High systolic blood pressure

[Jelbea]

I need to find a blood pressure treatment which will not drop the diastolic pressure (which is always in good normal range). I have been tried on several medications in the past - most recently Losartan which seemed OK for RLS but dropped my diastolic pressure to between 50 and 60 which is becoming dangerously low. For a while I have not taken any medication as systolic pressure is usually between 130 and 150 depending on time of day. However, recently BP has been spiking especially in the white coat situation as many of you will understand.

I suffer a rare form of blood cancer and take oral chemotherapy capsules every day which is designed to keep platelets count low because of a risk of clotting. I also have to take a blood thinner. These drugs are keeping my blood very satisfactory although the treatment is very tiring but necessary to try to prevent strokes or heart attacks.

Yesterday while getting bloods checked at hospital I was found to have extremely high blood pressure and was not allowed to leave until it began to fall back which took quite a while resting on the bed. Doctor made me promise to try again to get suitable medication which can be difficult with RLS.

However, I know Sue has suggested some medications which might be suitable and I wondered if Sue or anyone else on site could perhaps advise. I have a hopeless GP - no help at all - so I would like to have a few suggestions before I contact him. Incidentally the doctor in the hospital seemed well aware of the effect of medications on RLS which amazed me. There is hope for us all yet😊👍

Perhaps some of you also suffer the isolated systolic blood pressure and could let me know what drug you take.

Anyhow thanking you all for any help🤞😊

[SueJohnson]

All of the ones I gave will lower diastolic pressure.

[Jelbea in reply to SueJohnson]

Hello Sue and thank you for your prompt response. I have read that amlodipine is used for isolated systolic hypertension and I wonder if anyone here takes this. I have read some find it affects RLs and others seem able to take it. It is a calcium channel blocker and I think I read that it either crosses or does not cross the blood/brain barrier. I cannot remember where I read this.

Anyhow, thank you for your answer and perhaps some others may come on with their experiences or knowledge. It is a hard thing to treat as if you get the systolic correct then the diastolic goes far too low causing even more problems.

[SueJohnson in reply to Jelbea]

You're correct that it doesn't bother some. You might find this article interesting as it discusses it and its affect on systolic and diastolic pressure. cardiovasculardiseasehub.co....

Here is another interesting article discussing the opposite of what you want nypep.nysdoh.suny.edu/wp-co...

[Jerry57 in reply to Jelbea]

I took amlodipine 5mg tablets for 10-15 years with no adverse effects on my RLS. My systolic would spike during stressful situations on my job, and eventually it remained higher than normal (150-170), so my DR. prescribed it. It brought my systolic down to 130-140 and my diastolic stayed in the 70s. My BP has returned to normal since I retired 5 years ago, so I no longer take it. I do not know if it crosses the BBB. Hope this helps.

[Jelbea in reply to Jerry57]

Hello Jerry - Thank you for the information. My normal BP at home is on the high side but for my age (82) the doctor felt it OK (around 130 145 over 70. However, I have the same trouble that you had - under stress the systolic spikes up and of course this always happens at hospital appointments, etc. It is a hard one to treat as when I did try Losartan it lowered systolic but diastolic went dangerously low. I am checking BP twice daily for the next week and then I shall discuss with the GP again - not that he helped in the past. Because of the other ailments I suffer I would be more prone to a stroke or heart attack and although in the eighties I enjoy life with my family close by and want it to continue as long as possible.

I shall mention amlodipine at the surgery and see what he thinks and perhaps have a trial. Again many thanks for reaching out. Good Wishes to you

[SueJohnson in reply to Jelbea]

That reminded me that my blood pressure measured at a doctor's office is higher than I felt it really was so i bought one to use at home and it is normal taken at home. So you might want to try that. They are not expensive $29.95 and can be bought on Amazon,

There was a 30 point difference and I didn't feel stressed at all at the doctor's office.

However I just noticed you said you check your blood pressure twice a day so I guess you already have one.

[Jelbea in reply to SueJohnson]

Hello again Sue = Thank you for thinking of me. I am checking BP twice daily for the next week and then I shall discuss with doctor. I have done this in the past and although a bit on the high side it is not dangerously so. It is only in stressful situations that it spikes up. Below 140 to 150 systolic is now accepted for older patients so I shall see how mine does over the week. Good wishes to you.

[SueJohnson]

And then there is this which is in my other usual recommendation. - reducing salt by 1 teaspoon a day

nih.gov/news-events/nih-res....

[Jelbea in reply to SueJohnson]

Hi Sue - Thank you for all the interesting information. I have not added salt to my diet for many years and use minimum when cooking. This is a hard type of hypertension to treat and GP has not been at all helpful in the past. I am trying to lose some weight in the hope that might help but being on the oral chemo makes this very hard and I will have to take this for the rest of my life. I do go for a 20 minute walk every day but at my age I find more exercise is difficult.

Anyhow thank you again for your help.