Has anyone suffered from shortness of breath from Ramipril? I have been taking them since my HA in Oct 2020 and stent fitting. However, I thought my shortness ofbreath was due to my heart failure, but I actually saw a cardiologist this week for a follow up who gave me eneplenone (sorry about the spelling) and took my bloods . He then rang with results and told me not to take them and to stop ramipril for 3days then do more bloods due to high potassium. After only 24hrs of stopping the ramipril I felt so much better, I couldnt believe it , even my breathing has improved greatly. My 2nd blood tests were all normal but I refuse to start the ramipril again. Cardiologist registrar said he will advise my gp to keep an eye on my bp and I agreed I will do so at home. He also said he has not heard of SOB as a side effect of Ramipril. So has anyone else had this?
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Gigi1958
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I was on Ramipril for about a year with no problems. But we all react differently. It might be worth asking the cardiologist or GP if there is an alternative, if they consider you need it.
Hi RufusScamp,Thank you for your reply, the cardiologist said he would advise my gp to give me an alternative if and when I need it. But I have been researching herbal meds and I,m thinking of trying some hawthorn extract instead. I ,m really not keen on pharmaceutical drugs , if I can manage without as many as possible and use herbals instead that would make me happy.
Be careful with herbal medicines. Remember, many pharmaceutical drugs are derived from plant materials, but are more carefully checked for purity and strength. I believe that some herbals can react with other drugs.
I was on Ramipril and it did not suite me at all and I did feel it was giving me shortness of breath
I told my Surgeon and Doctor and they just changed it to Candesartan which seems to suite me better as I need a blood pressure med to help keep my BP normal x
I was put on ramipril and beta blockers over 10 years ago. The dosages increased gradually, had blood tests 2 weeks after a dose change, by the heart clinic. I did after sometime suffer from shortness of breath after moderate exercise. This was sorted by a reduction of the beta blocker dose. Still on the meds and doing ok.
No cough, but I have been taking them for 14 months and SOB just got worse and worse until I was asked to stop them, thats when i realised I was better withour them.
SOB is listed as a side effect from all the medicines you normally get after a HA and stent - Bisporol/Ramipril/Ticagrelor/PPI Inhibitor. Am suffering with it myself and trying to figure out if its medication or the heart
I felt so much better after only 24hrs, I got to a point where I was dragging myself up the stairs and thought my days were numbered. 🤭😬 However, since stopping them I feel so much better in every way, only a little shortness of breath, more energy, less aching (even though I have osteoarthritis too) and even my mood is so much better. I will never take them again!
Can I ask what dosage of Ramipril you were taking? I have been on low dosage for one year since STEMI and 2 stents. Cardiologist now wants it increased to highest dose possible because of high blood pressure. I’m nervous as breathlessness returned anyway in last 3 months. Can’t tolerate a lot of meds though😕
Thanks for responding. I was on ticagralor, Bisoprolol, Atorvastatin , amlodopine and Diltiazem but had bad reaction or side effects to all including increased breathlessness abs chest pain - didn’t have either of these before HA. I thought I was tolerating all but the Diltiazem well but blood tests etc showed that was not the case. Hence Clopidogrel, Ramipril, ivabradine ,isosorbide mononitrate etc instead. It is a lottery. But I’m very interested to know about the Ramipril. I hope you continue to improve without them. Thank you
Thank you, I left the hospital with Atorvastatin 80mg daily( which I switched to Rosouvastatin 5mg) Ticagrelor, (which I switched to Clopidogrel) Aspirin 75 mg daily ,bisoprolol 10mg daily ramipril 1.25twice a day and 30mg lansoprazole (which I swiched to 15mg). I felt awful and put it down to HA, I had no follow up for 14months. (Because of the C-19 pandemic🤷🏻♀️) I have spoken with my GP over the phone a few times to sort out the changes. I wish you well too, merry christmas 👍🏻
"I have been researching herbal meds and I,m thinking of trying some hawthorn extract instead. I ,m really not keen on pharmaceutical drugs , if I can manage without as many as possible and use herbals instead that would make me happy."
It's your life and your body, so it's absolutely your choice. But do think carefully about the risks.
After one heart attack the chance of a second increases dramatically, one study claims one in five heart attack victims will be hospitalised with a second within five years. In other words we need all the help we can get, but herbal remedies are not usually supported by scientific research, nor is their purity supervised during manufacturing.
Yes I understand this, I will weigh up the pros and cons. To be honest the pharma meds also have horrendous side effects, have you read the leaflets and patient feedback for some of them? Even the heart meds can have bad side effects for some people. Its not one size fits all is it ? We have to consider the quality of our daily life. I dont see the point in suffering from bad side effects from pharma drugs every day because I might have another HA, 🤷🏻♀️ Which might happen anyway. But I will have to see how I go for a little while. I have the choice of an alternative if I need it. But I will give the hawthorn a try first. Thank you for the info though.
I'm literally just back from hospital after an eccocardiogram and treadmill fitness test because I've been so bad lately with low energy and shortness of breath that has got worse and worse the last several months.My doctor thought I had a murmur at my heart but specialist at hospital couldn't hear or see any problems with heart.Neither my doctor or specialist talked about possible links with Ramipril,I'm on 2.5mg per day for hypertension..now I'm really confused.Was so pleased there's nothing wrong with my heart but now wondering why neither doctor or specialist have thought of side effects of medicine🥺
Hi there, well we are all different. Ramipril is such a commonly used drug that it never entered my head that my shortness of breath was due to them, as I say I only found out because I was told to stop them to check my potassium levels. When I researched the side effects ,I mainly found complaints about the cough. It mightbe worth having a word with your GP to see if you could stop them for a few days to see if you improve, then if you do ask for an alternative. 👍🏻
Hi Gigi1958 - new to this forum so only just saw your post. Yes I had breathlessness and chest pains with Ramipril, and a cough that had me doubled over hacking every 20 minutes night and day. Cardiology nurse identified it as ramipril side effect - not sure GPs see it often enough? Switched to amlodipine and now fine. Hope you're doing well
. Yes I am doing very well thank you. My heart is very nearly back to normal. I am always suspicious of big pharma and registrars! I have therfore done a lot of my own research and the only pharma medication I take now is 75mg of clopidogrel daily. I prefer other kinds of meds for eg; CQ10, L-carnitine, D-ribose,magnesium, vit D&C, apple cider vinegar and a good diet incl, green tea, fish, veg, a steak now and again, olive oil, almond milk for my homemade oats & dried fruits breakfast cereal, only real irish butter and full cream milk( in small amounts) celtic salt and distilled water. I feel fantastic apart from some arthritis in my joints. But hey, no ones perfect. 👍🏻 😌 Good luck with your recovery.
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