Heart palpitations causing worry

[Sailing63]

After diagnosis of borderline hypertension, Dr prescribed amlodipine initially 5mg but increased to 10 mg approx 8 weeks ago. Still didn't hit target 135/80 so started Ramipril initially 2.5mg then increased to 5mg. I reported increased palpitations and Ramipril reduced back to 2.5mg which initially seemed to help. BP reading in am 136/82 pulse 54 but palpitations returned. Palpitations are mostly feeling of missing beat and/or phlegm chest. No feelings of radiated pain or sweats etc. Could the cause be the amlodipine 10mg and not ramipril. Since starting BP meds never felt so unwell but this may also be degree of worry. Anyone else experience same symptoms with above meds? 59 year old male, non smoker and usually fit with resting HB 54 bpm.

[Chappychap]

If your medication is making you feel unwell it's important to alert your GP. By and large GP's are only too aware that about a third of all the medication prescribed in this country is never taken, so they will usually move heaven and earth to find a solution that works for the patient, and when it comes to blood pressure meds the good news is there are quite a few alternatives for them to work with!

It's also been my experience, echoed by many others on this forum, that certain life style changes also can be very effective at reducing blood pressure. Exercise to the NHS recommended level of 150 minutes per week (and exercise in this context means something quite serious, normally getting the pulse above 100 or 110 beats per minute and keeping it there for at least 30 minutes). That's a big ask, and is unlikely to be accomplished with a spot of gardening or dog walking, for most people it means jogging or a trip to a gym, often for four or five times a week. But the results in terms of blood pressure can be transformational.

Another effective change is to maintain a healthy BMI, it's surprising how carrying just a few extra pounds drives up blood pressure.

And the final factor, and one that worked especially well for me, was to move to a low salt diet. Extra salt causes water retention, and water adds to blood pressure, so this works and works fast. The problem I found was that there is so much hidden salt in packaged/processed foods (just a few slices of bread are normally enough to exceed the daily limit) that really getting this under control means preparing most meals from fresh.

One final point, I was intrigued by your name as I sail. The Solent is my home waters but following bypass surgery I've chartered in the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Caribbean. Nothing works better for managing stress than messing about in boats!

Good luck!

[Sailing63 in reply to Chappychap]

Thanks Chappychap, always thought a return to GP was the best answer was just trying to gauge if anyone else had similar story for reassurance as its my first health concern and has caused worry. I too sail regularly in Solent (friends ketch ex Fareham) and soon depart to deliver his boat to Pontriuex, hence want issue sorted. Charter also in Greece / Croatia and am in this year's Fastnet, again I want issue put to bed before I embark on such an event.

[djleighp]

Well I stopped all my meds as they was making me unwell and I have high BP mines normally ,,,between 150/113 and as been high is 208/124 so I started back up on my meds and gotta build up to the 8mg perindropil and they make me feel sick give me awful wind this that could be the statin I really don't want to take any BP meds as they are very bad for making ya feel illi really don't want these tablets I hope u feel better soon

[peterjones105]

In answer to your question I regularly had alarming but ectopic heart beats when first prescribed amlodopine, these went on for several weeks, now I only get them very occasionally and mildly. They can of course be caused by alcohol, caffeine and sometimes exercise.Good luck

[Tay99]

Hi there l can only say that when l was put on rampril l had awfull palpertations.

[Mstislav]

Hello Sailing63,

As other posters have already advised, it's best to speak to your GP. What works for one person often does not do well for another and it is common to require adjustments in treatment. After stopping BP medication-which I only took for a short time- my readings returned to normal. Worry, it is true, can also play havoc with the body. Recently I was taken into hospital after feeling overly tired and having a very slow pulse rate. Both were attributed to chronic stress.

[BenThom-Wood]

hi Sailing63 , I’m not too sure about ramipril being used as a beta blocker. It was explained to me that this drug stops the heart expanding when the ERF means blood stays in the heart. I’m sure as a beta blocker it works quite well but your athletic performance might suffer?

[Sailing63]

Well, just a quick update, after some difficult and scary nights and days re palpitations, I reduced amlodipine from 10mg to 5mg. First 3 days it was noticeable that incidences reduced, the last 3 days no episodes and I feel back to normal. 1 week doesn't make for a successful result, but I feel markedly better all round! Plan is to maintain 5mg and then at next review present my findings to GP. Am sure my BP will start to increase above the 135/80 target, but if amlodipine is found to be the unsuitable element, we can try something else instead. Will also continue self help regards diet and exercise. Cheers all for supportive responses to original post.