Anyone have issues controlling blood pressure after transplant?

I am. I lost 30 lbs 4 years ago and went off BP meds. After gaining most of it back my BP was borderline prior to surgery. It’s been quite high the 4-5 weeks post surgery. Working with my PCP I will probably end up back on Lisinopril if losing weight again doesn’t lower it. I am 64

Hi!
I haven't had a kidney transplant but I have had blood pressure problems for much of my adult life. I'm 77 and I take several blood pressure medicines: Lisinopril 40 mg., Metoprolol 50 mg., Clonidine 0.2 mg. and Amlodipine 5 mg. My blood pressure is always around 110/70 - 120/65. However, the blood pressure medicine that really got my blood pressure down to where it should be was the Amlodipine. It works great! Also for me yogurt relaxes me and brings my blood pressure down as does a nice hot shower or a back rub.
Good Luck!
PML

Hello @bobinnevada
In my view most us KTR will have some BP both pre & post transplant.

Here is my encounter with BP meds:

Type of medications prescribed is quite a in interesting challenge both for the Doctor & the patient as there are many variables that need to be factored in the decision making. Either way as we all know the BP has to be controlled.

- I took 50 mg of beta blockers prior to the transplant and I wanted to get off them after the transplant - reason was they slow down the heart rate which does affect the BP ( high) but trade off is it protects an heart event.

With support from my cardiologist I slowly phased to 25mg and then stopped it. So now the heart runs around low 70s from high 50s. So it is a trade off higher the heart rate, BP is better.

- Of course after Post KT, typically one needs combination of Meds to tame the BP, In my case I now take ARBs (angio receptor blocker (losartan) 100mg. which served well for me & is the main stay for BP control.
- Other supporting medications I take is 180mg of Diltiazem ( is a CCB calcium channel blocker) with the am Tacrolimus & Mycophenolate... I have been told that Diltiazem has benign impact on maintaining tacrolimus levels.
Both my wife (donor) and I are careful of diet (Lentil/Vegetables / salmon & also have adequate intake of potassium (potassium helps to lower BP naturally too) use only olive oil) / keep steady weight We both walk around 4 miles every day... so far so good will be completing 4 years in July.

I must share one more data point .. even though my family history is filled with cardiac events (most probably affluent lifestyle in my view as life span has varied from 60 to 94 yrs) but no diabetes .. so far I have been fortunate ... no cardiac event. If there is history of cardiac problems then the medicine regime could change.
Good Luck

Hello l0lag0lag0b3, thank you for your input.
I do want to get off of the beta blocker also( breathing issues). Have to talk with nephrologist for an ace or arb, always tolerated those meds
Bobinnevada

Hello Bobinnevada

here are my views on reading your msg.

Typically Beta blocker is prescribed by a cardiologist (as it is essentially Heart Centric). also Beta beta blockers cannot be suddenly stopped you have phase them under the supervision of a cardiologist.

Best suggestion keep you cardiologist in the loop for the either ARB or CCB. from what I know ARBs have minimum side effect compared to ACE.

Also just my extra 2C, if you recipient kidney is clean (not damaged or does not have any other issues (cysts) on the kidney surface) then ARB losartan is more desirable as they will not damage the nephrons as they have been around a very long time. I am not a Doctor !! but this is what is I noted reading case studies
Good Luck