a few weeks - 5 or 6 and I hope things improve for you. Anxiety is a very peculiar disease, illness, condition, state of mind? I have never had it before but sitting in a chair doing nothing and experiencing those fluttering palpitations is something burred in my deep phsyche that will never return!

lettingoffsteam profile image
lettingoffsteam in reply to Vic-Amlodipine-Knee

Ah I wish I could say the same.I've always been an anxious sort but the meds made it worse for a bit.

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