Hypertension

Hi can hypertension cause symptoms, i have dizzines etc..Nausea i have a cuff a home, am 43 and obese :(.. trying to loose weight, i feel light headed alot and vertigo..My Bp readings are 150 highest 100 or 90 or so. Generally feeling crap really. They say no symptoms silent killer etc...But i am not sure what else it can be.....It feels like now and again i get a few heart palps too. But it's the light headedness that sends me nutty........ I take my readings like 9 times a day obssesively. worrying i will drop dead. or stroke....... GP said keep eye on it , and also i have Micardis meds..... I guess i could take 1/2.... "sigh" then i worry about side effects. I am also a smoker I know  bad........ But i just dont feel myself last month... Waking up worse nausea and dizzy. thing is sometimes my Bp is 130/80ish....... can it fluctuate like that or does all Hypertension stay high all time??? Thanks fed right up

[Londres70]

Blood pressure can fluctuate; yes, including high blood pressure.  High blood pressure can also cause headaches, feeling of "crap," etc.  How long has it been since you were diagnosed?  I am sure you got the message about the smoking and being overweight.  Are you not taking the medication?  I didn't really understand if you are or not taking the blood pressure medication.  Side effects of medications are things THAT CAN happen not ARE GOING TO HAPPEN keep that in mind.  On the other hand, uncontrolled high blood pressure and the consequences is something I don't think you want to be dealing with.

Keep us posted.

[aggypantha]

thanks no meds as yet but i have them here, not sure if its vertigo or high BP  and or a sleep issue.

[Londres70]

Have you discussed with your GP about testing/referrals to rule out other possible problems other than the diagnosis of high blood pressure?  He/she has obviously given you a diagnosis of high blood pressure if he/she prescribed Micardis.      

[aggypantha]

Hi Londres well he prescribed them some time back 9months ago, was a bit iffy said it was bit high. I thought no i can do without, fastforward 9months, then the last month been feeling not myself. Then the other day i had a ciggie came indoors and well took my Bp thinking i feel odd, was 180/120, almost freaked. Went and took 1/2 of a micardis and tried to relax.... today i took another 1/2 felt somewhat better.. been trying to get it down to 130/80 etc... almost got there 140/85, 10mg Micardis..I will have to tell Doc , he was out the Doctor other day , and once again checked my Bp but wasn't over fussed, noted down it was creeping up in his notes and said to keep eye on it home BP etc..I dont want to take meds, but that nausea come high bp , i though't i might vomit at any moment.... NOrmally they would put u in ER for that i would have thought..... Plus panicking about it didnt help........ THat's where i am at today... Lifestyle i have no doubt has played a part in this...being sedentary, not excercising or watching diet and just eating whatever.... at 43 its caught up with me damn.... I want to try and get it down with diet changes and exercise so that's my goals but i think i should stay on these meds for now , that's to dangerous perhaps to play with huh??? thanks

[aggypantha]

I also looked up Hypertension crisis it had dizziness which i had, confusion which i think i was getting a bit to be honest, and well nose bleeds i didnt get that or vomit.... Headache i was a bit too.... Man this is scary stuff ! THink i'ts easier to just do the right thing really... but you can see how obessisve you get checking it.... esp when feeing ill

[Londres70]

Damn, at 43 its caught up with you is correct. High blood pressure can be hereditary too, but poor lifestyle choices don't help matters.  Both of my parents have this, so I watch my blood pressure closely.  So much fun getting older.  Who ever said life begins at 40 lied.  One should say the consequences from your actions as a youth begin at 40 :)  

Take the medications, sort out yout lifestyle choices, and go from there.  

All the best.

[aggypantha]

Thanks Londres70, I've cut way back on smoking too, I might go onto the gum nicorette see how that goes,and some light exercise too for now. I'ts hovering at about 140/90 today, the tablets make me zzzzzzzzz but what can you do?... If it gets to 120 again i know i will go to ER that's for sure.

[Londres70]

Alot of high blood pressure medication can make you drowsy especially when you first start taking them.  The drowsiness should get better as your body adjusts; probably after a couple of weeks.  If it does not and/or the drowsiness gets worse, let your physician know.  

140/90 is high, but better.  Yes, get to an ER if that bottom number is EVER 120, especially if you are having symptoms.  Hypertensive crisis needs to be treated IMMEDIATELY if you are ever diagnosed with this.

[aggypantha]

Hi Londres with a crisis does it go down or is a crisis when it stays up for like hours???,

[Londres70]

It is something you do not want to experience.  The blood pressure can stay up for days.  Of course a hospitalization is involved.  The symptoms are WAY MORE than just a headache and some dizziness.  After rounds of IV and oral medications one better hope it comes down and stablizes.  

[aggypantha]

Omg yuk...are you in france? are you a nurse ? , that sounds pretty full on...Now that would freak me out..... right now i measured it again and its 140/90...not so bad...Ive heard different things with diff people though?, like high is 220/150 no thanks...... Yes i have heard vomiting and nose bleeds etc..., sounds like the heart will come of its hindges in that type of crisis...... I'm still worried but trying all different things here sleeping more, relaxation. bit of exercise..before i finally give into tablets.....Of course My parents think different theyre like take the damn pill......But i was reading online regarding bp meds and alot of sites seem very negative like, once you start then you will eventually need more? and more......as if keep away from that course if u can?...Hmmmmmmmm. But then again who wants to stroke or HA it??? it's so hard, and it seems GPs even leave it to the last minute.

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Thank you for your question. Yes high blood pressure is a potential cause of dizziness and lightheadedness. Although your symptoms may be due to any hormonal, circulatory or neurological disorder, that may be also causing high blood pressure. I would recommend that you consult a doctor in order to get a precise opinion here. Hope this helps.

[Londres70]

Yes, I have a nursing background, I am in France and have taken care of patients with hypertensive crisis.  I have worked in the USA and France.  

Your 140/90 is not bad, but still elevated BUT better than 220/150. Take the medication.  You definitely do not want to be dealing with the effects of uncontrolled high blood pressure (strokes, kidney problems, heart problems, etc.)

What negative things have you read about BP medications?  Yes, over time some people have to take more than one BP med to control their BP, but that is not true for everyone.  I have seen where people got on the medication(s), made lifestyle changes, got their pressures down to a healthy range and got off BP meds.  At that point, the physician would just closely monitor them.  I can't tell you what will happen with you, but if you don't do anything I can tell you it will NOT BE GOOD!  

At least you started lifestyle changes, but it just might not be enough at this point.

[aggypantha]

Hi Londres that's the site i was talking about side effects..shouldn't have looked at it Negative things i mean?.. Last night was another dizzy turn turned on my torch and checked BP was 140,30/100 at 6am  , I also noticed when i drink hot /cold my upper tooth back hurts i think it's an Abycess or filling that dropped out, could that be causing me dizziness or nausea and or high bp too? infection. I got up this morning, and felt dread pure dread, dizzy nauseated. I went to go make coffee but turned back and had to go lie down in bed again for a sec, freaked me big time i know that... Someone said i could be having panic attacks since i have really horrible neighbors, because they where out the back part talking sitting there, i hate them long story! .. i think that's the other reason i headed back to the bedroom, didn't want to go near the kitchen as theyre' not far from the window...I just wish i knew what was causing all this......I'ts getting me down..... I havn't showered in a few days either another thing i am worried about dizziness in shower, now i have developed some avoidance thing, where i am starting to do a quick wash..... I feel most at east when i am lying down this is truely weird mmmmmm. , Checked BP then 130/85.. but when i stand up i am still dizzy n stuff.. Wish the GP woudl stop saying Labryinth vertigo....

http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20850&name=MICARDIS

[aggypantha]

This is site i got all the negativity from..not a good idea to read huh

http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20850&name=MICARDIS

[aggypantha]

Thanks Dr, well i seen the GP 2 weeks ago Original Diagnosis Vertigo.......then had another GP come to house last week, he checked BP said it was little high, but wasn't that fussed, said keep eye on it though etc... His Diagnosis was also Labrythitis or something AKA Vertigo...... Precribes Stematil..and ear drops..... But I think i have a filling or Abycess that has been in top upper left tooth..... i would prob say worse this week, but could have been there too on intial diagnosis.... Not sure if infections though from tooth assuming could cause all this BP come dizziness nausea symptoms i get......I just want to get up one morning like i used too. and feel normal :(.... Not sure if i should go to ER Or ED ,or when i should go or how serious let things get?, I'ts scary stuff waking up to extreme nausea and dizziness...... THanks.

[Londres70]

Well, I looked at the website;i patients' comments similar to this website.  Yes, medication has side effects that can POSSIBLY happen not WILL happen.  

Secondly, like I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, have you been tested/assessed for any other conditions?  You did mention the original diagnosis was Labyrinthitis?  So, at this point am totally confused about your situation.  Sounds like you do not want to follow the physicians' advise, you don't believe the diagnoses you have been given or do you just believe these problems will just go away with making lifestyle changes?  There is no doubt about it you sound like a NERVOUS MESS/ANXIOUS.  Coffee with vertigo issues/elevated BP is NOT a good idea if it is caffeinated especially.  I would stay away from the caffeine.

We all like life as we had it before: no health problems, do what we want to do, etc., but  
with living comes changes as we age unfortunately; I think you are having a hard time accepting this.  

Lastly, please see your physician again and have an honest talk with him; you definitely need help sorting all this out.

Keep us posted.  

[aggypantha]

Hi Londres i spent last 4hrs in the ER as i got really dizzy again..... they did blood work for heart attack all came back ok?, xray etc..UPon arival BP was 170/95 , 3hrs later it was 107/77...... They said anxiety and or maybe Vertigo still.... i duno i am going to stop taking this bp with cuff though sending me nuts, Well a  GP said Vertigo but others say that that is just an excuse for another condition..... so i ran with it..... friends huh?..... this GP was a all day and night GP not my original 2 weeks ago........ My Primary GP i had out last week he said just keep eye on BP that's all he said and he also said Laybrithitis or something so he confirmed it....... But is that a real condition???? that's where i am at , sorry yes i was anxious very!!! i live in a bad situation here with neighbors!!!

[Londres70]

Geez, well try to relax.  Did the hospital prescribe anything for your nerves; sounds like you are having terrible anxiety.  At this point, I do not know if the anxiety is causing your other problems or if you are having anxiety secondary to the other problems.  

Secondly, GET IN TO SEE YOUR NORMAL/ORIGINAL GP ASAP!!!  He/she should probably do some more testing/labs with you.  

Thirdly, yes Labyrinthitis is a REAL condition; related to the inner ear function which with inner ear problems one can have lots of anxiety.  Anything prescibed for the vertigo? (Antivert, Betahistine)  

Relax, Relax, Relax.  I don't know what kind of "neighbors" you have, but....OMG!  

[aggypantha]

Morning Londres well i know boy what a night... Nope ER gave me nothing for nerves, I hate Stematil here or Stemazil from the previous GP, I can take that or valium i have too here 2mg ones. Not keen on taking them though, The Er wants my normal GP to set up a Holter or something to wear for 24hrs.... Im with you  im not sure if anxiety is causing this or something else , but will ring Tuesday as public holiday,  The Stematil Stemzine things are ok for dizzines help too.... Well lets say the Neighors are hell on earth!!! we are joined living.......all of last week for 2 weeks straight he banged....Was building or renovating grrrrrrrrrrrrr no nock to say we are? it went on till 1am and stuff....... we dont see eye to eye he is very arrogant and abusive and i keep clear of him........them ! . I am down to be moved from here as a Priorety no 1 move with Gov Housing...... and its been 6months already waited...i just want out of here.......Someone Key'ed my car too scratch just alot of ongoing drama..... but i need to keep calm and try to think stuff it all stuff them!! rather than take it on........ Well that's the latest update i will keep you posted meantime i am doing relaxation and cutting out Caffene........ :)....

[aggypantha]

Thats i have not hate " lol laptop typing :/

[Londres70]

From reading all your posts, you need to be taking some of that medication that has been prescribed.  I don't know why you think you don't need any.  

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE get in to see your GP ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The lifestyle changes are great, but you need medicated.

Keep me posted.

[aggypantha]

Hi Londres thanks...... right now i am taking Klonopin to calm down....... so i can think straight..... BP today was 135/88...I will talk to GP soon promise.

[Londres70]

Great, 138/88, BETTER!  Yes, you better go to the GP soon; will hold you to your promise :)

Keep me posted.

Bonjour!

[aggypantha]

Promise, Now i broken out in a cold sore too !! LOL.......great huh......I took 0.5 Klonopin last night helped me sleep better..feel less let's say keyed up!......however still woke up dizzy today.... and nauseated.....Hmmmmmmm perhaps klonopin hasn't kicked in enough yet..Also have Stematil here too that helps for dizziness nausea...Who knows Vertigo it maybe?. But i have to Organise that Holter to wear anyhow.

[Londres70]

Yes, please use the medication that you have been prescribed and keep up with the lifestyle changes.  Not surprised you have a cold sore; your body sounds like it is in overdrive.  

Keep me posted.

[kay290]

I will tell ya what just happened to my 49 year old sister. She stopped taking her htn meds 2 years ago and now has major cardiac damage. She will never be the same and may not live long either.She is now kicking herself and doing what she should have done before-exercise,lose wt and take meds. Now she is on a whole slew of meds.
It is going to be hard to see her struggle for the rest of her life.

[aggypantha]

Kay that's terrible.... Right now i am taking a full on antibotic (antibiotic).... i think it's helping.. Tooth Abycess or infection of somesort could be raising my BP?, just following Docs orders bp isnt to bad 140/85..... I think the infection got into my sinuses body and made me very ill...... a guess of course time will tell, i hope your sister does feel better though.