Blood Pressure Running High

[lizg0017]

Does anyone have trouble with their blood pressure running high? Mine has been around 160/85 for a few months. I have PMR since 2018. Currently on 6mg Prednisone. I already take Propranolol 20mg twice a day. Just wondering if it’s steroid related or if it’s my slow rise in weight gain.

[Twopies]

Evidently, yes. Mine was always 90/60, lately it’s 150/78. Nothing has changed diet wise at all. Had ECCO, all well. So it might be pred/pmr, never considered that before.

[Longtimer in reply to Twopies]

Being tested tomorrow along with blood tests again......over the years it certainly has changed what is regarded as high bp.....when I was a teenager I remember someone saying 100 plus your age for top number!.....then it dropped to 150, now I think the ideal is 120 ish top number, mine averages what yours does..so will see what they say....probably medicati on.....

[lizg0017 in reply to Longtimer]

Ugh. As I age, seems I never know what health surprises I’ll get for the day. Thank you.

[lizg0017 in reply to Twopies]

That’s promising. Thank you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Probably a bit of both....but if it were steroid related only would have expected it to rise earlier when on higher doses. As you reduce steroids, the BP usually decreases accordingly - usually, but not necessarily always.

[lizg0017 in reply to DorsetLady]

True. My husband and I are keeping close watch. I’ve called my GP and set up appt. thanks!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Could be either - pred does cause raised BP in many people but the effect is usually greater at higher doses.

Have you tried cutting carbs to help with the steroid-related weight gain?

[lizg0017 in reply to PMRpro]

I am working on cutting the carbs, in addition to eating a little less red meat. It’s so hard. It’s like I’m possessed with a carb monster inside of me. 👿😊

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to lizg0017]

Most people find that once you cut the carbs and smooth out the blood sugar swings that the craving for carbs reduces. I started with the 5:2 diet first and I found that also helped a lot in reassessing portion sizes. But it takes about 3 weeks to start to feel more comfortable about the changes - then it comes more easily.

[lizg0017 in reply to PMRpro]

Huh, I will definitely look into that. My husband has been gently suggesting changing my diet if I can. My instinct tells me if I want to feel better, I had better watch my carb intake and exercise a little more. Looks like I have my work cut out for me!! Tx.

[Hidden]

When I had my yearly review of medication start of the yr with nurse she said mine should be 130/80 I'm 50 dont know if this helps

[lizg0017 in reply to Hidden]

It’s good to know for reference. Thank you!

[Longtimer in reply to Hidden]

Now been to doc for bp test, among other things....it was 165/80...she said the same as your doctor...too high, should be around 120/130, but they allow for age.......as I guessed, I am doing a week's readings at home...but it will be meds I think.....not bothered about it....least of my worries......

[Hidden in reply to Longtimer]

I've been on amlodipine 10mg for yr now and was staying stable then started pred and started to go up and down, I can tell when mine goes high get a really funny head, best way to describe it I think is like a hangover then I know to keep eye on it, glad u got it checked out

[Longtimer in reply to Hidden]

Thank you...I do get dizzy/balance problems but don't expect it's bp, but who knows.....

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Longtimer]

Do you check when it happens???

[Longtimer in reply to PMRpro]

No, have never thought about the connection....but obviously will now because of the weeks monitoring Im starting tommorrow,, and inbetween if it happe ns, thought my symptoms would have been more related to low bp......if it is connected will sure be glad to take a med for it!.....I have Dr Yates ringing me again tomorrow with results of CK........had a very interesting conversation with him about OME RACT.......and trials etc.....pity my head wasn't clearer...feeling rough, but he took my email address to invo lve me in future......so watch this space.....I might need you to to interpret some things in future....who knows. Anything to improve trials/tests/treatment for this wretched beast we have battled so long!!.........

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Longtimer]

Is he on the OMERACT group too? I went to the Canada meeting as a patient research partner, then Aus was too expensive and then came Covid ...

[Longtimer in reply to PMRpro]

Well he mentioned OMERACT and patient partner....but I couldn`t take it all in...I felt so ill, and much worse today!.....he was also saying about the scans available, with or without contrast....he can do what he likes...if it helps me!....will try to write down what he says to today.....I think on the UEA Medical school profile about him OMERACT is mentioned.....

[SheffieldJane]

I do monitor my BP. It’s always on the high side, I bought a blood pressure testing cuff. I am on Atenolol 50 mgs and 2 mgs DoxazosinThis problem definitely arrived with Steroids.

[Ladyoak]

I have been on pred since last June and now on 6mg. I was fine until I had a very bad accident with my horse and needed hospital attention. My blood pressure went up to 182 for several days and I was terrified. I contacted my GP and they asked me to keep a diary for two weeks. They think mine was stress related and slowly it has started to go down.

Stress seems to be a big thing with BP, I have been doing lots of yoga and breathing exercises and my bp seems to go down by the afternoon. I am averaging 138/80 now so I don't think it is the medication but may be worth you contacting the doctor. Hope you get it sorted, it is scary.

[Longtimer in reply to Ladyoak]

When I go today I will have "white coat syndrome" my blood pressure goes off the scale! don`t know why because I don`t feel stressed in there...so will probably have to do a weeks readings at home....oh well....

[lizg0017 in reply to Ladyoak]

I have been trying to do the treadmill a few days a week. I presume with increased exercise and keeping stress levels down, my bp should go down some. I hope. 🙁

[herdysheep]

My BP was rarely checked in early days of PMR. Some 6/7 yrs later it was taken pre cataract op and found to be high. Despite diet adjustments and exercise it remained high, so presume is it either PMR or pred that's doing it. Now on BP meds.

[Longtimer in reply to herdysheep]

Think it will be meds for me....hope I don`t get the one that gives a cough sometimes....have friends and family that have discovered that over the years.......

[lizg0017 in reply to herdysheep]

I suspect I’ll be on a low dose bp med soon if my bp continues to stay on the high side. Thanks.

[herdysheep]

I have a slight very occasional cough which is more like a catch in a dry throat. Doesn't last long and sips of water make all the difference. Due for my bloods to be done tomorrow if snow lets me get there. Very helpful gp said if I take my bp monitor in they can check calibration. Bless her.

[jobyway]

Hullo, I'm thinking it might well be steroid related - when I was on Prednisolone mine shot up to 190 over something and it had been stable before, tho on meds for it. I increased my BP medication and that was fine - may be related to already having BP problems in the first place tho.

[lizg0017 in reply to jobyway]

Right. That could be with me. However, I’ve always ran a consistently low bp before pred. But I’m older now, weight up some, dealing with prednisone and an autoimmune disease. Ugh. Hopefully, I can lower it naturally first through diet and exercise. Thanks.

[Bcol]

I ve been on Pred since June (30mg) and check my BP daily (doc request) and last months averaged out, at 119/73 and 116/72 the month before that. Rarely does it get above 120/70 something. Been on 5mg Amlodipine for a number of years. My resting heart rate has increased slightly with the Pred up from low to middle 50 bpm to low 60 bpm.