Candesartan 4mg

[jamgardner]

Hi,

Just been diagnosed with HBP which is freaking me out a bit, I was started on Ramipril but felt awful on them, constantly dizzy, lightheaded etc. So the doctor put me on Candesartan on a low dose, so far no real side-effects - occasional spells.

I was just wondering how long I should wait to expect to see my results drop - currently I'm averaging about 159/104. Bizarrely my readings before any medication was 147/104, wondering if its due to me suffering from from white coat syndrome.

I've started to take about 5 readings each time to try and relax. Any advice on either would be appreciated.

Thanks

[080311]

Hello jamgardner

Welcome to the forum, I was put on Ramipril after open heart surgery, but got the Ramipril cough! So now on Cardestartan and have been for 6 years.

Getting your blood pressure under control it’s finding the right medication. and time for this medication to work. Taking your blood pressure my advice would be sit quietly for 5 minutes sit upright feet together. Take 3 readings and take the average. Don’t take them at the same time every time alternate morning, midday and evening.

Do you have to go back to your GP? If he/she hasn’t said they want to see you, if your pressure isn’t going down after a couple of weeks then go back and it could be you need different medication.

You have found you have a problem, try and help yourself if you smoke stop, look at your diet, the BHF recommends the Mediterranean diet lots of us here on the forum follow that, not so much a weight loss diet as a healthy way of eating.

Now you are a member of the Hearties family, any questions just post and someone will be along to try and help.

Best wishes Pauline

[jamgardner in reply to 080311]

Thanks for your response, currently I'm in fairly regular contact with the GP with a few runs of blood tests, urine samples etc.

I've made quite a few changes to my lifestyle over the last month, dropped my caffeine to 1 cup a day, and Salt has bee taken out my diet as much as I can. I did smoke, never a heavy smoker but now I'm a week without. I've dropped about 5 kilos (down to 92kg/14.6st) still a bit to go. I'll definitely explore the Mediterranean diet.

I guess I just have to be patient! and give things some time to work! 🙂

[Hidden in reply to jamgardner]

My guess is you could lose more weight which will help to lower your BP naturally. Whilst losing 5kg is commendable, at 92kg you will have to be over 1.75m tall to be not considered obese. Unless there is a medical reason why people are heavier than they should be losing weight should not be difficult provided you are committed to the task and choose the right balance of increased exercise and diets, without life becoming a misery. One easy way of lowering calorie intake is to cut out all unnecessary sugary stuff like cola, cakes biscuits sweets and chocolate etc which is one of the things I have done, plus reducing alcohol intake. This has helped me lose 13kg over the summer and my BMI is now just over 25. I wish you well.

[22alfie]

after having heart attack June and stent fitted and pills I've never had to take before I'm improving but had problems with dizziness too so today I will be taking one pill less to see if this makes a difference. So I will be coming off ramipril for a week. So im fingers crossed 🤞

[Silvertail]

Candesartan keeps my blood pressure down. I've been on high dose for ten years without any problems.

[MountainGoat52]

I suffer from white coat syndrome and have found a distraction helps take my mind off what I am doing when taking my blood pressure. I pick up a book or a magazine relating to a pastime I enjoy and read a bit or even just look at the photos if there are any. Works for me.

Finding out that you have a high blood pressure and need medication can be a shock. It is rare in modern society to reach 50 without something needing correction. I well recall being told I had a high BP and being prescribed diuretics which I was found to be allergic to. That was 20 years ago and I didn't get prescribed a suitable medication (Losartan) until 12 years ago after I changed GP practice.