Has anyone noticed a link between blood pressure and fatigue?

[Ovingite]

Hi all,

I have been having a pretty rotten time of it recently as fatigue is kicking in more and more and I am able to do less and less. Following a TIA in early summer, my GP is trying to get my systolic blood pressure down (target 120) so I have been routinely monitoring and recording it. Looking back over the data for the last month or so, it seems that there may be a link between BP being high or showing volatile swings and the onset of fatigue. It could be entirely coincidental or perhaps BP is driving fatigue or vice-versa. I know I cannot blame ET for everything - but it's a convenient starting point

I would be interested to know if any of you have experienced something similar or have any knowledge of any likely cause and effect linkages.

Many thanks

John

[Tertia3]

Dear John,

I am sorry to hear that have been feeling rotten lately.

I was diagnosed with ET about the same time as you. In fact, I think we may share the same haematologist. A very nice lady but a cancer denier.

Has your GP changed your BP tablets lately? I believe some of them

can cause fatigue. Have you looked at their side effects? Just a thought.

With my best wishes,

Aitret

[Ovingite in reply to Tertia3]

Thanks Aitret. I had a phone consultation with the hemo team today and they have suggested that the Atorvastatin that I was prescribed after the TIA may be causing the increased fatigue. The timing seems to fit, so I will take it up with my GP to see if there is an alternative. If anything positive comes of it I will post an update

John

[Tertia3 in reply to Ovingite]

Hi John,

Yes, I've heard that statins can cause nasty side effects. Hopefully your GP can prescribe you a different one that will suit you better. I've read that taking Co Q10 tablets can help when taking statins, though I've no personal experience.

Best Wishes, hope you improve soon.

[katiewalsh]

Hi I take Amlodipine Besylate, I think it’s the generic for Norvasc, & it hasn’t caused fatigue. Don’t know if it’s avai outside the U.S. I’ve begun having fatigue but have been on same BP med for decades. Good luck, I hope you find a solution. Katie

[DH65]

Hi John, I really feel there is a connection as I feel like my body has to raise my bp to keep me upright and moving. I was on 40 mg Lisinopril and it’s stopped working. We tried adding a beta blocker which made me even more tired so I couldn’t take it. What seems to be helping is a calcium channel blocker as I believe it relaxes the blood vessels. However if I am especially fatigued my bp is higher even with medication. I hope this helps.

[Johnsb]

I have PV and have tracked by BP and Glucose level and found no correlation for me. With PV I am kept in a very anemic state and the low iron levels are a bigger factor. I also notice more fatigue with less hydration.

[Ovingite in reply to Johnsb]

Thanks John,

I certainly agree about the link between hydration and fatigue. Very noticeable

John

[Johnsb in reply to Ovingite]

One last item, I have noticed a large spike up in my BP when my Hemoglobin goes above 45%. WIth PV I have to keep in below that 45% and once my BP is trending up I know I headed for a phlebotomy session.

[paradiastole in reply to Johnsb]

I've noticed the same thing in reverse - my systolic blood pressure has gone down ten points since I started venesections just after Christmas (and my haematocrit has gone down by 10% in the same period).

[Aime]

Hi John, something I hadn’t thought of. I’ve recently been put onto a second bp tablet because it was high and have been quite fatigued but put it down to my low iron levels. Interesting, will monitor. Kindest regards Aime xx😺