HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SPIKES

[Oztrax]

HIgh BP isnt my primary condition. Have been on BP medication for years now and it has been very stable at around 115/80. My diastolic years before had been on the high side. Am on CANDESARTAN HCTZ 16mg/12.5 mg as my BP a few months ago was actually quite low at 115/80 Jan last year. At one time it measured 85/62 one morning April 19. Previously was on double dose of the CANDERSARTAN above.

I hadnt been measuring my BP regularly eg each day/few days. 2 weeks ago at a specialist appointment it was 163/105. Same at my GP, he gave me 25mg PREDNISONE daily for another condition, took the first dose and next morning by BP was 174/111. Checked it 2 hours later and it was 185/124, thats at the "seek medical care level". Took another dose of CANDERSARTAN and it started to come down and has settled now a couple of days later at 163/105.

Maybe the PREDNISONE had an effect or more likely I think my blood vessels/cardio had inflammation (vasculitis),

Does anyone else experience blood pressure changes with steroid use ?

10mm change is said to be acceptable normally but I was concerned at 185/124 and definitely felt anxious and a bit tight in the chest

[Madlegs1]

That would worry me!

Stay close to your doctor.

Monitor your BP regularly.

Good luck.

[Oztrax in reply to Madlegs1]

thanks, i was worried started packing up to go to ED then saw BP dropping after the second dose. Whats more worrying is why ? Some experts say HIGH BP is treated as a primary condition when quite often its the secondary condition.

[Collywobbles64]

I have also had blood pressure spikes in the last couple of years and ended up in hospital. The paramedics took my BP and it was very high even after a couple of hours. They said my carotid artery was standing out which is indicated in high BP. I cannot seem to get a handle on it when it used to be stable with medication. I also had slurred speech on one occasion when the paramedics came out. Prior to 2021 it was stable and no problem.

[Tr33cy]

I cannot weigh-in on the prednisone affecting BP (my mother has stable BP and has been using Prednisone for years, however her dose is low). The “lower” BP of 163/105 is still way too high. I would check with the local pharmacist to see if the Prednisone is negatively interacting with any of your medications (list every single thing you’re taking and let the pharmacist let you know if anything shows up as problematic). Sometimes even moderate Rx contraindications can have negative impacts. Your doctor might need to switch a medication or make some other changes to get the BP lower than 130/80.

[Happyrosie]

just to add a comment on your blood pressure - when you take yours, you do need to be fully relaxed for ten minutes before each time you take a reading.

Your own doctors group of surgeries probably employs a pharmacist or two, so they would be the ones to best advise you. Details probably on your practice website but if not phone the surgery.

[Oztrax]

thanks HR, my wife says the stress from worrying about my health ATM isnt helping BP