Blood pressure medication

[Sarvanga38]

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.

I was admitted to hospital when I took Ramipril. I didn’t realise what it was making me feel so ill. I thought I had a stomach bug or something. I was lying on the sofa at home when the phone rang. It was the GP with the results of my blood tests. I had high potassium and low sodium caused by the Ramipril.

I’ve been taking Bendroflumethiazide since Friday and I feel ill again.

Were they not giving you blood tests?

I am about to try my 5th BP drug. All are giving me bad side effects. The current one has decided that vicious hot flushes are it's side effect of choice. Previous ones were grossly swollen ankles, nightmares, broken nights from excess urine production and not working at all!

I have no weight to lose, exercise 30 minutes a day most days and eat healthily. It's really not fair!!

Yes, I’d had bloods taken on Ramipril and they rang me with the results.

I’m having bloods taken tomorrow.

I’m sorry you’re in the same boat. My BP isn’t horrendously high but I’ve had three Branch Retinal Vein Occlusions in my left eye, so the GP wants my BP down.

Hi all. Interesting reading. I am monitoring BP a bit at home as seems to be in the level 1 Hypertension zone where Google tells me lifestyle changes are the thing. I do need to lose some weight but age, sedentary job and little time doesn't help. I don't drink very often at all and dont smoke and am pescetarian. I do walk to work every day but that's only twenty mins.

I have started having beetroot juice most days as it is meant to help blood pressure. Has anyone else tried that long term? I really don't want meds because of potential side effects so really sorry did those of you who have suffered badly with that. I will try harder to lose some weight

I did try beetroit juice but it didn't have much effect on me.

I now have two drinks of hibiscus tea a day ' hard to distinguish its effects from exercise etc but it tastes nice anyway.

Thanks for reply. I'm wasn't aware of hibiscus tea so may try that too.

I’m on a few Facebook groups for diabetes and high blood pressure which are very informative