First Time Taking High Blood Pressure Tabs And Minor Heart Issues...

[davidst01]

Gday

Im in my early 40's and have experienced some heart issues whilst in Indonesia last yr. In KL I had an echo cardiagram and they found that my ejection function was a bit low and said to have another one 6 months later. I did this in oz over a month ago and they found that my diastolic pressures were a bit higher than should be. The dr said that it probably explains the modest dilatation of my aorta (confirmed also by a CT scan). They also said that I have a mitral valve prolapse.

He put me on 75mg of Avapro for the high blood pressure and now its been about a month on these tabs. Although its only a small dosage, I have been feeling a bit unwell- sometimes lack of usual energy, somtimes sick in the stomach, lowered sex drive etc.

Has anyone ever taken Avapro before? I suppose that I should just keep taking them but have heard that once I stop taking them my blood pressure is likely to go back to the way it was. Im in thailand and only have 5 months of tabs left but hope that Im not on them for ever...

The other night I exerted myself a lot physically and then later felt my heart stuggling a bit and felt unwell in the upper body area.

I dont want to visit another specialist yet but maybe in 3 months or so in bangkok. Can you recommend a heart consultant? Or can you comment on any of the above issues- if you have them yourself perhaps..

many thanks

[lopburi3]

You have checked the side effects listings - below appears on first two Google items. It is listed as needing frequent doctor visits which may not be the case if you have that much medication and traveling. Sorry although take hypertension medications have never used that drug so no real knowledge of it.

In rare cases, Avapro can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

[Sheryl]

The problems you report are not usual with Irbersartan (Avapro), though that does not mean that there could not in your case be a connection, since some people do have unusual responses to various medications. To be on the safe side, since your complaints seem related to starting in a new medication, it would be advisable to have blood test for creatnine, AST and ALT (kidney and liver function) and most especially, serum potassium. This is just to rule out any serious renal or hepatic problems and also to see if your potassium levels are off, this sometimes happens with irbesratan and if severe, it can cause nausea, muscle complaints and cardiac abnormalities. The Health check-up dept of any hospital can do this and the tests are not expensive, results same day in a matter of hours. Doesn't matter if you eat before hand.

I take it this is the only medication you are on?

Do you take your own blood pressure? If not, I suggest you buy a home monitor and start to do so. If your BP is too low (which can happen on this med and other antihypertensives) this could cause the feeling of fatigue. It would also usually cause some dizziness, especially when sitting or standing up suddenly.

If liver/kidney functionand potassium level all check out OK, I would primarily be concerned that the fatigue and generally unwell feeling might relate to your underlying valve disease i.e. that your cardiac output has worsened). The discomfort you report on exertion would tend to suggest that. In that case, better see a cardiologist sooner rather than later. I can recommend the following:

1. Bumrungrad Hospital: http://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Visuit-Vivekaphirat US trained and board certified, many TV members favorably recommend him. Yiou can make an appointment online.

2. Bangkok Christian Hospital (Saturday mornings only): Dr. Taworn. Call to make sure he'll be there, tel 0-2625-9000, 0-2235-1000. He is a senior Professor of Cardiology at a leading medical school, trained at UCLA, and is top notch. You don't need an appointment but should arrive as earl as possible as it is first come/first serve and he is in high demand.

[lvdkeyes]

You need to see a doctor and tell him of these symptoms. Don't wait 3 months.

[jrtmedic]

I presume the Australian Dr in addition to prescribing medication also provided "life style" advise in terms of smoking, alcohol, diet and exercise.

Do not be tempted to modify or cease taking your medication without seeking professional advise.

[mickjn]

My opinion for what it is worth,your doctor might have to try you on 4 or 5 different BP tablets before he finds the one that suits you

[bangkokburning]

My blood pressure is pretty high for fifty+

I walk a lot but I need cardio, I know it does in fact lower my bp.

Im on 20mg of Enaliril. I told the doc I wanted cheap, tried and true med that was not diuretic (as Thailand so hot I do not want the water loss).

Doc started me at 5mg <deleted>. Increased to ten, I increased to 20. Seems to be perfect.

I dont have heart issues pls note. You need to see a doctor.

[davidst01]

I did not end up seeing a doctor before leaving for eastern europe but now here eveything seems fine.

Before leaving I checked my blood pressure and it was in the low to normal range of 116 over 68

The only side effect I see at the moment is that Im putting on weight. Has anyone else experienced this whilst on blood pressure tabs?

[TerryLH]

"Bangkok Christian Hospital (Saturday mornings only): Dr. Taworn. Call to make sure he'll be there, tel 0-2625-9000, 0-2235-1000. He is a senior Professor of Cardiology at a leading medical school..."

Sheryl, does he also work at the hospital associated with the school?

[FBN]

Mitral valve prolapse may lead to heart failure which may have a very slow onset and fit in with all of your symptoms which may even include some weight gain which may be due to fluid retention; best to have this checked out. It is also associated with pulmonary hypertension, the main complication, and the value of the echocardiogram is an assessment of this rather than the ejection fraction.

[Sheryl]

"Bangkok Christian Hospital (Saturday mornings only): Dr. Taworn. Call to make sure he'll be there, tel 0-2625-9000, 0-2235-1000. He is a senior Professor of Cardiology at a leading medical school..."

Sheryl, does he also work at the hospital associated with the school?

Yes, he works at Chula. You could try their after hours clinic and see if you can directly access him there, but will have to make at least 2 separate trips in person (one to find out, and then again for the appointment) and long delays are not unusual i.e. appointment may be weeks or even months later. Also, I am not certain he has hours in the clinic nok wela, but he may.

If you access the hospital through regular channels (i.e. not through the after hours clinic) it will involve a lot of red tape and probably take several days of repeat trips, you will not be able to choose your doctor, and care will likely be by a resident in training under the supervision of Dr. T or other Prof. The last I heard, for non-emergencies there was a very long wait to get in to see a cardiologist.

All in all, just for consultation it is well worth going the private route. If surgery turns out to be needed and you are uninsured that's another matter.

[TerryLH]

Thanks

Terry