Hypertension & Medication question

[SlightlyJaded]

I wonder if someone can help me with a recent diagnosis of hypertension and a question about medication interactions (I have googled but it’s not clear).

A few weeks ago, I was diagnosed with hypertension - my blood pressure was ridiculous by any standards. I am late forties, a bit (but not hugely) overweight 5.6’/size 14. It was so high that I have been referred for further cardiology tests, but in the meantime, doctor is putting it down to genetics and a very stressful five years…

I’ve been on 10mg Ramipril and Amlodipine for a few weeks and it’s thankfully starting to make a bit of a difference.

I am confused about a couple of things though – potassium is one. I was previously advised to eat loads (so was shovelling bananas and avocados in) but am now not sure if there is potassium in the medication and I should stop eating so much? And the other thing is Asprin. In normal times, I travel long haul a lot for work and always always take Asprin pre-flight, but not sure if I should now.? Dr Google gives conflicting advice…

And if I don’t, am I at increased risk due to blood pressure? It’s not an immediate concern (for obvious reasons) but I will have to start travelling again as things open up. I’d feel quite vulnerable without my asprin.

I am also not clear if this is now something I have to take ‘for life’. GP was very rushed and I couldn’t really ask any questions.

Thank you!

NICE advises against taking aspirin before long haul flights.

The advice re. potassium will depend on why you were told to try and increase it, what your potassium is at the moment and what your kidneys are up to so your GP is the person to ask.

I'm on both those (plus five others ) and no one mentioned bananas !

British Heart Foundation have an excellent forum which you might find useful.

Have you had a blood test since starting the medication? They generally check kidney function and potassium is one of the results in the U’s&E’s blood test.
Is there a clinical pharmacist at the surgery? If you call and ask to be put on their list (if there is one) they will be able to answer all of your questions as your GP rushed you. Some people take it for life, some people make huge lifestyle changes and can reduce, then stop taking, medication. I guess it would depend on what the cardiologist tests reveal is the cause.

I take Lisinopril and I believe you're supposed to avoid high potassium products like Lo Salt, I think bananas are fine in moderation, I've never been advised otherwise. Ibuprofen is also one to avoid apparently. I've been told that the medication will be for life, there is a family history too.

@Hardertobreathe Yes. I had bloods taken about two weeks ago. Still waiting for results.

@TwoBlondes. Thanks for the suggestion - will have a look.

@Stickytreacle. I am pretty sure I'm for life as well.

@SlightlyJaded phone and ask the receptionist for the results. The surgery usually say to phone in a week for results & reception will be able to say if they are normal or say ‘speak to Dr’.
They actually only take a day or two to come back but the Drs then have to assess and write a note. If they are normal, chances are they won’t phone. No surgery has staff enough to phone 300 + odd people a week to tell them their results are fine.

Did they say to avoid grapefruit with Amlodipine?

Nothing about Grapefruit, although i think Dr. Google may have advised me to avoid it. I was honestly in and out in five mins which is why I have so many questions.

Ramipril is an ACE inhibitor so works via the kidneys. If anything it would increase potassium but doesn’t usually.
Amlodipine works in a different way.
The warning re grapefruit is wrt statins which from what you’ve said.
No need to take aspirin as the numbers needed to harm are much greater than the numbers needed to treat at the point you are at.
In terms of preventing DVT the clot in DVT is due to venous stasis not platelet aggregation which is what aspirin prevents