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HIgh BP & High Cholesterol & periodic chest pain

6 replies

siliconcover · 08/10/2025 11:51

Background:
I'm 58 (menopause age 55). 25 years ago I had lots of IVF. The substantial amount of meds at that time affected my joints (I am hypermobile) & I got SPD which has never resolved completely. I have nerve damage in lower legs / feet & mobilise on crutches. From that IVF I have 2 young people aged 21 & 18.
Both have considerable additional needs. My husband walked out.
It has been stressful. Over the years my weight crept up and in, 2018, at 20st I had Roux en Y on the NHS on the advice of my GP (as I also had sleep apnea)

By 2020 I weighed 10st. I was on iron infusions and fainting a lot. My leg pain was not diminished by my reduced weight and nor was the apnea. I felt really ill.
I've slowly regained weight and am now 17st (I never had any 'reflux/dumping' and I think my stomach has slowly stretched back). I eat pretty healthily & my portions are still normal. I no longer faint but require B12 jabs & vits for life.

Last 12m have been extremely stressful as my son was ill with a heart issue.
3m ago I woke up in the night with a searing pain in the ball of my right foot which 'travelled' up my leg and torso and my chest really pressured and hurt. I didn't call for advice as I assumed it was something random and wondered if I'd had a bad dream as I woke up. I then had days of bad headaches & feeling really off. I checked my BP and it was 207/115. I was told to check for 4 days & it was the same so went to A&E. They kept me overnight as they heard a sistolic ejection murmer, my pulse was 54, my BP was 200 and I had mild pericarditis.
Given 6 wks Colchicine, started on Ramipril, Felodipine & 80mg Atorvastatin.

I have since had a CT Angio which I am told is normal which is great news as there is a lot of CAD in my family. The Cardiologist says ongoing chest pressure / pain 'will definately be due to the Roux en Y' (but I've not had it for 7 years?)
It is not on exertion (though worse day after I have done too much). Worse overnight/ early morning. It's a pressing / squeezing that can be painful. I get a sob and dizzy. It happens in the evening too when I am at rest but not especially after 'a big meal' (as I don't). Stress makes it worse too. It's not panic as I am often asleep / dozing on sofa and perfectly relaxed. I was given GTN to use at the hospital & this helps a lot but Cardiologist says 'not angina if Angio clear'.

My BP has not been lower than 160/90 daily for the last 3m even on meds. My cholesterol is total 7.1, HDL 7.1, LDL 5 Triglycerides 3.31. I'm told it is 'weight or anxiety'. I will do my best to reduce my weight again & reduce any anxiety too.
My feeling is that my weight has slowly climbed back partly due to poss high cortisol from a stressful life (solo parenting of 2 YP with AN). I have an appt with a Metabolic clinic to ask about genetic testing for familal hypercholesterol.
GP will do a phone call in a month and Cardiology say a '6m monitoring call'.

If you have read through this essay, thank you.

Is there anything else I should be asking / trying to do here?

OP posts:
BellissimoGecko · 08/10/2025 16:08

I’m sorry to hear this. I’d be asking your GP what other meds they can try to get your BP down. That’s not sustainable.

siliconcover · 08/10/2025 16:44

@BellissimoGecko thank you for reading such a long post. I never had high BP at 20st or high cholesterol even though I was stressed then. I think it is perhaps a 'tipping point' of stress? but also strong family history of CAD/MI.
Both Ds & I have had Pericarditis in last 12m & he has high cholesterol too so I will be interested in the FH result when it comes.
I appreciate that high BP & high Chol with absence of CAD is not urgent but I'm tired of the chest pressure & pain (which can radiate to left arm/jaw too). I am glad I'm not high risk for a heart event but I feel that now it will all just be 'left'.

OP posts:
BellissimoGecko · 08/10/2025 18:11

If you’re not happy, then I suggest going back to the GP. Not being 100% happy with your BP won’t make it, or your stress, any better!

Greybeardy · 08/10/2025 19:41

sounds very much like my reflux (which is currently worse than usual as I'm heavier than usual and stressed). The reason that 'heartburn' is called that is that it's pretty hard to tell the difference between cardiac and GI discomfort sometimes. (GTN can also help with oesophageal/upper GI discomfort sometimes too). May be worth exploring getting back in touch with your bariatric surgeon just to make sure there's nothing they can think of to help with the symptoms.

siliconcover · 08/10/2025 21:19

@BellissimoGeckoI'll ask GP in my phone call end Nov (1st available)
@Greybeardythanks but my bariatric surgery was 7 years ago. I was sent out of area (my area doesn't do it) so surgeon long gone & no NHS support post 5 years anyway. I don't get heartburn, I never did. I had scans & an endoscopy 3 years ago & all normal.

OP posts:
siliconcover · 29/01/2026 17:17

BP still around 155/90 on a daily basis despite now 10mg Ramipril & 5mg Felodipine. The chest pressure & spasm pain continues on an almost daily basis (mostly at night) & still getting some weird pains in arms/ back/ pins & needles.
I sleep with bed raised, take omeprazole, eat a small meal no later than 6pm.
I've lost 2st since the autumn but no improvement as yet & I certainly wasn't getting any of these symptoms 5 years ago at 10st.
Cardiology 'has no suggestions' therefore nor does my GP.

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