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Hi, I Am Currently On Medication For High Blood Pressure
Posted on
Fri, 10 May 2019
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 10 May 2019
Answered on
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi, I am currently on medication for high blood pressure i.e. amlodipine 10mg and Ramipril 1mg.
I am currently suffering from anxiety with physical symptons of lightheadedness and tension, and was started by my GP on Propanolol (2 x 40mg) last Saturday. For the first 2 days of taking them I felt ok but now the lightheads and wobbly feeling have gotten a lot worse. Should I be feeling like this still?
I am currently suffering from anxiety with physical symptons of lightheadedness and tension, and was started by my GP on Propanolol (2 x 40mg) last Saturday. For the first 2 days of taking them I felt ok but now the lightheads and wobbly feeling have gotten a lot worse. Should I be feeling like this still?
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to 'Ask a Doctor' service!
I understand your concern and would like to explain that before deciding the right strategy how to prevent those unpleasant symptoms (like lightheadedness and tension) it is necessary to understand any possible cause lying behind the anxiety disorder.
- Sometimes, uncontrolled hypertension may be manifested with similar symptomatology. If you have noted unstable high blood pressure values, I would recommend to closely monitor your BP values for a couple of days up to a week. If such is the case optimization of the current therapy would be required.
- Other organ disorders may be expressed with hypertension, anxiety, lightheadedness, etc. Thyroid and adrenal glands dysfunction should be evaluated in such a case. Treating any of those organ dysfunctions would resolve the underlying symptomatology.
- In addition, also those symptoms may be an expression of potential adverse effects of antihypertensive medications (including amlodipine, ramipril). If your symptoms are more pronounced after drugs intake and have not been present before the current therapy initiation, then there is high suspicion of such an alternative. If this is the case it would be necessary switching to another alternative scheme.
- A primary neurological disorder may be the underlying cause too. This could be investigated by a careful neurological examination.
Propranolol could help to relieve anxiety bouts, but if a persistent cause exists, it should be promptly diagnosed and treated.
Hope to have clarified your issues of concern!
In case of any further questions, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to 'Ask a Doctor' service!
I understand your concern and would like to explain that before deciding the right strategy how to prevent those unpleasant symptoms (like lightheadedness and tension) it is necessary to understand any possible cause lying behind the anxiety disorder.
- Sometimes, uncontrolled hypertension may be manifested with similar symptomatology. If you have noted unstable high blood pressure values, I would recommend to closely monitor your BP values for a couple of days up to a week. If such is the case optimization of the current therapy would be required.
- Other organ disorders may be expressed with hypertension, anxiety, lightheadedness, etc. Thyroid and adrenal glands dysfunction should be evaluated in such a case. Treating any of those organ dysfunctions would resolve the underlying symptomatology.
- In addition, also those symptoms may be an expression of potential adverse effects of antihypertensive medications (including amlodipine, ramipril). If your symptoms are more pronounced after drugs intake and have not been present before the current therapy initiation, then there is high suspicion of such an alternative. If this is the case it would be necessary switching to another alternative scheme.
- A primary neurological disorder may be the underlying cause too. This could be investigated by a careful neurological examination.
Propranolol could help to relieve anxiety bouts, but if a persistent cause exists, it should be promptly diagnosed and treated.
Hope to have clarified your issues of concern!
In case of any further questions, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you.
What would be expected adverse effects of the BP medications?
Also, what do you mean by a neurological disorder?
What would be expected adverse effects of the BP medications?
Also, what do you mean by a neurological disorder?
Brief Answer:
Opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I would explain that symptoms like dizziness, headache, lightheadedness, etc. may also be caused by antihypertensive drugs, especially when associated with the therapy.
But there are several types of headaches (like a tension headache that may give similar complaints. In such a case, a careful review of your clinical symptomatology by a neurologist would be advisable. Stressful situations and anxiety may trigger such disorders.
Wishing you good health!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I would explain that symptoms like dizziness, headache, lightheadedness, etc. may also be caused by antihypertensive drugs, especially when associated with the therapy.
But there are several types of headaches (like a tension headache that may give similar complaints. In such a case, a careful review of your clinical symptomatology by a neurologist would be advisable. Stressful situations and anxiety may trigger such disorders.
Wishing you good health!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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