Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Prediabetes,ramipril.

[Dad_of_4]

Hi, I'm an occasional visitor/contributor to the site and just wondering your thoughts on the following.

I was diagnosed with HCM more than10 years ago, I'm now approaching 60, I've been on ramipril 10mg, bisoprolol and a few other meds without any problems in that time. About 4 years ago I was told at my yearly medical that I was pre diabetic, I'm afraid to say I didnt need the warning and the following year I was told again that I was pre diabetic and was only one point from being classed as diabetic. I made an effort and lost 3 stone in weight but with covid my Dr's are not doing the medicals anymore so I don't know how I'm doing regarding the prediabetes score.

The problem I was having though, after losing the weight, was very irregular dizzy spells when standing up. Doc. Google suggests postural hypertension or hypotension (I get mixed up). Managed to see my Dr who after checking I had lost the weight I had told himabout, reduced the ramipril to 5mg. It made a big difference but recently (6 months later) the dizzy spells have started to return.

Has anyone had similar experiences?

[PV74]

Hi there. My GP also was doing no in person visits until early 2021, but I have been a few times this year for ECG, blood tests etc. If I were you I would ask that they do the relevant blood tests (I think the diabetes scores are from hba1c blood tests) and I think it’s worth knowing your Blood pressure and heart rate, which either the GP can take or you can buy a decent blood pressure monitor online for reasonable price and take it yourself at home say once a week. For me, dizziness was from bisoprolol dosage which slightly too high and causing my heart rate to fall below 50.

But I think pushing your GP to do/arrange the blood tests and BP/HR measurements is important. At least that is what I would push for. All the best

[Dad_of_4 in reply to PV74]

Thanks for the reply, the diabetes score was from blood tests. I do keep a check on my blood pressure and heart rate anyway, my bisoprolol dose was 3.25mg as my heart rate had dropped, I did have a few problems early on and they changed the dose to 1.25mg. I did have an episode 2 years ago and had a heart monitor implant fitted, so the hospital keep a check on it as well.

[RegularWalker in reply to PV74]

I was made to take Bisoprolol after my HA in 2017. The instructions with it say Don't take it if your pulse is less than 60. Mine's always been less than 60 at rest and was in the 40's with the minimum dose of 1.25mg, but it took 3 years to get a doctor to let me stop taking it. Now it's back in the 50's. No dizziness but I did have an hour when I couldn't think clearly or speak clearly. I was investigated for a possible TIA but it was negative and I think it was the Bisoprolol that caused it. I have a blood pressure monitor and recommend you get a blood sugar monitor.

[Dad_of_4 in reply to RegularWalker]

When I first went on the meds they upped the dose gradually, when the bisoprolol got upto 3.25mg my pulse was down to 57. I had breathing difficulties on exertion, they dropped the bisoprolol to 1.25 and that issue was resolved.

[Qualipop]

I've had several blood tests this year, one lot done by a nurse,t he other in person by a GP and another set at the hospital so they definitely are doing tests. You should insist on he diabetes test at the very least. I had my annual tests re heart meds although they forgot to do the cholesterol test.

[Dad_of_4 in reply to Qualipop]

Thanks for the reply, I think some GP and hospitals are getting the tests done better than others.