Swollen, bleeding gums on Amlodipine 5mg

[Casper438]

Hi All

I was given a diagnosis of Coronary Artery Spasm at age 38 in 2019. This diagnosis came from a process of elimination as my Echo, Angiogram and Exercise tolerance test were all normal, only my ECG was abnormal. I was having intermittent neck and jaw pain on my left side and sometimes in my chest. This was rarely caused by exercise but more often when sitting watching TV or when in my bed. I am not overweight, a non smoker, do not have high blood pressure or high cholesterol and therefore cardiologist gave me coronary artery spasm diagnosis. I was scheduled for a nuclear scan but this was cancelled due to pandemic and my cardiologist called instead to say he didn’t feel it was necessary and as no pain for 2 months try stopping my Amlodipine 5mg which I had been commenced on. 3 months I had no pain then suddenly went through a stressful period and pains returned. I therefore went back on my Amlodipine 5mg.

I have now had to go to dentist with swollen gums and she said I now have gum disease and to request a change of medication as I had not had these problems before. I don’t think I am with cardiology anymore, they seem to have sent me on my way last August. I have stopped taking the Amlodipine as of this morning to see how things go but wondered if anyone else had gum overgrowth or swelling with Amlodipine and if there is an alternative to manage Coronary Artery Spasm.

Any advice would be very much appreciated

[Chappychap]

I'm not saying that your medication isn't causing gum problems, I don't take Alodipine so I really don't have a clue what its side effects might be. But the link between gum disease and heart problems is very well known, here's an NHS article that underlines the connection.

nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-bo...

Furthermore, the evidence seems to be that these two conditions feed off each other, gum disease can cause heart problems, and heart problems can cause gum disease.

Bottom line is that most of us on this forum should be upping our dental hygiene, daily flossing, extended brushing at least twice a day, regular dentist visits, cutting out sugary snacks, etc.

Good luck!

[AliceAnnie]

Sorry I can't comment on your medication but I had to stop taking Felopadine for high blood pressure because my ankles and gums became very swollen, then the gums started bleeding despite vigilant dental care. Once I had changed medication all returned to normal!

I wish you luck and do hope you find another type of medication.

[Casper438 in reply to AliceAnnie]

Thank you AliceAnnie, that’s very reassuring. I will keep up the meticulous oral hygiene routine and hopefully coming off the Amlodipine will help me too.

[arTistapple]

Oh crikey Caspar. I have gone through all this for the last forty years. Whilst I am glad to finally make contact with fellow sufferers (I was assured back in the day it was extremely rare) it is very annoying that this condition and it’s treatment has moved on so very little. Hopefully you will see some replies I have made to others. This condition can be related to hypothyroidism. Just check out your/the symptoms. I am sure you will find yours. There is a definite connection to hypothyroidism (known as the hidden disease) for some people eg HBP is a known marker, as is, chronic kidney failure, blood sugar problems, depression, anxiety, sleepiness/sleeplessness. Amlodipine (the only HBP medication I seem to be able to tolerate definitely has the overgrowth of gums. I asked my dentist about it (as I have that too) but no dice but Google it and you will find the connection.