Irratic blood pressure

[TheUntouchables46]

Hi there

I am new to the chat. I am still having irratic blood pressure readings after being on high doses of Valsartan. My blood pressure will be stable for a while and then shoot back up again. When it is stable I take half f if the dose. I wonder if that is the problem. Please advise

[Happyrosie]

You’re not recommended to alter anything about blood pressure medication without reference to your doctor. But a thought. You say your pressure is erratic. I’m assuming you take your pressures at home, so may I suggest this:

Keeping your dosage exactly the same:

Take the pressure at same time each day on the same arm.

Sit quietly for ten minutes with the cuff on, close your eyes, then three slow (not deep) breaths before you inflate. No talking. Take the pressure four times, throwing the first one away, and write down the average of the three left. Do this for, say, five days, then present the result to your medical advisor if they are still fluctuating. They may suggest a 24 hour monitor.

Also, have a read of the website Blood Pressure UK.

Hope this helps.

[TheUntouchables46 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you very much for responding. I will do as you have suggested and report back in a week’s time.

[Tammo1 in reply to Happyrosie]

Good and sound advice - wild fluctuations are not good, and tinkering with the medicine dosage is not wise.

[springcross]

Hi TheUntouchables46. You really shouldn't be altering the dose of the medication and that could well be the cause of your erratic BP. I agree with everything that Happyrosie has said so give it a go and let us know how you get on. All the best.

[TheUntouchables46 in reply to springcross]

Thank you spring cross. I will definitely let you know how I get on.

[Geronima]

Hi yes this is interesting as I seem to be in your position, BP that fluctuates, so will follow the advice given to you too.

[TheUntouchables46]

Hello everyone, Thank you Happyrosie and everyone for your suggestion relating to my irratic blood pressure . Your advice really work especially the four readings discarding the first . My GP has arranged for me to have the 24 hour ambulatory monitoring as another problem has raised its head and I wondered whether any one has had this problem. Within a week I had two Chinese take away meals and reacted very badly, with blood pressure of 176/83 pulse 112 and feeling ver ill. I called the emergency services but they did not dwell on the meal I had. An assessment was done to check that I did not have a heart attack or stroke. I strongly feel that the meal had something to do with it. Your thoughts please

[Caradomben in reply to TheUntouchables46]

I have atrial fibrillation and high blood pressure and I have experienced this with Chinese food. My AF is triggered by certain foods so I am sure something in the meal could have triggered the fast heart rate and high BP

[onadiet in reply to TheUntouchables46]

Salt?

[Missreva]

Hi, yes I have problems with high blood pressure when I eat certain foods. I'm on a low tyramine diet which seems to help. No marmite, gravy, citrus fruit, banana's, cheese or avocado. Also stop caffeine drinks. My blood pressure reached 213/102 suddenly, since starting this diet it has been much more stable.

Hope this helps

[TheUntouchables46]

Hi HappyRosie and everyone., I have not touched base with you for a while since you gave me that excellent advice 3 months ago about managing my irratic blood pressure, but I will appreciate your thoughts about another problem that has reared its ugly head and that is I am experiencing severe tinnitus and wondered whether it could be the daily 320mgs.of Valsartan and the 5 mgs. Of Amlodopine that I am taking daily. The tinnitus gets to a point where I can hear my heartbeat in my ears and can last up until half an hour. I have been referred to the audiologist and waiting for her report.. In addition I suffer with moderate to severe with hearing loss and wear hearing aids . I hope you receive my query as my computer skills as sadly lacking and I am not sure if I am placing my query on the correct page