Ramipril or/and lack of sleep causing higher BP?

[Butterscone]

I am a slim, physically active 63 year old. My diet is good and I am retired. My blood pressure was measured at 160/85 at a check-up. Whilst, waiting for a doctor's appointment, I measured my BP at home. It was typically around 135/77 but on two ocasions over a ten day period it hit 155/80.

At the doctor's appointment I was prescribed 2.5mg Ramipril once daily. Since taking it, my blood pressure has gone up to, on average, 140/80 and on one occasion it hit 159.

Has anybody else had this experience of Ramipril increasing BP?

I should also add I am on Tamolusin to aid urination. This has improved the flow and, in the main, eliminated hesitancy. However, I still get up three or four times per night to urinate and have trouble getting back to sleep. Consequently, I end up getting around six hours of interrupted sleep. I do not have a continuous period of sleep longer than three hours. I wonder if this poor sleep is causing my raised BP.

Thank in advance for any replies.

[RedDonkey]

Can only report my own experience of course. I’ve been on Ramipril 2.5 for about six weeks, alongside Amlodopine 5mg which I’ve been taking a bit longer (the Amlodopine on its own was not lowering my blood pressure sufficiently. I have had zero problems/side effects and my BP is now arround 135/85. Maybe your other meds are causing the sleeplessness? Worth a chat with your doctor anyway. Best wishes.

[Butterscone in reply to RedDonkey]

Thanks for your reply. It's definitely the need to urinate that is causing me to wake up. I have a doctor's appointment on 8th April after giving a blood sample on 3rd April. Hopefully the doctor will have a suggestion.I've attached my sleep analysis from last night. As you can see I spent lengthy periods awake after getting up to pee. It's really getting me down.

Sleep analysis provided by Fitbit.

[Happyrosie]

I’m wondering, Keith, if your frequency of urination has been properly investigated. I would be surprised if poor sleep might raise your pressure.

[Butterscone in reply to Happyrosie]

Happyrosie,Thanks for your reply. Hopefully my doctor can help when I see him on 8th April

Keith

[peter999999999]

5 hours asleep i wish i could get that, last 20 odd years about 3 or 4 a night, if your healthi s good you dont need as much sleep as someone who is not so fit, well thats what i say when i only get 2 hours sleep but full of life, you have a eternity of sleep ahead of you .

[Butterscone in reply to peter999999999]

Thanks, for your very positive reply. However, Im often tired and the frequency of urination and the lying awake in bed is getting me down.

[peter999999999 in reply to Butterscone]

yes lying awake is bad, i make a point of getting up between 4 and 5 every morning, i could not think id got to stop in bed till 6 or 7, im walking 3 miles at 7 rain or shine

[Mrshappyme in reply to Butterscone]

just woundering have you had your urine sample checked to see if you have any urine infection

[ChrissiG]

I was prescribed Losartan for BP and was on a low dose for a few years. Measured at home my BP was ok but always high at the surgery. They decided to up my meds from 25mg to 50mg. No change. So they put it up to 100mg. My BP went up! I also developed low blood sodium and felt rotten. Slowly took myself off the meds over a few weeks (with GP’s approval) and BP went back to normal! I’ve decided they don’t agree with me so keeping off them and just monitoring at home. I know it’s a different BP Med to yours but some people seem to get the opposite effect from these drugs than they should!

[JaneFinn]

Hi Keith, I feel for you with the sleep issue. I’ve been there with very broken sleep (for a different reason) and my doctor told me it can definitely cause a rise in blood pressure. I guess for those who are happy and healthy sleeping less it’s fine, but if it’s a stressor, eg if you’re being constantly woken up when the body wants deep sleep, or lying stressed by not being able to sleep, I was told it can definitely affect the daytime blood pressure. I’d have a chat with your doctor about it and your meds, and how you can get more of the uninterrupted sleep you need?

[Butterscone in reply to JaneFinn]

Jane, many thanks for your reply. My BP seems to have settled down now. I’m waiting for an appointment at the Urology Department but it could be 16 weeks.😂