I’m 70 I had a couple of spikes in blood pressure this year, both times when in a lot of pain - a root filling needed and a case of shingles and was advised to see GP. I would say my average blood pressure has been between 130 and 140/90 so outside the normal range
I started on felodipine six weeks ago 2.5mg with no ill effects but after a second reading of 155/90 with the nurse, my dose has been increased to 5mg a few days ago. I feel like a zombie, I get up, take my meds (I also have RA) and within a couple of hours I am crawling back in to bed to sleep for another three or four hours - I’m just about to get up for second time at 4.00 pm.
I know that nothing can substitute a chat with the GP but thought I’d ask you good people here if anybody has had a similar introduction to BP meds and it just takes time for your body to adjust.
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eve5
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we’ll it does take time - but I don’t think it should be like this!! The usual way that docs treat high blood pressure is, firstly (unless there’s an emergency) to go down the lifestyle and diet route. If this isn’t producing the necessary drop, then a medication is prescribed and you are fairly closely monitored and bloods taken. After three months if this still hasn’t done the trick then a different type of medication is added, rather than an increased dose of the original one.
But, what I’m saying doesn’t take account of family history and medical history, height/weight ratio etc.
In your position I’d go to the website of Blood Pressure UK and possibly phone their helpline
tel:02078826218
Are you taking your blood pressure at home? If not, get a machine and do it at home. You’ll be more relaxed. If you need tips on taking it at home, post here again.
Thank you happyrosie, that sounds like a really useful contact I’ll give them a call tomorrow. Yes I am taking my BP at home and it is much lower than at the doctor’s.
Good! When you speak, have ready for them in case they ask your family history (any parent or sibling had cardiovascular disease before age 60) your med history, height and weight.
There is white coat syndrome - being in front of the nurse - you expect a bad result and get tensed up whereas being properly relaxed at home u get a more realistic reading - you need 5 mins to sit and relax pre reading which u don’t get at the gp / nurse
Hello Eve5, I’m on BP medication but always take it at home, never in the surgery where it’s always tons higher. Also as we creep past 70 (I’m 72) BP is allowed to be higher than the recommended 120/70 and our surgery allows it up to 150. On medication mine averages around 135/80. Sometimes it goes higher and sometimes after exercise, it can drop to 115/75. I’d check back with your doctor as I’m sure what you’re experiencing is not right.
Thanks JazzSinger. Yes mine is much lower at home and I took my readings with me. I thought I was home and dry as the initial 2.5 brought the readings down considerably but the surgery reading remained the same.
Possibly white coat syndrome. Also surgeries tend to take it once, often before you’ve had time to sit for a while and relax, while at home it should be taken after sitting quietly for up to 10 mins and taken 3 times and the result should be the average of the 3.
I’m sure u have heard of white coat syndrome ( B/P higher at the Dr surgery cause of anxiety) and it sounds like that is what u are experiencing. The lower reading at home would point to that. Call the helpline as they are very useful. Possibly 5mgs is causing your B/P to drop too much and as a result u are exhausted. 🍀
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