Blood pressure meds: Hi All, I'm in a... - British Heart Fou... (2024)

Hi All, I'm in a bit of bind.. Hoping someone share some wisdom.

Been having quite intense side effects with blood pressure meds. And have done since second day I started taking these. I hoped my body would adjust over time. Been 9 weeks... !!!

Tried 2 different ones (ramipril, candesartan). So covered ACE and ARB. Both give me very tight chest to the point im unable to fill my lungs, and constant pain in the chest. Which were bad enough last weekend I had to take myself to A&E...

I fully understand the principle of taking these on a prevention basis, but I can't get a complete answer from my GP or the doctor in A&E what would happen if I don't take these. ?

I don't have high blood pressure, never have. Today's read 117/68.

I don't have a death wish, nor do I want a repeat heart incident. But I can't carry on feeling this bad.

I made a decision to not take them for 3 days to see what happens. I had to see if it was the pills or if there was physically something wrong. Most symptoms disappeared after a few days. ?

My anxiety from the whole experience, which is bad enough. Is being ramped up with the chest discomfort. All in, feels like these are doing more harm than good.

I can't be the only person who can't tolerate a certain type of medicine.

Any advice would be massively appreciated.

Thanks.

6 Replies

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Not sure what your heart incident was, I had a heart attack, 3 months ago. The meds can be brutal and not much sympathy from docs. regarding this. I have loads of side effects but it's too risky for me to stop them. Be careful.

Hi fraz

I'm really sorry to hear you're not doing so well on your meds. Ace/Arb meds aren't just for high blood pressure, after a heart attack they're prescribed as they have a beneficial effect on your heart, the cardiac nurse described it a they kinda remodel the heart.

My husbands blood pressure has never been high & he was on candesartan for years before he was switched to Entresto. However, when he first had his HA he couldn't tolerate beta blockers, had similar symptoms to yours, he struggled to put one foot in front of the other and his breathing was seriously impacted

I wouldn't stop taking any of your meds without medical advice as they are looking after your heart but definitely speak to your medical team about the issues you're having

Good luck, it's early days for you, things will get better 🤞

Have you been referred to a cardiologist if not ask your GP for a referral. They will run tests and find out exactly what's wrong and put you on the right medication. If it wasn't for my GP referral in 2020 I wouldn't know I was born with a hole in the side of my heart. And in 2021 had MRI to confirm it's only on the side of my heart and the connections between the chambers of my heart are intact and have strong heart function.

Been on Ramipril for over 10 years and been find. Seeing the cardiologist got diagnosed with PAF and on Flecainide and Apixaban. My heart goes crackers at times, have occasional heart flutters and miss heart beats but on the correct medication. So I just relax and my heart goes back to normal well normal for me in a few minutes .

I was put on Ramipril near the end of 2022. I started having vision problems, electric flashes like a migraine aura several times a day but my doctor told me it had nothing to do with the medication. I went on to develop fatigue, irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness and worst of all shortness of breath. It got so bad I couldn't walk 20 feet without having to stop and double over trying to catch my breath. I was also on Metoprolol Tartrate at night so I figured I'd double up and take the MT in the morning instead of the Ramipril. Within two days the symptoms eased and within a week I was breathing much easier. Unfortunately a few months later the shortness of breath came back and kept getting worse until I had to go to Emergency. They did some tests then admitted me to the hospital where I underwent more tests and they found my aortic valve was failing badly. I don't know if the Ramipril masked it or caused it but I ended up having to have the valve replaced this January. I wouldn't touch Ramipril ever again. I don't know if it is your problem but there are also several medications that interact badly with it. The candesartan can cause the tightness in the chest along with several other nasty side effects:

Arm, back, or jaw pain

bleeding gums

chest pain or discomfort

chest tightness or heaviness

chills

cough or hoarseness

dizziness

fainting

fast or irregular heartbeat

fever

joint pain

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

lightheadedness

lower back or side pain

nausea

nosebleeds

pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck

painful or difficult urination

shortness of breath

sweating

swelling of the feet or lower legs

vomiting

If I were in your position, I would get in contact with the GP to try to get the situation resolved, or perhaps better still the Pharmacist that your GP practice employs as he/she will know more in detail about the medication.

You say you've done ACE and ARB, but it is not as simple as that. I've had medication within a general category where one has produced side effects and another has been fine. It is a case of trying different ones. Statins are a classic case... I'm on my fourth one.

Get a mtg with a Cardiologist.

Do you get any relief by lying down and breathing deep and slowly?

I would stop one drug for 2 days and then go back on. After a few more days, stop the other for the same timeframe.

This may provide details you can review with Cardio.

Leave a msg with your GP advising what you are doing.

If the pain get excessive again, you have no choice but a&e again.