Blood pressure drops during exercise
Posted , 4 users are following.
I'm on amlodipine 5mg. (Also olmesartan medoxomil 20mg) I've noticed recently, with the hot weather, that my bp drops to 80/50 (or lower) after about 40 min of tennis. At that level, I feed completely fatigued -- no energy at all. I know that amlodipine is a vasodilator -- a blood vessel enlarger -- and I'm thinking the combination of that with exercise (especially in hot weather) is what's causing my too-low bp numbers. Anyone see anything similar? I'm going to start experimenting with skipping doses. (Taking the meds, without exercising, gives me an average bp of around 124/76.)
0 likes, 8 replies
RHGB ericb
Posted
Amlodipine is available in 2.5mg tablets, maybe that is an option.
ericb RHGB
Posted
I take a bp wrist cuff to the tennis court and check it when I feel really pooped. I stop playing when the systolic drops down to 80.
Thanks.
kathryn_1956 ericb
Posted
As someone who had bad side effects from taking Amlodipine who had thought about " playing" with the dose that I took and, having been a nurse, I would advise against doing this and would suggest that you talk to your GP about the problem you are having. In the end I had to stop taking Amlodipine and am now happily taking Adizem SR 120mg twice a day alongside the Perindopral 8mg that has been prescribed for some time, and no longer have the side effects known to cause problems. Good luck in getting your BP levelled out and please talk to your GP about your issues before resorting to doing your own thing.
ericb kathryn_1956
Posted
At one time or another, I've mentioned this to my GP as well as three bp specialists, one of whom had written a book about bp. Only one of the three even had a clue what I was talking about. (And not the doctor who'd written the book.) I think I'm on my own here. I take my bp at least once daily so that lets me relate my bp to what I'm doing. However, I will take your advice and mention this to my GP. Thanks.
ann_c.04098 ericb
Posted
I've often wondered why physicians don't take weather into account in adjusting drugs (any drug) that a patient is taking.. then I researched and realized something very disappointing .. doctors are in the business of not curing us but keeping us dependent on a drug to keep us coming back.. sad but true...
RHGB ann_c.04098
Posted
No they're not. But they do have a tendency not to deviate from whatever is written into the guidelines. Good doctors will use real life experience and take every situation on merit.
ann_c.04098 RHGB
Posted
RHGB.. you hit the nail on the head.. research WHO is funding these guidelines and realize not all doctors are "good" then let your conscience be your guide....
Gillian_68 ericb
Posted
I'm not a doctor, but what your thinking of doing sounds like it would work for you, the change in BP is quite noticeable. 80/50 is very low, I would be worried about that reading if your getting it regularly. Your average reading, 124/76 sounds a lot better, when you take your BP without the meds. It's regarded as dangerous for diastolic readings to drop below 60. I used to be on Ramipril for my BP, it brought it down, but gave me excruciating pain in my legs and feet, to the extent that I felt like I wouldn't be able to walk. I'm not on any meds now, reluctant to go on them after my recent side effect and yes, my BP is back up again. Hope everything sorts itself out for you.