Blood pressure: When is it time for medication?

Posted by bhallett39 @bhallett39, Apr 24 7:31am

My systolic blood pressure readings are consistently high (140-165) accompanied by low diastolic- in the 40s. Should I take blood pressure medication?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart & Blood Health Support Group.

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Apr 24 9:53am

Hi @bhallett39 Welcome to Mayo Connect. Members aren’t able to diagnose conditions or offer medical advice. But from personal experience, having consistently high blood pressure readings above 120/80 is something to discuss with your doctor. They may do a little more investigating into the reason behind the elevated BP. Do you keep daily record of your readings? Have you mentioned this to your doctor?

With your discussion posted in the Blood Cancer & Disorders support group, were you diagnosed with a blood condition or just concerned for your blood pressure numbers?

pamdg | @pamdg | Apr 25 10:53am

I have PV and have been experiencing the same issue over the past few weeks.

kjoed53 | @kjoed53 | Apr 25 11:32am

Your question is one for your doctors. It is dangerous to self diagnose or accept an armchair diagnosis. Even if your symptoms mirror someone else, we all react differently to treatments. There are also way too many factors involved in a diagnosis other than the one result you notice. Please see your doctor, and soon.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 26 7:29pm

bhallett39, welcome. I moved your question about blood pressure and medications to the Heart & Blood Support Group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/heart-blood-vessel-conditions/

Dr. Leslie Thomas, a nephrologist at Mayo Clinic answers some of the most frequently asked questions about hypertension in this article and video.
- Hypertension FAQs https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/multimedia/vid-20538081

@bhallett39, do you monitor your blood pressure at home as well as in the doctor's office?

bhallett39 | @bhallett39 | Apr 26 8:41pm

In reply to @colleenyoung "bhallett39, welcome. I moved your question about blood pressure and medications to the Heart & Blood..." + (show)

@colleenyoung
I do.
At my “wellness visit” this past week, we decided to start me on daily 2.5mg amlodipine. Hopefully that will be enough to bring down the systolic number. If dizziness becomes a problem (diastolic number too low) I’ll stop.

lulu59 | @lulu59 | Apr 27 8:54am

In reply to @bhallett39 "@colleenyoung I do. At my “wellness visit” this past week, we decided to start me on..." + (show)

@bhallett39 I started on 2.5mg amlodipine for 2 months after a couple of years of high BP (prior to that had normal bp my whole life till my early 50s -I am 59. Increased to 5mg a bit over a month ago and finally seems to be working. I've had some side effects like lightheaded which might be from the meds. I've been monitoring my BP for years and was trying to delay meds but it was on an upward trend. Good luck!