High BP AND HRT

[girlofthenorth]

Has anyone had to come off HRT due to high BP?
I've been on some form of HRT for 4 years currently using the last of my patches then going onto Gel and Utrogesteron tablets . My BP spikes high now and again but GP says it's average normal limits - retest in a year . I'm anxious because I know someone who had a stroke on HRT . So more worried than I'd normally be I think .

Transdermal HRT does not increase risk of stroke (this is in all the medical guidelines and am sure you can find it with a quick google :) )

It does not increase your risk any more than your own base risk (with no HRT.)

Have you any idea why you get high BP? You can buy a BP machine to use at home- rally cheap- and test yourself.

It would be impossible to say if the person you know had a stroke due to HRT or was at risk of a stroke anyway.

The dose of HRT is far lower than the Pill, and strokes with it are very rare. Stroke with HRT is very very rare indeed and if someone under 60 had a stroke it is unlikely it would be the HRT, more that they had always had high BP and other risk factors (weight, smoking, lack of exercise , genetics.)

Thank you ....sorry to be stupid , is the Progesterone tablet the same risk as the transdermal . ? I can't seem to find much about that .

Thanks feel reassured a bit, though sadly I know the friends family and they were told it was probably due to HRT , but as you say, I have no idea of any other risk factors or indeed familial risk factors, so I need to calm down. I have a family history of hypertension so I think that's what has set my anxiety off.

Transdermal is what is rubbed on your skin or is in a patch. So a patch is all transdermal, gel is and Utrogestan is not. Micronised progesterone is very safe- it's given in huge doses as fertility treatment ( like 3 x the HRT dose.)

I don't know the stats for proven stroke in women on HRT but for anyone under 60 it's pretty much unheard of, but that's why they advise changing to transdermal from age 60+.

What are you trying to control your blood pressure? Are you exercising at least 30 mins a day, healthy weight, no smoking, loads of fruit and veg and fibre? All these reduce BP.

It's normal for BP to fluctuate anyway but my Dr advised me to get a BP monitor which only cost about £30 and I test my BP in the morning and later in the evening each day and bring the readings with me when I get my repeat prescription of HRT.
It tranpsires that I have 'White Coat' syndrome which sends my BP into oblivion when being tested in the surgery (135/95) but is completely normal at home (120/80) :D

JinglingHellsBells yes eat really healthily, exercise with 30 mins walking most days and try to swim once a week .
WendyE yes I know what you mean , I think I have white coat syndrome too !