Long haul flight and high BP

[Tugela]

Hello again. Im on amlodipine 10mg a day and still get a pricky feeling in my left chest at times, still find my ankles swell if I'm on my feet too much, and BP still up and down! My question Is .. im doing a long haul flight in April and wondering what precautions i can take. Doc said im fine to fly? But, I'm worried thanks!

[springcross]

Hi Tugela. Have you thought about changing the Amlodipine to something else?

[Thecyclist]

Hi, I flew UK-Australia at Christmas time, I'm on Amlodipine, Ramipril and Bisoprolol. I found wearing flight socks was a must. My feet did swell but not too badly on the way out, on the way back I took them off for the second part as my ankles had swollen more and it was a little uncomfortable, big mistake! They became more swollen and I struggled to get my shoes on. Wish I had kept them on. Overall though I was fine and the swelling went pretty quickly.

I also suggest drinking plenty of water, getting an aisle seat is also a must, so you can walk around as well, this is important and will keep the swelling down. If you can afford it go Business or Prem Economy to get more leg room so you can raise your legs a little. Failing that a bulkhead seat also works well. I took a BP monitor with me but didn't use it on the plane. I did as soon as I landed and it was fine.

Happy flying, you'll be fine!

[Tugela in reply to Thecyclist]

Thanks so much for this info

[cuore]

We now know that increasing the dosage of a medicine can cause an increase in side effects. You are taking 10 mg amlodipine which, if I am reading the fact sheet correctly, is the maximum dose. You might want to read this March 28, 2019 published article since you have definite side effects:

medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...

You might want to discuss with your doctor monotherapy versus combination therapy.

I have flown 12 hour hauls. I would make it a point to do ankle and foot exercises while seated to keep the blood flowing.