Does curing HepC lower blood pressure?

[GetOffMyLawn]

I'm two weeks away from completing Incivek triple therapy, and my viral load tests have been undetectable since week 4. Since a couple of months into treatment my blood pressure had dropped from an average of 140/90 to 110/80. For the past 15 years I've been treated for high blood pressure using Losartin. I haven't reduced the amount of my Losartin dosage while on my therapy, or changed my diet lost weight, or been able to exercise much.
Anyway, since by now thousands of HepC infected persons haven been cured, does anyone know about any studies  having been published on whether curing HepC improves blood pressure?  

[GetOffMyLawn]

I don't mean to be insulting, but the opening of your post suggest that you have specific knowledge of this issue, and if so please cite your authorities. I've appreciated those replies that described personal experiences, but to date I haven't been able to find any data (evidence not anecdotes) that either support or disprove such a corelation nor have I been referred to any studies. sorry to be brusque, but my post asked whether there were any new studies on this issue since thousands of people are now being cured of HepC. Until recently I could understand the dearth of authorities because the cure rate was so low, now I wonder why these studies aren't. Wing published.

[GetOffMyLawn]

Thanks for your reply. I'm puzzled. You say you don't think there's a correlation, then say while on therapy, and after, your blood pressure was low. Maybe I'm assuming it was high before therapy. So was your blood pressure normal before therapy. Otherwise your case supports my conjecture.
I agree stress may cause higher blood pressure, but when I retired from practicing family law for 28 years, 8 years ago, there was no change. I think most people exhibit white coat syndrome, which is why my doctor always takes two readings: one when my appt starts, and one just before it's over. The second reading is practically always better.

[GetOffMyLawn]

Thanks for your response. I never lost any weight on therapy, and in fact gained a few pounds. The Incivek programme requires you to eat twenty grams of fat with three doses each day. I've since lost that weight. Years ago I lost 60 lbs, but my blood pressure never normalized. I kept the weight off for five years, so in my particular case weight doesn't seem to be a factor. And when I went through ribaviram and alpha interferon, ten years ago, I was a null responder and had no change in blood pressure. So my current circumstances lead me to wonder if curing HepC helps lower blood pressure. Too bad there doesn't seem to be any studies yet on this conjecture, since thousands of us are now being cured.

[GetOffMyLawn]

Thanks for your response. Thanks for your well wishes. Can't comment on skin tag issue as I've always had a few but never many.

[AWorriedMom]

Medically speaking there is no connection between blood pressure and hepatitis C. I like Livelife's theory about anxiety and elevated bp. For those on bp meds, the ritonavir (Abt450r) will increase the action of many bp meds. I take Amlodipine and had to decrease my dose whole on treatment from 10mg to 5 mg. However, 3 months after treatment ended I had to go back up to 10mg.

[patra_]

Kim:  A good explanation, generally, because that can be so true!  I,  too, have had white coat syndrome.  And stress is a real bugbear!

However, I am not sure that works in these cases.  I was dx'd w/ HPB in Jan 09, during a period that I had pretty much forgotten about my hepc.  As I said above, I HAVE lost 17 lbs, but I weighed less than I do now when diagnosed/put on meds, so I can't attribute the lower BP to weight loss, I don't think.  

Just glad it IS lower, though, and hope it continues that way after end of tx (Dec 1!) And praying for SVR, for me and ALL of us!       Pat

[Livelife777]

I do not think there is any correlation between Hep C and blood pressure.
I do believe that prior to Tx, and while treating our blood pressure will be high due to anxiety.  
Perhaps as your near to finishing Tx, your somewhat more relaxed with less fears as your almost done.  You would be surprised how indirectly stress can affect our health.
You've not changed your exercise habits or diet but, has your Caffiene consumption changed in any way?  Some people tend to stay away from coffee during Tx believing its detrimental to SVR.
My blood pressure was low during and after Tx.  The only spikes I ever had were when "White Coat Syndrome" got the better of me.  Lets just hope yours continues to trend into a normal pattern.
Take Care
.....Kim

[patra_]

Dee:  Thank you for mentioning the skin tags!  My husband and I have been watching my skin closely as we definitely believe mine are also going away.  Wow, who'd a thought?

Pat

[Dee1956]

Hi there! Congratulations on getting through a tough tx, at least it was tough for me.  Yes, my blood pressure went down.  I never really thought about it but it definitely went down.
Another person on here asked if anyone has noticed skin tags going away, I had not thought about it but yes.
I think when our liver is better our entire body gets better
I am really happy for you.
Dee

[Ekkiemom]

Hello GOML....in my own personal experience it has lowered my blood pressure which is just how my body works on Tx and I lose my appetite as well. For the first time in many many yrs I was taken off of HBP meds be cuz I lost 50lbs. I was so excited but it wasn't the best way to do it...good luck and speedy SVR
DEB

[patra_]

Hi, GOFL.  That is a really interesting question!  One I have thought abou a couple of times since I have been on treatment (SolRiba).  I had decided to wait until I finished treatment to check any further, as, unlike you, I have changed my diet to a liver friendly one and, as a result, have lost weight, not exercising much, though.  

I will also be interested to see what others say on this issue.  

Congratulations on being so close to being though with treatment!

Wish you SVR and good health!  Pat