Blood pressure won't come down.

[Sideburnt]

For a number of years my blood pressure has been consistently around 145 / 85.

I've been taking Ramipril 10mg for around 2 years which I take in the evening recently I've added a secondary tablet for the morning. Lercanidipine.

Problem being neither of these have made any difference.

I'm following this up with my healthcare team, but my question is whether anyone has had similar experiences with blood pressure and diabetes? Has there been anything that made a difference for you?

I'm in my mid 40s, exercise 3 times a week, I'm not overweight and I eat a low carb. I don't smoke and drink maybe every other day a double of spirits.

 

[EllieM]

I've been on bp tablets for over 30 years but occasionally managed to reduce them with exercise and weight loss. My bp levels are fine, with the medication. But I do know that there are very many different types of bp meds out there, so would hope that one would work for you.

Have you checked with a monitor at home? Some people get "white coat" syndrome and have artificially high levels when tested by a medical professional...

 

[Melgar]

@Sideburnt if you don’t mind me asking what type of exercise are you doing? I’m on Ramipril 5mg. I have been increasing my exercise regime to counter my slowly rising BS. Since increasing my exercise and doing more weights my BP has dropped to around 110/60 , sometimes lower. I may have to come off them.
Interval training can also help, ie slow jogging then a quick sprint and then back to jogging and then repeat. I say this however, I would also suggest you speak to your Dr , maybe a different type of BP med. I seem to recall some work differently. I have my own BP monitor so I can check a couple of times a week.

 

[Sideburnt]

I run. 3 times a week.
3.5 mile at a fast pace, then hill training and a slower longer run somewhere around 6 miles.

 

[Sideburnt]

I've been on bp tablets for over 30 years but occasionally managed to reduce them with exercise and weight loss. My bp levels are fine, with the medication. But I do know that there are very many different types of bp meds out there, so would hope that one would work for you.

Have you checked with a monitor at home? Some people get "white coat" syndrome and have artificially high levels when tested by a medical professional...

I have been yes. I'm keeping a 2 week log of my morning and evening levels at home ahead of another appointment and this is where I've noticed that my blood pressure hasn't dropped even though I'm on a second medicine.

I guess I'm just disappointment and a tiny bit worried that there is some underlying problem.

 

[searley]

I’m currently on [emoji6] bp medications and still have high BP in the [emoji6][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]/[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]] region

This has already caused left ventricular hypertrophy

 

[lawrence21360]

I have been yes. I'm keeping a 2 week log of my morning and evening levels at home ahead of another appointment and this is where I've noticed that my blood pressure hasn't dropped even though I'm on a second medicine.

I guess I'm just disappointment and a tiny bit worried that there is some underlying problem.

its important to totally relax for about 5 mnutes before taking the reading at .home is besti found that after the first and second reading the third was significantly lower.

 

[Sideburnt]

its important to totally relax for about 5 mnutes before taking the reading at .home is besti found that after the first and second reading the third was significantly lower.

Unfortunately this is 100% what I'm doing. I do two just to make sure the reading is accurate and only after I've been sitting in bed for 10 mins morning and evening.

During the day the readings are higher still

 

[Melgar]

@Sideburnt its possible you may have become anxious when checking your blood pressure, which maybe impacting your BP? A vicious circle. Maybe ask your GP for a 24 hour blood pressure cuff so they can monitor your BP over a 24 hour Period.

 

[Sideburnt]

@Sideburnt its possible you may have become anxious when checking your blood pressure, which maybe impacting your BP? A vicious circle. Maybe ask your GP for a 24 hour blood pressure cuff so they can monitor your BP over a 24 hour Period.

That's a pretty good suggestion, it would check for anything else out of the ordinary too perhaps.

 

[Prancy]

My mom’s primary says it’s quite common for someone to require 2 kinds of BP meds. I had no idea. Have you inquired from your doctor if you need a larger dose of meds?

Have you tried a low sodium diet? That’s really difficult because so many things have sodium.

Also, one of friends who had considerable high BP stopped drinking alcohol and says it went away and her BP is now normal. That’s rough to do though, as I enjoy having a few drinks on the weekend.

 

[Outlier]

A glass of red wine lowers mine. We are all different! Mind you, that's one small glass a few times a month, so probably drinking more wouldn't work.

 

[Jo123]

That's a pretty good suggestion, it would check for anything else out of the ordinary too perhaps.

And also it would see if your blood pressure goes down at night. This is called a nocturnal dip and is a very good thing according to my cardiologist and reduces the risks of high blood pressure.