I am a 19 year old female who was diagnosed with high blood pressure a month ago. At first I was prescribed amlodipine (2.5mg), but it gave me heart palpitations. Then I was prescribed lisinopril (2.5mg), but it gave me chest pains, lower torso pains, and pains "down there" (these pains were short and sharp yet dull) . (I took both of those medications during the day). Now I have been taking Bystolic (2.5mg), but at night to avoid side effects because I am a full time college student and I need to be awake and focused during class lol(though for like the first three days I woke up with a little shortness of breath). The only thing is it doesn't drop my blood pressure throughout the day like the others and today my blood pressure has been elevated causing my chest pains and slight tremors to come back. I am kind of afraid to take it during the day because I don't know how it would affect me. So I have a couple questions, what medication you would refer to a 19 year old who has a clean medical history? Why you think I may have had the adverse side effect I had in the past or what ingredient that's in those two medications you think I may be allergic to? What are the "safest" (I know no drug is truly safe to take, especially these ones) blood pressure medications? Also, how long do side effects last and if the effects went away after a few days because I was sleep and didn't know will they come back if I take the bystolic in the day time?
Yikes. Well, first, there are dozens of different BP drugs to try, until you find one that works for you. You tried amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, which a lot of people don’t like. You tried lisinpril, an ACE/ARB, which often has minor side-effects. You tried Bystolic, a new beta blocker, which often has minor side-effects at low doses and more side-effects as the doses increase. Another thing to try, and perhaps the least likely to cause side-effects, is a diuretic - hctz being about the most generic.
Of course it’s unusual to have high BP at a young age. How can I ask this, um, could it be weight related?
All I can offer is to keep trying new stuff. I’ve had pretty good luck with olmesartan, an ACE/ARB. I also take some atenolol, an older beta blocker, it doesn’t bother me at all awake, actually it bothers me more asleep as it makes me dream! I also take a tiny dose, 12.5mg/day, which is about 1/4 of a normal minimum dose. For me, that works great.
Of course follow dietary guidelines for BP, make sure you get at least a modest amount of exercise, and perhaps over time you can do without the drugs again.
How high is your blood pressure at home, monitoring during the day? How high was it before you started medications? Did you have a 24 hr bp monitor? i know the usa has different methods, so cannot comment, except to say that doctors would be very unlikely here in the uk to prescribe 3 different medications over just one month. All medications take time to adjust to, and to work.Also, there are other types of ACE, and there are ARBs, and other medications than beta blockers. And, if you had side effects, was it discussed with you to try reducing the doses?
Bystolic is what in the uk is called Nebivolol and in the uk it is usually used for older people who need to keep their pulse rate lower due to various issues older people get. I thought that was its main function. It has an added function in that it can lower bp as well, but it does not lower mine much. I use less than half of what you are using and still have side effects, but have to use it., as i am older. But you are young, and you have probably seen, on this forum, how difficult is can be to stop beta blockers, i would have a detailed talk with your doctor regarding your options.
That’s such a young age to have HBP. Have they looked for a cause.
Why have you not researched into lowering your blood pressure naturally? Especially at your age. There are so many ways to lower you bp.
What high is your be?
To have high BP at your age suggests to me that you should be investigated first and not sent on a roundabout of trying one drug then another. When I was 24 a routine medical at college recorded 245 / 130. It took 8 weeks of inpatient hospital tests to figure it out. Have you had blood tests?
Hello, how high is your bp? What do your parents say? Does bp run in the family? Do you exercise? How is your diet? Are there other medical issues? Exercise a few days per week for 30-60 minutes a day will help lower your bp. What is causing the rise in your bp? Stress, anxiety? It is difficult to offer suggestions without more details. You can lower your bp with exercise and diet. At 19, with good health what is causing the elevation?
Totally agree. It is difficult to offer suggestions without more info. Very glad that you are doing well Conns. 245/130 and still kicking, good job! What have you done to help get things under control? Rxs, lifestyle changes, surgery? Again good job!
Okay, let’s not freak out the 19 year old.
Exactly, we need a bit more info before being able to make suggestions.
Hi,
The eventual DX was Conn’s Syndrome. Considered rare at the time but now much more common although difficult to DX. If anyone is struggling with resistant hypertension you must get checked out for Primary Aldosteronism aka Conn’s. For me, it was suggested that I undergo a Sub-Total Adrenalectomy in 1977 although today, with Bilateral Disease (which is what I had), you are no better off with surgery. The surgery did’t fix things. Consequently the key has been to negate the affects of the excess Aldosterone with drugs, and engage in the DASH diet which helps to ensure you hit your 4700 mg potassium. The reason you must do this is that Aldosterone holds on to sodium and excreets the potassium causing a major electrolyte imbalance. My case (I’m 67) is unusual in that my survival has been fairly long term having been told in 1977 that you usually see this in autopsy! In September 2018 I presented my Case Study to the American Heart & Hypertension Conference held in Chicago alongside my US doctor from Wisconsin (I’m in the UK so very grateful to have him onboard as he trained with Professor Conn who first discovered the syndrome in the late 1950’s / early 60’s).
i remember you were going to chicago. is your presentation on you tube by any chance?
VeeWat,
No I’m afraid it isn’t. Hoping to publish in the US or UK at some point.
Paul
Nope not at all weight related since I’m 5’6.5 and 120 lbs. I do excecise and I have been doing it more since all of this has been happening. The bystolic seemingly has a minor side effect but I have made an appointment with my doctor for next week about it and hopefully that side effect is gone by then. Thank you for your suggestions!
I check my BP three times a day, morning mid day, and night time, before the meds it was around +125/+85 . It’s called the same thing in the US I just like saying Bystolic lol. The medications have worked in lowering my bp, including this one, I’ve just had side effects that most wouldn’t have. I’m sorry that your medicine is causing some side effects though you have to take it. prayers to you.
I have no idea. I also think that I have been having it for a couple years now because I remember my pediatrician telling me and my mom that it was pretty high for my age I was probably around 14 at the time. I don’t really get it since I don’t entirely bad and back then I exercised way more. I think stressed may have caused it.
I think I have had it for years since I remember my pediatrician telling me to watch out for that but it just started affecting my body a few months ago. I eat relatively healthy, always have and I am 5’6 120lbs and exercise every week. I think stress may have caused it I don’t really know. Believe me I have researched so much that I had to be told by my parents to stop so it doesn’t worry me into the ground. I am tapping into my own methods of naturally lowering it. Before I was on the meds, I tried eating nothing but fruits and vegetables and it was lower but not low enough (around 120-125/80-90.
I’ve had multiple blood tests and all came out fine. They checked my kidneys, magnesium levels, B12 levels, etc. all came out fine.
Oh my that’s scary. Yes, I have had MULTIPLE blood tests testing various things and they all came out fine. They also checked my thyroid and it was good.
I exercise 5 days a week +30 minutes a day nothing but cardio. I have a healthy diet and everything. I think it just… happened over the course of time. My parents don’t really know what happened. My mom has hbp she got it when she got pregnant with me. my dad has both hc and hbp but he just doesn’t eat healthy lol so idk. It was probably caused by stress I was also depressed a few years ago and am just now really coming up from it.