Alternative medicines for Hypertension

[Trizz]

I'm having bad side effects with Amlodipine - 10mg. Swollen, feet, legs face and upper abdomen. I've read one of the side effects is a swollen spleen. I've asked my GP to review my meds but have to wait 4 weeks for a telephone consult. Plus most tablets for high BP have side effects. I can't take ramipril as my mother had a very bad reaction to it. Has anyone tried any alternative medicines for high BP? e.g. a herbalist (qualified of course). and will consult with my GP who is open to alternative therapies. Thank you

[Happyrosie]

there are lots of medications for hypertension so don’t despair. Two ways to get more information:

BloodPressure UK is the specialist charity - have a look at their website.

Your own pharmacist might help - pharmacists are, because of their training, more clued up than doctors about specific drugs, their inter-reactions and their side effects.

Another thought - have you already gone down the diet/lifestyle route?

[Trizz in reply to Happyrosie]

Yes I eat healthily and do a moderate amount of exercise.

[Sylviepri]

I also was on amlopidine and it brought my blood pressure down very well but my ankles swelled up and I had to stop. I tried ramipril only three days. Lots of pain. Then Losartan I can’t remember now why but it wasn’t suitable so now I’m on Lercanidipine which is similar to amlopidine but so far no side effects.

[Hidden]

Ask your GP for Candesartan. Whilst that MED brings down BP quite well start looking into what caused your high BP. Get rid of seed oils from your diet. Add magnesium and potassium sourced foods to your diet. Look into Vitamin K2 and Nattokinase. If you have money to burn look into Phosphatidylcholine IN infusions.

[rosyG]

I got swollen legs on 10mg Amiodipine and am now taking 5mg but splitting it in half for morning and evening It's so effective that I am keen to keep on it I also have 8mg candasartan in the evening.

[cimarosa]

I'm sorry to hear this but you can keep trying to find a medication that suits you with minimal side effects. I would be interested to know more details of your mother's day reaction because I am taking it and am not feeling good with it at times. It is giving me occasional dizziness and anxiety. Some people seem to tolerate it without effects. Best wishes.

[TheJazzSinger]

Try Hibiscus Tea. The trials so far seem to have had good results