Increase in blood pressure

[Pr0jection]

I've always had normal to low blood pressure. Before I started prednisolone it hovered between 124/78 - 117/74 and was often lower when I'd completed a range of exercises. I've been on prednisolone for 5 months. My BP was taken by my GP two weeks ago and my systolic was 180. The diastolic reading was not mentioned. I was asked to check it when I returned home and to call her if it was still high. It finally went down to 124/79 around 1800 hrs. Since then I've taken my BP periodically throughout the day and it's around 140/78 which I understand is no cause for alarm. Is this a common side effect from taking prednisolone and, if so, do other members have to take medication? I'd rather not.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Your reading at the doctors may well have been due to white coat syndrome - which is a very real thing. And the frequent taking of your BP made you worried so it didn't fall as fast as it should have.

I am on medication but it is partly because of having atrial fibrillation which started about the same time as the PMR symptoms and is very likely due to the autoimmune part of PMR. However, increased BP can be a side effect of pred in some people. It usually improves again as you lower the dose. It all depends on how high it goes - in the context of hypertension it doesn't matter WHY it is high but if it is too high it needs to be managed to reduce the long term damage to the body just the same as is the case with raised blood sugar and diabetes.

[Pr0jection in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for the reply. I mentioned the white coat syndrome to the GP and I think that was the only reason she let me leave the surgery without a prescription. Apart from PMR I have a brain aneurism which was very small when seen on an MRI 7 years ago and remained so for the next 4 years. The opinion of the surgeon was that as it was so small it was unlikely to cause a problem. However, with the onset of PMR and the likelihood of higher blood pressure I will have to keep an eye on things, and maybe have another MRI.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pr0jection]

I think that is a good idea.

[herdysheep]

I have been on pred since 2012. I have recently (I think) developed both high blood pressure and high cholesterol despite a healthy diet, good BMI and regular exercise. Having done as much as I can to control it over 12 mths or so, I am now on medication for both. Bit like pred really - nice if you can avoid it, but may be necessary/unavoidable! Bit of family history may play it's part to say nothing of ageing.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to herdysheep]

Me same.......on BP meds long before GCA/Pred. ... never did increase on Pred. It did go really low following knee replacement in 2018, so came off all meds for about a year...but it did creep up again slightly, so now back on very low dose...no issue.

As said, if you need meds, you need meds...I must admit I do get a bit cross when people say "oh I hate the thought of tablets, I'll never go on medication" - no-one can say that.

[Constance13 in reply to DorsetLady]

BP - same story as mine - 40 years old - PMR 72. Now on low dose too.

[Pr0jection in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes, totally understand. Friends tend to frown at me when I mention that I'm on a lowish dose of pred. However, until you go through the pain........

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Pr0jection]

....exactly, and a high dose of Pred saved sight in left eye (right already kaput due to mis diagnosis). ....so to me if not a life saver, certainly a sight saver!

[Bcol]

Hi, very similar to most of the other posts, been on Amlodipine, very low dose of 5mg/day, for a number of years. Not noticed any great change with taking Pred it's usually around 117/73 ish. Heart beat has changed though, resting rate used to be in the low 50's, doc told me I was Bradycardic, but is now in middle 60's.