Difficulties with blood pressure link to headaches?

[Emmarandall24]

Hi everyone, hope you are all well

I would just like some support for my father. He has had about every test under the sun, tilt table, myocardial perfusion test, MRI etc and are all saying different things.

They found upon doing the tilt test that he has a precipitous collapse and the clinical symptoms have a vasovagal mechanism whatever that entails! He was discharged and told to drink 2-3 L water everyday (which he does) which doesn’t help.

On the myocardial perfusion scan they wouldn’t let him complete the treadmill test after the dye was put in because they was afraid he may have a heart attack, he was discharged from there also with no cause of concern.

When seeing the neurologist, they said his blood pressure is very low particularly when standing and doing activities and when we go to the GP it is fine. The blood pressure drops by 20 if not over.

Just wanted some advice on where to go with it next because it seems everyone is saying different. He has a very balanced diet, drinks plenty and tries to complete exercise especially when it is hard.

The main symptoms he experiences is an extreme headache (tightness around the head which radiates all over, can be one side, can be at the front all different), he is very off balance and goes extremely pale all the time. Just wondered if these are linked to blood pressure.

He currently takes 10mg Ramipril daily which the GP is saying is fine however the neurologist said he should be on different.

Sorry if this is confusing, me and him are very confused by it all and just want these headaches and feeling ill to go away!

many thanks to you all

[Hidden]

it’s great that your father has YOU to support him.

We are aren’t medics on this forum at all and certainly can’t diagnose, but might be able to point you in the right direction.

The charity Blood Pressure UK may possibly be helpful to you and they’ve a helpline.

[Emmarandall24 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your kind words Rosie, appreciate that. Definitely yes, know I can’t get a proper diagnosis on here but your right just for support. I will try the charity blood pressure- again thank you for your lovely response. Have a good day x

[Responsable]

Hi! Headaches, being pale in the face, swelling ankles, all point out to poor blood circulation. When people have AF attack, the blood flowrate gets lower because the pumping capacity of the heart gets deteriorated. It could be the way his problems happen. Try with up to 3 normal coffees a day, the coffee activates the body, including the heart. Not expensive and always easy to stop if not effective. Let your father spend as much time as possible in horizontal position, it will improve the blood circulation through his head and possibly reduce the headache burden. I would not let him drink that much water a day - as you say, it gives no results and loads his kidneys a lot.

Lately, I have had very increased BP for a while (measured 230/100, which is my best ever, lol). I took only 3 pills of Amlodipine (one 5 mg pill a day - not keen in taking medications), which works via dilatation of blood vessels and improves blood circulation, and it did wonders for me. It is a month or more since I stopped Amlodipine, and my BP is still at about 165/70-80, which I am very content with...

Keep researching and learning, medical care is of poor quality everywhere and is getting worse. Best wishes! Peter

[Emmarandall24 in reply to Responsable]

Thank you so much Peter for your response, I will try all that you’ve suggested that’s a great help. He did get told he’s got an irregular heart by cardiology 2 years ago but now when he goes they said it’s fine and that he doesn’t which is confusing! I’m glad that your blood pressure is going well, wishing you all the best too xx

[Responsable in reply to Emmarandall24]

You are welcome, Emma! I have noticed that amlodipine has had several positive effects in my case, so why not try it for your father too. I am not a doctor, but poor blood circulation is a problem for many people, so why not try to improve it. Our bodies are capable of healing many things, provided that the blood circulation is good. I am always ready to test new things, carefully, and if there is positive result, I have learned something new. I have sent you a Personal Message, some 6 months ago. Would you reply to my questions, also per PM, please!?

[Emmarandall24 in reply to Responsable]

Yes of course, sorry didn’t come up on mine! Again many thanks. Will try

[ChiefsKC]

has anyone mentioned Vestibular migraine or POTS

[ETHEL103 in reply to ChiefsKC]

I was going to say Vestibular Migraine too.I haven't been formally diagnosed but I have constant tension type headaches and tinnitus and I think that's my problem.BP can also be erratic.

[Emmarandall24 in reply to ETHEL103]

Yes he experiences tinnitus too! I hope you get a proper diagnosis for what you’re going through, can’t understand how tough it is!

[Emmarandall24 in reply to ChiefsKC]

No no one has but we’ve always thought that and keep seeing symptoms that match up. I’ve heard it’s just hard to get a diagnosis for it. Thank you for your reply!

[Ukscorpio]

I’ll just go a little off piste. Does your Dad have glasses?

I take 5mg Ramipril. Blood pressure is ok with that at <140 and <80. I’m fairly fit 68 year old and play a lot of golf. I wear varifocals for eyesight.

I was blaming Ramipril for headaches during the day, I was waking at night with my temples bumping and when I sat down the same happened. My vision wasn’t so good and when I bent over ( say touch my toes) I’d go a little dizzy. My blood pressure would always be higher while this was being experienced. I was going to try another drug but then……

I changed my glasses after an eyesight test as they weren’t fitting too well. I also cut down on my mobile phone. I also started doing more regular neck stretching exercises to remove stiffness ( golf to blame) . Something worked. Guess what stopped after a while?

Probably only a 1 in a 100 chance your Dad has the same but thought I’d offer it just in case and there’s no risk to your Dad if you tested it. Best of luck.

[Emmarandall24 in reply to Ukscorpio]

Thank you so much for your reply really means a lot, I hope your doing a lot better now!

Yes he does have glasses but seems to wear them more often now than usual and said if he takes them off his eyes really hurt and everything seems more painful. We are going to go get his eyes tested again so maybe that will help, best to try than not!

Again really appreciate your reply!