Swollen ankles and high blood pressure

[Barbara Stewart]

My blood pressure is up, again. I've had high bp since I was 30, 26 years ago, and after this last surgery it was at a good level. The last month and a half it has risen. My cardio, ever the conservative, didn't want to give me any more meds, but I finally talked him into adding something. He gave me Norvasc to add to my Diovan and Lasix, but it is still high. Mainly it is the systolic. Yesterday I helped my husband haul a bunch of branches to the side of our street so they can be picked up. It was hard work, and I was quite pleased with myself, but last night my ankles were swollen and today I'm exhausted. I'm planning to call the cardio tomorrow, but have any of you had these difficulties and what did you do?

It feels really good to be doing some fairly strenuous exercise again. I thought I'd never be able to again. Any words of wisdom or comfort?

Barbara

 

[bvdr]

Barb, I have a real hard time with calcium channel blockers in general causing me shortness of breath and generalized edema but especially in my legs. I have never been on Norvasc but it is in the same class of drugs. I've had problems with my blood pressure for many years and started on an anti-hypertensive when I was about 28 which means I've been on meds for B/P for over 30 years.
I am now on Altace and Maxzide (and sometimes Lasix) and it is doing just fine.
If the swelling started only after the addition of Norvasc you may want to ask your cardiologist if that might be a factor. I hope this straightens out for you soon.

 

[bvdr]

One other question for your Barbara...have you ever been on an Ace inhibitor? The Diovan is an Angiotension II receptor site antagonist and they are often prescribed when an Ace inhibitor isn't effective.

 

[joanne6]

Do you know your ejection fraction?

Do you know your ejection fraction?

Have you ever had any signs of heart failure. It could be the meds or you may have overdone things hauling the branches. In any case if it continues call your doc and check in with him.

 

[Barbara Stewart]

Betty,
I can't take ACE inhibitors. They give me a cough. I didn't realize calcium channel blockers can caust swelling. THanks for the info. I'll ask about it when I call the cardio.
Barbara

 

[JohnnyV_46]

Yep I deal with High Blood pressure also..Diovan didn't do much for me. I had problems with my lower legs swelling after my Surgery. I was on Toprol and Benicar...the Benicar has a diuretic in it also which drove me nutz...Mine still bounces around alot.Its one of the reasons I went to see the Sleep Doctor for my Apnea....its only been a week and I feel better already...I've been afraid to check my blood pressure..I'll check it in a week or so.