Anaemia, blood pressure and Amlodipine

[Alunrhys]

I am on 5 mg amlodipine daily for high blood pressure, and have been for more than a year. Since then my blood pressure has not been tested. It has become routine to take this repeat prescription, so I don't unfortunately know how high my BP is today.

However, just recently I have experienced various symptoms including breathlessness, and iron-deficient anaemia has been diagnosed. The underlying cause of this is being investigated.

My question is this - will this anaemia be reducing my blood pressure? Or could it even be increasing blood pressure? Should I continue taking amlodipine at this time? I worry because it is now the weekend and short of going to accident and emergency, I cannot get my blood pressure tested. Anaemia can cause heart problems, heart attacks etc, so as far as my immediate health is concerned, really I am asking for the next two days should I be taking amlodipine or not, before getting my BP checked again?

[springcross]

Hi Alun. You could buy a home BP monitor and check your own BP or give your pharmacist a call and ask him/her for advice. Your GP should have told you what to do but as that's obviously not happened, ring the pharmacist for advice first. Good luck

[Alunrhys in reply to springcross]

My thanks and my apologies for not replying sooner. I probably will now get a BP monitor to avoid this problem in future. It was late Saturday when I posted and nearly all pharmacists and GPs are shut over the weekend (a long weekend because Monday is a bank holiday) - so I was concerned about continuing with Amlodipine, if indeed anaemia had drastically lowered my blood pressure. As it happens though I did find a chemist (Boots) open till late Saturday evening, so I rushed off and got it checked. My BP hasn't actually changed much - still quite high - but at least that made it easy for me to decide to continue with it throughout the long weekend. My thanks again for your help and concern.

[springcross in reply to Alunrhys]

You're very welcome. I hope it's sorted soon for you. All the best.

[Madlegs1]

Decent BP monitors are available in most chemists for under 60 euros-- 40 quid in your language?It was the first thing I did when diagnosed with high BP. Have been on Amlodipine 5mg for a month. Down from 200 to 140s now.

It's a small investment in your peace of mind.

I think one can get BP taken in various places in UK.

Good luck.

[Alunrhys in reply to Madlegs1]

My thanks, and my apologies for not replying sooner. I probably will now get a BP monitor to avoid this problem in future. I worried because it was late Saturday and today (Monday) is a bank holiday - most chemists and non-hospital doctors are closed - so I was concerned about continuing with Amlodipine, if indeed anaemia had lowered my blood pressure. As it happens though I did find a chemist (Boots) open till late Saturday, so I rushed off and got it checked. My BP hasn't actually changed much - still quite high - but at least that made it easy for me to decide to continue with it throughout the long weekend. My thanks again for your help and concern.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Alunrhys]

Great news!👍

[lettingoffsteam]

You can get your blood pressure measured in most pharmacies.Personally I have my own bp machine which cost only £30. It isn't clear what is causing your anaemia.I take 5mg amlodipine but I'm not anaemic plus I know many other people who are fine on this drug. You should have a chat with your pharmacist about this (maybe whilst getting your bp checked). I'm sure you will be reassured but if not talk to your GP.

[Alunrhys in reply to lettingoffsteam]

My thanks, and my apologies for not replying sooner. I probably will now get a BP monitor now. I worried because it was late Saturday and today (Monday) is a bank holiday so most chemists and non-hospital doctors are closed - so I was concerned about continuing with Amlodipine, if indeed anaemia had drastically lowered my blood pressure. As it happens though I did find a Boots chemist open till late Saturday, so I rushed off and got it checked. My BP hasn't actually changed much - still quite high - but at least that made it easy for me to decide to continue with it throughout the long weekend. I'll try to get a GP appointment tomorrow (Tuesday). My thanks again for your help and concern.

[lettingoffsteam in reply to Alunrhys]

That sounds like a good plan.Perhaps your GP will consider another medication instead.It took a while for me to adjust to medication but I got there in the end.Keep us posted.😀