I Just Dont Understand/fluxuation Systolic Bp

Modularman · 12-11-2006, 07:08 PM

I noticed recently that my systolic goes up quite a bit from time to time. I have been on atenelol for 10 years. I had a heart cath. 10 years ago and everything was just great. The old feelings are coming back. Pressure in my head (maybe sinus, maybe anxiety) maybe something else. I went to the doctors the other day to look into this and freaked out. I am 60. Imagine that Im freaking out at my age. Fast pulse, really hot in the face, high bp, pressure in my head. I left without getting in to see him because I panicked. My blood pressure has been going up to 160 to 170/ 75 to 80 85. I know its been higher than that at times. When I sit down a while it usually goes down to a good level. Yesterday it was great. 122/75 most of the day. No bad feelings. Today wham! Up all day again and the feeling of presure in my head. I worked all day but it was so uncomfortable. So good days/ bad days......good nights/ bad nights with this. I dont get it. Some say anxiety. I really dont have any other bad symptoms. I think about this all the time and check my blood pressure so many times a day Im surprised my arms dont fall off. This is so upsetting. I dont want to go to the hospital and have another heart cath for nothing. I dont have insurance. Maybe nothing. Can anyone help me with this information I just gave.

Lenin · 12-12-2006, 09:14 AM

Modularman,

It sounds like maybe its time for a drug change.
Maybe something as simple as adding some HCTZ (diuretic) too your daily atenolol will do the trick.

First though, get an average BP over a month of readings at different times while at home stitting comfortably. Then you can ascertain whether some change to that 10 mg. atenolol should be made.

Are you taking it for any reason OTHER than hypertension? Like angina, or tachycardia.

Turning 60 sure sucks doesn't it?

But it DOES beat the alternative.

Modularman · 12-12-2006, 09:50 AM

Lenin, Your right it does beat the alternative! Thanks for the reply. I am on 50 mg atenolol a day. I do take it around 9 or 10 am. This is a spike thing I believe. I take this atenolol for originally a high dystolic and fast heart rate. These spiked back then when i was originally prescribed. Now mostly the systolic spikes and the rest stay normal. However, at times the dystolic goes up a little too. Thanks

Lenin · 12-13-2006, 09:37 AM

You MIGHT try splitting your atenolol and taking it in 2 doses 12 hours apart (unless the nighttime dose causes insomnia.)

The NORMAL BP response is really to accelerate during times of stress, felt or unfelt.
It's only the 24/7/365 hypertension that is usually of any danger.