Blood pressure continuing post partum

[LMC964]

My blood pressure went up towards the end of pregnancy, then shot up post partum, resulting in a scary trip to A&E and much anxiety. 15 months on, I’m still on medication, and have had heart scans, kidney scans, so many blood tests. I’m fit and healthy, don’t smoke or drink, and I’m very slim. This was my 4th baby and no blood pressure issues previously. The medication I’m on is a fairly low dose, but it’s not controlling it well enough, so I think I need a higher dose. The whole thing makes me so anxious and is on my mind so much. Anyone with similar experience please? I am not seeking medical advice, just reassurance I guess that I’m not alone. Thanks so much

I had pregnancy induced hypertension which didn’t resolve. I’ve been taking meds for 20yrs. My consultant explained that although my BP was top end of normal, prolonged high BP causes damage to the cardiovascular system vascular system and kidneys, so meds were continued to prevent the long term damage and reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.
I was able to reduce the number of meds but side effects meant that I restarted a couple of them. So I take 3 BP meds but only one is to control BP the other two reduce fluid retention cause by first one and the third one is to stop ectopic heart beats.

Although they took me off my blood pressure tablets some months after I'd given birth (6 months maybe more, can't remember exactly)
I was back on them when she was 5 and quite sure that I'd been having extremely high blood pressure for the years in between as it was very very high when it was picked up again and I'm sure my migraines were because of it.
I guess with some people once you've had it it may not disappear

@purpleme12 Thank you so much for replying. Mine was extremely high too. Is yours under control again now, if you don’t mind me asking?

@Angrymum22 Thank you so much, that’s really useful. I think I probably need to up/ alter medication. Is yours now controlled and do you feel well? :)

I'm similar to previous posters. High blood pressure/pre-eclampsia at end of pregnancy. My blood pressure did go back down for a year or two. But as soon as I went on the contraceptive pill it went back up. Stopped that and it came back down for a bit again. But with 4 years of giving birth it was high and needs medication permanently now.

@Ramblingaway thank you, that’s interesting as I have had a coil fitted and it definitely went up after that annoyingly, I’ve tried persevering as periods were soooo heavy, but may need to have it removed. Thanks again :) has everyone found a medication that suits without side effects?

At first when it was picked back up it took them a few months to find the right medicine it bring it back under control. I had ECG and kidney ultrasound as well. Since then I have 6 monthly check ups with the hospital. My last reading at my doctor's (doctors like to do it too) was high so I went to doctors again today actually but today it was how it should be. So hopefully I'm stable!

My DS is 20 so I’ve been medicated for 20yrs. It has been fine most of the time and a few years ago they did reduce the number of tablets I was taking but then I was diagnosed with breast cancer and the meds I take post treatment have caused it to go up again. So I’m back on the original meds, although the diuretic is to help with the side effects of the cancer drug.
I need to lose some weight and that will probably destabilise the bp.
We've had a crap few years with my breast cancer, my DH had a stroke and late last year we lost my younger sister so I think my bp was a little unstable due to all the stress.
I started on an ACE inhibitor once I finished breast feeding which was much better than the beta blocker I was on originally. I take a calcium channel blocker because the ACE inhibitor causes some ectopic heart beats and a diuretic, initially because my ankles were swelling but now to help with the fluid that collects in my joints, a side effect of Anastrazole.
I’m also now taking statins because my cholesterol shot up, another side effect of Anastrazole. On the positive side statins have been shown to reduce some forms of cancer, including breast cancer, they may be added to the list of post cancer drugs in the future.
Im not ready to die just yet so I’m happy to take the meds.