Morning high pressure

[Pippa80]

I have AF plus high blood pressure. These have been controlled with medication, Diltiazem Losartan and Digoxin

. However , because I suffered with swollen feet ankles and fingers my GP changed my medication to a beta blocker, Atenolol .I take this in the evening as well as in the morning with losartan but have noticed that my BP is high in the morning when I wake. This morning it was 151/102 although my HR was OK.

It does go down during the day so I was wondering if this is normal. It was still high with the previous medication but I did not check it so frequently. It may not be so effective but the swelling has gone down.

Is it normal to have high BP in the morning even with taking medication?

[Happyrosie]

I think if you go to the website of Blood Pressure UK the answer might not be there, but it’s good reading.

And theres a helpline.

[Pippa80 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you for your advice. I’ll take a look at the website.

[devonian186]

What is your BP in the afternoon? Do you rush the morning reading and take more time with the afternoon one as how you take it can make a huge difference

[Pippa80 in reply to devonian186]

My BP is good in the afternoon and it steadily rises in the evening.. In the morning I take it as soon as I get up and don’t rush it but it is always high despite taking a BP medication at night. Thanks for your reply. All the best.

[sandandkev]

Daft question I know but take it you do sit down quietly for 10mins before taking blood pressure?

[Pippa80 in reply to sandandkev]

No that’s not a daft question at all. In the morning I take it as soon as I get up. Perhaps I should wait a bit but I tend to think I must be relaxed after sleeping all night.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Diltiazem is what is known as a CCI (Calcium Channel Inhibitor). One, Amolodopine, caused severe oedema so my GP added a diuretic. I was commuting then and the diuretc was a nightmare so I discontinued both in a fit of pique. Subsequently Diltiazem did not cause oedema. If your BP was better controlled with a CCI maybe it just needed a change of CCI? We all react differently to the various medications "hearties" are prescribed.

[Pippa80 in reply to MichaelJH]

My lower limbs were very swollen and uncomfortable on Diltiazem but I seemed to be able to walk further than I do now on Atenolol. I walk from seat to seat now when out in the park, and there are many of them! I was on Verapamil to start with and have been on Bisoprolol which definitely didn’t agree with me. I know that is a beta blocker but not sure about Verapamil. Thanks for your reply. Best wishes.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Pippa80]

Verapamil is another CCI. Did you suffer oedema with it?

I am currently on Lisinopril (an ACE Inhibitor) and Bisoprolol.

[Pippa80 in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I did suffer oedema when on Verapamil and was dizzy at times.

I felt better on Diltiazem and could walk further and my breathing was easier but my swollen legs were a problem, also fingers , so I couldn’t get my wedding ring on.

I am not happy being on Atenolol but my GP won’t refer me back to my cardiologist, so I had thought about going privately. I am worried about the interaction between Digoxin and Atenololol, which my pharmacist pointed out . My GP admitted there was a small risk. It’s a matter of weighing up the pros and cons I suppose.

I hope you are keeping well.

I

[Yellow26]

I have AF too, check my blood pressure morning and night . It’s always higher in the morning, but when relaxed after breakfast it’s away down, night time no problem. I always find if my AF is playing up, the blood pressure is erratic then settles down.

Good luck

[Pippa80 in reply to Yellow26]

Thanks for your reply. Although I have AF my HR seems well controlled. The problem seems to be my BP. It is always very high first thing in the morning and then settles down a bit and rises again in the evening. What do you take for your AF? Have you had an ablation.?

I have had 2 and several cardioversions and am now in permanent AF.

[Yellow26 in reply to Pippa80]

I take Apixaban, amlodipine digoxin and a statin, I’ve been in permanent AF for 13yrs, had 2cardioversions but no ablation. As I said earlier my BP is erratic especially in the morning, evening time is better because I’m more relaxed, mind you everyone is different, I do cope but sometimes it’s difficult, the doc is happy with my BP as it is average over a week of taking it, good luck and keep going

[Pippa80 in reply to Yellow26]

Thanks, I try to keep going but I get depressed sometimes because the AF prevents me from walking far or gardening. I feel better when it is cooler. All the best.

[1keville2]

Pippa: I have not experienced higher BP in the AM when I take Losartan in the morning. Tom Keville, PS I am not taking Atenolol like you.

[Pippa80 in reply to 1keville2]

I take Losartan at night in an attempt to get my BP down at night but not very successful even with Atenolol as well. Perhaps my bad dreams make it rise during the night!!

[JN25]

Your morning blood pressure should be taken one hour after your morning medication, NOT before as it will give you a higher reading as you are experiencing, because the nighttime meds will be wearing off. Other possibilities could be that the dosage is not quite right.

[Pippa80 in reply to JN25]

Thanks for your reply. I will take my BP after medication as you suggest. My BP is always very high first thing in the morning which worries me. This is despite taking Atenololol and Losartan in the evening. I thought BP dropped during the night, but then everyone is different I suppose.