Blood pressure & medication

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Posted on behalf of my DP, 46 male, non smoker, non drinker, healthy bmi, fairly active, he was told his bp wouldn’t really significantly drop with any lifestyle changes - the only thing would be eating somewhat healthier but his diet isn’t terrible anyway but he does have some stressors in his life.

after a recent trip to minor injuries for a hand injury he learnt his bp is high - they checked it there which led to him having a monitor from the gp and his average was 150/105. Gp was concerned over his bottom number more than the top.

was started on amlodopine (not sure on correct spelling) within a few hours it caused an intense migraine and has had pretty bad headaches for the 2 weeks he took it. He was told that this could happen but should subside.

after 2 weeks, he couldn’t take the headaches anymore, thankfully the gp fit him in that day (Monday) and they changed him to ramipril! They said they are sure the headaches are from the first drug and it should subside.

He only took this for the first ramipril today!

but it’s been a few days of not taking the initial medication and his headache still won’t fully go. I know it can take a while to leave your system but he’s had to go sick from work - that never happens, he isn’t someone who goes sick unless absolutely necessary

anyone been through this? Any advice? The head pain is getting him down. He’s been taking paracetamol and trying to drink lots of water, he’s had the week off work so he’s been watching tv trying to rest!

i am really worried about him! We’ve had a really tough year generally and I just want him back to himself. He has suffered with migraines for many years but they aren’t very frequent anymore, generally he is in good health and in his words has never had a headache like he has today!

I was a bit like your husband OP no obvious risk factors and very fit and active when at 50 I found out my blood pressure was through the roof 221/128 after I suffered a sudden loss of sight in one eye from a retinal vein occlusion. The next year was spent trying a variety of blood pressure drugs in combination to stabilise my BP. The single worst drug I ever tried was Amlodipine. Constant headaches, swollen ankles, feeling exhausted all the time, flushed and hot and serious depression to the point I said I'd rather die from my BP than continue this awful drug. Ended up on a Losartan /Bendroflumethiazide combo which has kept me pretty stable with minimal side effects. I believe the headaches, are to do with the effect the meds have on your blood vessels.

The worsening headache does sound concerning. It can take a bit for a drug to totally clear your system but he shouldn't be getting worse. If it's really bad consider A&E surely better safe than sorry?

Oh and OP I should have said before - the NHS are kind of obliged to try you on all the cheapest drugs first in case they are OK. If they have intolerable side effects you need to keep going back, in my case again and again until you get what works for you!

Rampiril is an ACE inhibitor which are, also notorious for giving people headaches and a constant cough. My sister took this for a while before she could get changed to a better drug for her. So it may be that it is the Rampiril that's the problem rather than the residual effects of the Amlodipine.

Getting blood pressure stabilised can be a long and difficult process!

Thank you, I don’t think he ever thought it would be like this. Most of my own family are on bp meds (I’m not, yet?!) and had no issues but this is something else!

I am sorry you had a tough time finding the right treatment for you and thanks for your informative reply!

as well as the hideous headaches he had on amlodopine, it also didn’t work at all, the gp said he should have somewhat of a reduction in his numbers after 2 weeks but they were the same. We will see how ramipril goes!

he’s just taken a hot bath - not sure if it’s the right thing to do but he does feel a kitties better. He does get headaches as well as migraines anyway but it’s the continuous pain for over 2 weeks now we are concerned about!

thanks again!

High blood pressure itself can cause intense headaches, does he habe a home monitor? Can he check it?

the issue with amlodipene is it can cause rebound blood pressure when you stop, so his bp could spike up,

all the bp meds are difficult to be honest, I was on amlodipene and losartum together , and had to have regular blood tests due to the impact from them. Fortunately I was fine, but there is always a risk.

i guess he is doing all the basics, like drinking 3 litres of water a day and going low sodium?

I'm on ramipril and have no side effects, it has reduced my blood pressure and actually got rid of the headaches I used to have. You must not take ibuprofen or decongestants - sudafed etc.- with it though, so if he ever uses those for headache relief it would not be the best drug to be on - you can develop micro clots which can give TIA or stroke.

Would recommend returning to the doctor.

Would also recommend buying a blood pressure monitor (upper arm) for home use. Can give a quick reassurance or a warning.

Thanks both, we have a monitor at home ☺️

Low sodium?
One of the things I read about ramipril was to not use low sodium salt replacements... They increase potassium apparently.
Blood pressure monitor is a good idea. They're not dear.

Remember NHS 111 is there to ask for advice.

Yes low salt. My doctor told me to reduce salt. I wasn’t on rampiril though, I didn’t mean use low sodium substitutes, more reduce your salt in your diet.

May or may not be helpful, but I have two friends that regularly eat beetroot as a way to lower their blood pressure and both of them say it is effective. Could be a load of crock - but hey, maybe its worth a go?

I have heard of this a lot and will bear it in mind, not a fan myself but dp likes it!