I went to the doctor Thursday to get some medicine for a sore throat I had all week. It cleared it up before I even had a chance to make it to the pharmcy. But, when the nurse took my blood pressure she said it was high 152 over something but the doc put me on Altace Ramipril 2.5mg to lower it. Now my blood pressure has only been taken twice at the doctors office and both times read about the same but the 2 times I checked it at home it was normal. I'm kinda of uneasy about taking it for the first time because I'm worried that if indeed my BP is normal that these meds might lower it to much idk what happens if it does but idk. I havn't taken it yet. I'm only 16 and just worried about what might happen any thoughts?

I dont think you have much to worry about , I take altace but 20 mg per day .I do have high blood pressure .I have even accidentally taken an extra 10 mgs with no bad effects .it will not hurt you taken in that small a dose and it sounds like your doc just wants to keep it down. Blood pressure will vary throughout the day affected by many things . The best thing you can do is talk to your doctor about it. Im sure he will alleviate your fears.
hope this has helped :wave:

Alright thanks, what are some of the side effects?

Anybody???

The awful side effect of ACE inhibitors is the chronic cough...it is ALL too frequent!

Alright just took my first pill I hope thats the only side effect.

Stoutn,

If you get normal readings at home, don't take BP meds; that goes double for someone who is only 16.
I think the only people who should take BP meds are those who have accumulated a month of daily readings and the results average over 140/90.

Don't pooh-pooh the cough...after about 6 months of hacking it get REALLY old. If it hits, most people have to discontinue the ACE inhibitor.

So I shouldn't take it?

Stout,

I'd say, record your BP at home for a month every day, sitting comfortably for 5 minutes before testing. After 30 days calculate the average.
If it's above 140/90, then take the ramipril; if not, then don't take them.

You reallly don't want to medicate yourself for the next 60 years if not absolutely necessary.

Well, been taking em for about a week and I have had no side effects at all and my readings are starting to decrease. It was 154/95 and is now 143/85.

Stoutn,

If you don't get better than that 143/85, perhaps adding a diuretic will be wise.

134/99 today but last night it was 156/88 perhapds because I just finished eating which I heard rasies it.