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Original poster

Blood pressure medication

59 replies

Sarvanga38 · 28/02/2024 15:50

I am currently being a complete ostrich about the fact that my blood pressure is too high, but the GP is now going to force my hand by requiring a 7-day blood pressure diary, or I suspect they won't renew my HRT prescription.

I accept that I just need to bite the bullet and provide the information, but just wanted to get a couple of things straight in my head:

  • Is blood pressure medication 'for life', or if I reduce my not inconsiderable weight, get fitter and it reduces, will I be able to come off it?
  • Will this mean I need to stop HRT?

Many thanks for any info.

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 28/02/2024 15:52

BP meds are often for life but you can usually do things to help your BP,losing weight really helped mine.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 28/02/2024 16:01

As far as I know you can take HRT if your BP is controlled.

tobee · 28/02/2024 19:14

What do you worry about, feel antipathetic to blood pressure meds?

Itscatsallthewaydown · 28/02/2024 19:19

If you reduce your BP through other methods (like losing weight, cutting down on the booze etc), then you may well be able to stop medication in the future. Hypertension can be a killer though, so it is very important to get that BP down.

Brandnewskytohangyourstarsupon · 28/02/2024 19:20

HRT stopped due to raised BP here.
BP tablet, one a day, BP down to normal with this, HRT back…Bobs your uncle.

Peri meno makes it fucking impossible to shift the weight so a pill a day it is.

Probably for life.
Really not keen on stroke or cardiac disease so I’m doing what I need to do and can do for myself.

Getting old, it’s SHITE.

Chewbecca · 28/02/2024 19:21

My BP is controlled with meds and I am on HRT.

Maybeicanhelpyou · 28/02/2024 19:26

Getting old does not need to be SHIITE!!
But You do need a positive attitude. You need to exercise regularly and keep your weight down.
And yes it is possible to reduce your weight and improve your health so you can come off your blood pressure medications.

Original poster
Sarvanga38 · 28/02/2024 21:45

Thanks all. I know I need to stop ignoring it and hoping it will go away.😡

OP posts:
MadamVastra · 28/02/2024 21:47

exercise really helps with blood pressure

Wizzadorra70 · 28/02/2024 21:48

I've been on BP meds since my early 30s (genetic) and am still on a really low dose. No side effects, and no issue taking them. Having cared for stroke victims, I do as the Dr advises me to more than happily.

KatyMac · 29/02/2024 08:33

My blood pressure fluctuates so much, I don't have a clue what is going on & I suspect my hrt would be at risk too

Before peri it was very low

I'm doing the 7 day thing (only I'm two weeks in and I've 'forgotten' to give it in in the hope it will go down)

Does the medication have many side effects?

Forhecksake · 29/02/2024 08:39

Medication is a bit of trial and error, to be honest. I ended up sticking with the third one I tried because the first two were terrible.

My BP always goes up in the winter when I can't exercise (cold triggers my asthma badly) but it improves in warmer months.

HowDoWeDoThisPlease · 29/02/2024 08:46

KatyMac · 29/02/2024 08:33

My blood pressure fluctuates so much, I don't have a clue what is going on & I suspect my hrt would be at risk too

Before peri it was very low

I'm doing the 7 day thing (only I'm two weeks in and I've 'forgotten' to give it in in the hope it will go down)

Does the medication have many side effects?

I started on bisoprolol a few months ago (not the usual first line bp med group, but I have an long standing elevated heart rate, and GP figured try and kill two birds with one stone type thing). Theres been no side effects at all, and it’s worked really well at controlling my bp (even on a low dose), and my pulse rate is slightly slower too, so win win for me. My neighbour didn’t do well with the first med he was prescribed, but has not had any issues with the one they changed him to.

Ive remained on HRT.

I know a few people who have made big life changes, lost weight and got fitter, and reduced or stopped various medications, including bp meds, so it’s perfectly possible.

KatyMac · 29/02/2024 08:53

When I say fluctuates I mean within like 10 minutes and hugely!!

My family think I can 'will' it down!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 29/02/2024 08:59

BP does fluctuate,take it at the same time daily and 3 times with 5 mins in between each reading,disregard the first reading and record the lowest. No food or talking before taking it.

KatyMac · 29/02/2024 09:06

I've been doing morning and evening and the time hasn't been consistent- but it's like 188/83 vs 114/69 ( only had one that high its mainly around 135) maybe 10 mins apart

I'll have to pick a time and try to be consistent

LoveSandbanks · 29/02/2024 09:11

Maybeicanhelpyou · 28/02/2024 19:26

Getting old does not need to be SHIITE!!
But You do need a positive attitude. You need to exercise regularly and keep your weight down.
And yes it is possible to reduce your weight and improve your health so you can come off your blood pressure medications.

I have high blood pressure. I’m a runner and currently training for a marathon. My weight isn’t significantly higher than it should be. I barely drink or eat ultra processed foods or caffeine yet still have high blood pressure.

it’s not always lifestyle related.

fwiw, my gp put me on blood pressure medication without taking me off hrt.

Hoplolly · 29/02/2024 09:25

I am on blood pressure meds for life due to chronic hypertension. I lost weight, got down to a super healthy BMI, made lifestyle changes etc etc nothing made a difference, it runs in my family.

With regard to HRT your blood pressure needs to be controlled/stable. I was given HRT without any concern but I do check it regularly myself.

HPFA · 29/02/2024 09:40

Exercise does lower it - the BP medication used to keep it at around 130/85 but after starting a serious exercise programme it's now regularly around 110/70.

The spikiness is so irritating though. I take mine every couple of days without looking at the results (this is the only way I can do it without uncontrollable anxiety) - then every month or so I review them. Most days it's around 110/70 but there's always the odd couple of days when it's up around 150/160.

I'm on 10mg Lisinopril with manageable side-effects - I need to drink a lot of water when exercising or going for a vigorous walk but that's it. Apart from the beneficial one that it really improved my migraines!

Original poster
Sarvanga38 · 29/02/2024 12:05

I'm doing the 7 day thing (only I'm two weeks in and I've 'forgotten' to give it in in the hope it will go down)

Yeah. I've tried to log on the link they sent this morning and it's expired. Sigh. Will get another and be a grown up.

OP posts:
Elphame · 29/02/2024 14:36

Maybeicanhelpyou · 28/02/2024 19:26

Getting old does not need to be SHIITE!!
But You do need a positive attitude. You need to exercise regularly and keep your weight down.
And yes it is possible to reduce your weight and improve your health so you can come off your blood pressure medications.

I have NO risk factors and still apparently have high BP. It's definitely not always lifestyle to blame.

I am also held to ransom over HRT to take the medication.

jamswell · 29/02/2024 14:38

I've been on both for years. No problem

MarchHare339 · 19/03/2025 20:29

Old thread but trying to revive it. I have been on two different medications. First one gave me puffy ankles and bleeding gums. Second is giving me agonising arthritis in some of my fingers, something I have never had before. I’m in despair. I hate taking it and have an appointment to see a herbalist next week in the hope that will help.
Has this happened to anyone else?

Mindymomo · 19/03/2025 20:52

MarchHare339 · 19/03/2025 20:29

Old thread but trying to revive it. I have been on two different medications. First one gave me puffy ankles and bleeding gums. Second is giving me agonising arthritis in some of my fingers, something I have never had before. I’m in despair. I hate taking it and have an appointment to see a herbalist next week in the hope that will help.
Has this happened to anyone else?

I tried 2 different medications before the one I’m on now Perindopril 2mg and have been for over 10 years.

MarchHare339 · 19/03/2025 21:09

Mindymomo · 19/03/2025 20:52

I tried 2 different medications before the one I’m on now Perindopril 2mg and have been for over 10 years.

Show quote history

Thanks. That gives me hope. I hate taking drugs anyway and this has really upset me.