For those on Blood pressure Medication...

[dutchman063]

I see some of you are on BP meds and i was wondering what you all take for your BP?..
I was recently(last week) started on Atenolol for my BP, it was high 150/100 when i go see the doc yet its usually around 125-135/80-85 when im not at the docs..this medication makes me very lethargic, tired and sometimes dizzy... are all BP meds like this?...should i go and see if my doc can give me something else?... i,ve also heard of "whit coat syndrome" and am wondering if i have this and dont really need to be chained to these drugs in the first place..

thanks...

 

[H_T_]

nah, i'm taking Benicar. feel nothing except that i don't feel like my head is gonna explode when i SQ or DL now. it's a 20/12.5 mg pill, once a day. how old are ya? maybe it's something else??? but there a few people here that might be able to help you. i've been told that BP meds should not have sides. if they do, they need to be altered.

 

[lanky]

when you are feeling faint or lethargic after taking Atenolol take your BP immediatly, After administration sometimes BP drops significantly from high normal to hypostesive ( 98/62) this low BP can lead to poor perfusion of blood around the body leading to a feeling of lethargy. discuss with you primary or cardiologist. If this is impairing your daily functioning it is worth a visit to the doctor to alter dose or switch medication.

 

[guest username]

dutchman, when you are lethargic and dizzy, please take your pulse rate to make sure it's not in the 30's.

Beta-blockers work by lowering heart rate, reducing heart contractility, and having secondary effects on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

If you have a heart rate <50 while on the atenolol, you should call your physician promptly, who will likely recommend a different medication for you.

 

[whoa182]

When i have my blood pressure taken at the doctors it is significantly higher than what i have at home or anywhere else... I could even be quite active, sit down and take my bp and still be quite low!

My normal readings are aroudn 90/60 using a good BP monitor and when I'm at the doctors by blood pressure rises to about 120/80! A good sign that im anxious is looking at my pulse rate, which is typically around 90- 110 at the doctors, but around 45-50 at home. So even though I do not have high blood pressure to begin with, it's evident how much of an effect WCS can have. It's best to get mulitple readings done, spaced apart, when you feel more relaxed.