Hypertension, weight , age and gender

[Batandball41]

I have recently (3 weeks ago) prescribed Amlodipine for hypertension and basically it’s worked.

I am overweight and for many reasons I want to lose the weight I’ve lost some but more to go ( perhaps 12kgs / 28 lbs)

Anyway I spoke with my GP today and he was happy that my blood pressure was back in a good place, today 115/75 and we spoke of the future, weight loss and medication.

I asked about how I would know that weight loss would be at the stage when medication was no longer necessary. He thought that it might not happen and that as a male aged 64 I was predisposed for this condition and whilst weight loss was good all round it might mean that medication was still required.

I’m a little shocked about this as everything I’ve read leads me to the cause and effect or at least relationship between weight and BP.

So I’m still going to lose the weight , it’s good for me all round but I’m a little shocked about what was said and need to research this further.

Any help/ advice or experiences with regards to his most appreciated

[Happyrosie]

the statistics show that most people stay on the hypertensive therapy for life. But, that doesn’t mean that YOU must stay on it!

Follow what your doc told you about lifestyle and diet, and have a look at the website of Blood Pressure UK, the specialist charity. It may be that you can reduce or eliminate the tablets in due course. It will take time of course.

[Batandball41 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you .

Of course I will follow my Drs advice and to be fair my lifestyle is a lot better than it was say a year ago.

If I have to stay on medication for the rest of my life so be it. It just came as a shock .

[Happyrosie in reply to Batandball41]

absolutely, it’s a shock. I was only 49 when diagnosed. With the agreement of the doc, I refused medication for a few months and went down the lifestyle/exercise route, but that was insufficient, I’m now at about 120/75 and might be able to come off medication if I can get my weight down another couple of kg.

[BobbyCollins]

I am 66 female and weigh 7 st 10lbs. Don't smoke drink occasionally and work out. Still got hbp. Very disappointed and fighting against it but it is such a serious condition medication may be the only way. Be interested to see how you get on. Good Luck!

[onadiet]

Some high no is hereditary and the Consultan t told me some people just have high bp.

[Miriam123]

I was interested in the fact that you have no side effects from Amlopidine, I have just had to change meds from Amlopidine to Ramipril because I had swelling of legs and feet, also breathlessness in the night. It brought my blood pressure down but side effects were unpleasant. Feeling much better on the Ramipril just waiting for swelling to ease. Amlopidine has a long half life so takes about 10 to 11 days to clear from system. I'm also new to all this so it's a steep learning curve.

[Lathkill in reply to Miriam123]

I am interested to hear what you say about Amplodine taking 10-11 days to system. Had bad side effects with this and am going to stop it. Had Ramipril, nearly died as tongue swelled, an allergic reaction, but took 2 weeks to develop, so do take care

[Miriam123 in reply to Lathkill]

I also had to come off the ramipril after a couple of weeks and am now on Candesartan which has been fine. Feeling very well now system has settled down nicely and blood pressure consistently around 120/80

[Lathkill in reply to Miriam123]

Great news, thanks for replying🙂

[Rabia in reply to Lathkill]

Try Ashwagandah suplement from Holland and Barret.

[onadiet in reply to Lathkill]

Was put on 10mg.Amlodipine which I found intolerable. Worse side effect was my neck cramping up constantly and unable to move. GP said it was my Osteoarthritis.Well I missed a dose deliberately for 2 days and neck pain subsided.Did this 3 times.GP was more angry that I missed doses.Told her as it stays in system a long time this was OK. I then told her I cannot cope with a permanent "cricked" neck.She did not seem to understand why ??.Other bad side effects as well such as pounding heartbeat. Put on 2.50mg.Felodipine which seems OK so far along with 50mg.Losartan.

CCBs alter the calcium level in our veins which I know makes any Arthritis worse.So why does GP put a person on them? Also at my age of 73. CCBs not recommended for over 65.More Specialist imput needed like Dr.Sanjay Gupta (York Cardiology Cunsultant on UTube)is brilliant and makes it all easy to understand.Wish he was my Consultant!!

[Rabia]

Good to hear. sounds like my story. if you like to try do try Ashwaganda supplement from Holland and Barret. Believe me I have recently started after a bit of research and my blood pressure lower down at lease 10-20 mmHg tbh. Keep doing efforts to lose weight and increase physical activity level at your pace. Good luck