Best medication for high blood pressure

Hi. I’m having problems with increased high blood pressure. Following STEMI end of last year and other issues since was put on low dose 1.25 mg Ramipril and later Amlodopine as well. Had to stop amlodopine about 7 weeks ago due to swollen ankles. Blood pressure now regularly high (averaging around 175/100). Cardiologist has said I need to increase Ramipril to 10mg. I have great difficulty sleeping already and am concerned this will make it worse. Any advice please?

[Hidden]

The best one is the one that works for you! Speak to your Cardiologist and see what they suggest.

I tried 5 different BP meds before I found one that didn’t give me any significant side effects.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Yes you’re right I do need to find the one that’s right for me - everyone is different. I’ll try speaking to GP. I was a bit surprised when cardiologist said I needed to go up to maximum dose. I’ve had bad reactions to various meds and don’t fancy anymore - but then I don’t want another HA or stroke either. Thanks. Your reply is appreciated and made me reflect more

[Chappychap]

I've brought my blood pressure right down, and kept it down, with a combination of medication and life style changes. Reducing salt in my diet plus regular exercise plus diet/weight loss contributed as much, if not more, than medication.

I guess what I'm saying is that even though your medication is very, very important, it's not the only tool you have at your disposal when it comes to managing blood pressure.

Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to Chappychap]

Thank you. Yes I’ve tried hard with exercise - walking around 5km at least a day (not much but more than I did before HA) and at least 10000 steps if I’m feeling ok. Diet is still something that needs my attention but giving up smoking last year means I often fancy a snack. I’m around 8 and a half stone but that’s over a stone more than I was at time of heart attack! I’m only 5 foot tall so it doesn’t sit well. Thanks again. Good advice

[Mentdent]

Sometimes we have to put up with side effects because the alternatives are worse.

[Hidden in reply to Mentdent]

Yes. On reflecting about things I came to same conclusion. Thank you. On the positive side at least there is medication 👍

[DaveSpice]

Do some research on how you can reduce your BP using diet, psychology and excercise, there is a lot of stuff out there. They take a little effort but rewards are there, it took a year to solve my problems (different ones) and I feel much better now. It has helped me understand my body too.

[Hidden in reply to DaveSpice]

Thank you for that advice. It’s good to hear you’ve found ways to help your problems this way and everything is worth trying ! I think I do need to work on my psychological approach to things as well. Cardiologist has already expressed concern about mr getting too stressed. I’ve made enquiries about local yoga sessions and await reply Thanks again. I definitely need to look at diet again too

[DaveSpice in reply to Hidden]

Yes stress is something you need to manage as a matter of priority, this guy is great at explaining our stress problems. I even made a reminder sheet I have on the wall. youtube.com/watch?v=JiDaTi_...(Not working as expected?)

[Hidden in reply to DaveSpice]

Thank you so much for the link. I will have a look

[PecanSandie]

I have been doing yoga since 2002 and although it helps to a certain extent, it will not bring down blood pressure that's as high as yours is (mine was there too so I know). Sometimes people have to take more than 1 or 2 medications to bring it down. If you don't bring it down it will affect other organs (like kidneys). I went from 'I only want natural methods to control blood pressure" to "bring on the drugs" after realizing how damaging high blood pressure can be.

Finding the correct combination of medications is an art. Sometimes it takes some experimentation to get to the correct combination. There are so many different kinds and combinations of drugs and you need a doctor who is willing and patient to find that right combination for you. And if you feel the combination isn't right, there are different medications that you can be prescribed until you find the right one.

I take Amlodipine too and also Metoprolol. I am on 10mg of Amlodipine a day which is the maximum dose they can give you. My ankles do swell a bit in the afternoon but this has actually gotten a bit better. I also take a water pill three times a week to help with this. However, my blood pressure is totally controlled. It still goes up at the doctors office but within normal ranges.

[Hidden]

Thank you for your response and I really appreciate the things you mention. A lot of info relevant to my situation which helps. So thanks again. I think you and the others who have responded have made me really think about my approach to this current issue in a more positive and proactive way. Think that because of my sleep problems and vivid dreams/nightmares when I do sleep I am dreading changing meds again. Need to see it as a positive move to remedy blood pressure and as you point out possible kidney issues if I don’t control it. Thanks again. It has helped me to be able to talk this through with others

[DaveSpice in reply to Hidden]

Take a look at Dr.Gupta's youtube vids on blood pressure, where he describes it as just a number and that worry about it will cause it to rise. The opposite happens with relaxation. Over the years I have learned what is not wrong with me and that helps me a lot.

[Hidden]

Hi Luisbrady, I started my BP journey in July with BP of 220/110. Taken some time with meds and changes in doses but have steadily seen my readings drop. I now take 10 mg of Ramipril and 5 mg of Amlodipine together with 5 mg of Bisoprolol (mainly for anxiety - but does work wonders for HBP) and now average 117/75. I have no side effects and sleep well. I did seem to have the Ramipril cough for a few weeks but persevered and it stopped after around 8 weeks. I also set myself a walking target and lost over a stone in weight. This all helped. Hope you get sorted but one thing I found was that Ramipril was extremely effective, but it is a little trial and error with all BP meds. Good luck and my best wishes to you.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your response. It is encouraging to see you manage the 10mg Ramipril - except the initial cough ( my husband might not tolerate 8 weeks of coughing though !😜). I was on the other two meds you mentioned as well but they stopped both for different reasons. I take other heart meds so maybe they don’t interact well. Pleased you have it under control now. I’m trying to be more positive about the new meds now - got to try obviously and the various bits of advice and experiences have made me feel better. Thanks again