High BP and Covid

[RabbitMum_1965]

New info re hbp from last week that says patients with hbp who catch Covid are more likely to develop complications - should we be self isolating? My bp fluctuates wildly over a 24 hour period.

[mauschen]

High blood pressure is the basis for my many co morbidities. I am not waiting for any government guidance, I am actively self isolating as much as possible. Trips to the physiotherapists and supermarket are essential for me but I take hygiene measures very seriously and avoid all unnecessary human contact.

This virus is a killer and people like us are at high risk even when the R0 value drops below 1... look after yourself!

My BP also fluctuates significantly but the recent addition of a small dose of betablocker to my ARB and diuretic seems to be making a big difference. The only drawback is that my diastolic BP is under 60 mmHg.

[RabbitMum_1965 in reply to mauschen]

Hi mauschen, I had a long chat wit my GP. Amlodipine 5mg one every other day reduced my bp ++. When I stoped it, it went to 175/100 levels but dropped at night. I'm now on Ramipril 1.25mg but don't think this is working. GP gave me a sickline to cover days we work around the best med for me. I've a small brain aneurysm.

[mauschen in reply to RabbitMum_1965]

That’s a very small dose of Ramipril, is there a particular reason for this? Perhaps the doctor is carefully titrating the dose upwards. Have another chat and let her know that the small dose of Ramipril is not stabilising your BP. When you change or introduce a new medication, it can take 6 weeks to see the true results nevertheless, that does not mean that you sit around with BP of 175/100 for that length of time.

[lettingoffsteam]

I recently discussed this with my GP who said if your blood pressure is well controlled then your risk is only slightly elevated.Luckily mine is now well controlled even though when I was diagnosed in March last year it was totally wild.So, for me, my GP says follow the guidelines same as everyone else but follow them carefully.

[Buttonphobic]

My GP has said my risk of complications is higher than those without hypertension but that I need take no extra precautions beyond what is normal at the moment. Trouble is I’m going back to working in a school in classes of 14 for an hour a time. Not sure that’s normal at the current time?

[RabbitMum_1965 in reply to Buttonphobic]

Yes that's worrying - a room full of kids, some who may think it's funny to cough without covering their mouths. I wish they'd give better advice. They say that we're at risk of 'higher' complications so maybe they should add us on the shielding list. Can you ask for a sickline?

[Buttonphobic in reply to RabbitMum_1965]

Been told I either go in or get a sick note. They’ve said I could have an occupational health assessment. Will know more when I pop in for a chat later this week. But I fear the assessment May come some time after I’ve been in lessons. I’ve got extra Covid risks, man in my 50s with PTSD. Told them I think the combination makes me at quite a high risk and was hoping would be able to carry on working from home until more is known about hypertension and Covid. But alas I was given the ultimatum!!