Spiking Hypertension Reason

19 years ago

I have been taking medication for hypertension for a couple of years now. I eat lots of fruits and veggies and exercise on a regular basis. I have lost about 5 pounds the past year and would like to lose another 5.

I have a home BP monitor and in the past month, my BP has spiked to 180-190/75. Prior to this, it had been in the 125/65 range which I was happy with. I am trying to figure out what would make it spike like that. I have a relatively low-stress life and am a contented person. There have been no changes in my life to warrant those high readings. Any ideas?

I have a dr appt next week and will of course discuss it with him.

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Comments (16)

woodnymph2_gw
19 years ago
Are you eating a lot of rather salty foods? If so, that could be contributing. Also, drinking lots of coffee.
blueheron
Original Author
19 years ago
I cut down on the salt but that didn't seem to help. I don't know how long it takes to have an effect on the BP, though. Maybe it takes weeks.

I only drink one cup of coffee a day, so I don't think it's that.
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catherinet
19 years ago
Hi blueheron,
Do you have any other symptoms when your BP is up? May I ask your sex and your age?
I had incredible BP spikes when I was going through perimenopause. Its much better now.
I do have sleep apnea....which can cause high BP.
There are other possibilities, but are unusual to have....like tumors of the adrenals. Are you sure you're taking your BP correctly? What kind of machine do you have? Perhaps it needs calibrated? Is the cuff the right size for your arm?
When you say you cut back on your salt.....is it possible that you are still consuming alot of hidden salt?
blueheron
Original Author
19 years ago
I am 70 years old, past menopause and in good health otherwise. The machine is a ReliOn and I know it is working because DH takes his BP and it's normal. It is possible that I am still consuming too much salt, but that doesn't explain why the BP would suddenly spike.

I will let you know what the dr says.
catherinet
19 years ago
I would be interested in what your doctor says. I would probably question your equipment first.
Do you feel okay during those times?
devorah
19 years ago
Sometimes it just changes as we age. I have been on hypertension medicine for many years and from time to time it has had to be changed. I am 60.
blueheron
Original Author
19 years ago
It's possible that the medication needs to be changed.

I was thinking of anything that had changed in the past few months and I did come up with the fact that I've been sitting at the computer playing scrabble in the evenings. I wonder if the chair pressing on the arteries in my legs could cause the BP to spike.

Also, I've been brewing fresh tea and drinking 2 cups a day. I don't know if the caffeine in the tea would affect BP. Coffee can, I know.
catherinet
19 years ago
The tea is a possibility. Can you get decaf tea? How about decaf green tea?
I doubt the computer chair is causing problems. And its good that you're keeping your mind active playing scrabble.
Do you eat any black licorice? That can raise your BP. How often is your BP up that high?
Did your husband just retire and now is home all the time? That would do it! lol!
blueheron
Original Author
19 years ago
Yes,I do eat black licorice and had heard that it could make BP higher, so I stopped buying it.

My husband has been retired for over 5 years and I enjoy his company. I know a lot of women don't like their husbands hanging around the house after they retire, but we enjoy each other's company. Plus we are active - garden, exercise, volunteer, etc.

Took my BP today and it was lower - 167 which is an improvement. We'll see if I can get it lower.

Thanks for all your suggestions.
woodnymph2_gw
19 years ago
Do you eat a lot of canned foods? It was pointed out to me by a nurse that there is a lot of "hidden" sodium in canned foods. I think 167 is quite high!
blueheron
Original Author
19 years ago
No, I make a lot of things from scratch for that reason. That way I know what is in the food. I don't even like canned soups because of all the sodium, even the Low Salt ones.
blueheron
Original Author
19 years ago
Well, I had my appt with the NP and he just increased the dosage of the medication I had been taking. Evidently, I had been on a really small dosage. He also prescribed potassium chloride because my potassium was on the low side.

So, I am hopeful that this will lower my BP to a normal level. Thanks for all the feedback.
pamven
19 years ago
I found out many otc pain meds can cause this problem. They interfer with the bp meds. Aspirin is one of the few otcs that doesnt cause this problem...all others do.
pris
19 years ago
I know I can't take nsaids for my RA but aspirin gives me some serious heartburn. Does Tylenol interfere with BP meds as well or is it safe to take?
southernrn
19 years ago
Tylenol should be fine to take with your BP meds as far as I know. The only time I know that Tylenol is not advised is if a person has any hepatic (liver) dysfunction.
lydia1959
19 years ago
Blueheron -

I just found this on a medical site!

"The presence of hypokalemia (low potassium) in a person with hypertension suggests the need to look for primary hyperaldosteronism."

You need a simple blood test which tests for aldosterone and renin.
Good luck!