Blood Pressure Meds (ARBS). Has anyone had a POSITIVE experience?

Posted by lilac2025 @lilac2025, Oct 31, 2025

At 65 years old, I’ve waffled back and forth with my blood pressure for years, often on high normal. I actually think I have Stage 1 hypertension but I’m not on any medications. My doctor agreed that I lose weight first, then we re-visit it this December 2025. I have 13 pounds to go! I’ve already lost 29 lbs in about 1.5 years. It was tough at my age and body type, but I did it! I need to get down to 135 lbs. I may STILL need meds, though. Because of that, I’ve done some research on the different types of blood pressure medications (even months ago I did so). The ARBS seem to have the lowest side effects, and yet I have read many discouraging comments on YouTube about those on Losartan having some serious side effects. Not sure what their dosage was. Has anyone done WELL on Losartan? That was the one I was considering, but I’m not ruling out others. How about any of these ARBS? (see below list) I find it overwhelming to even think about and I’m very nervous about side effects. I’d love to hear from others who are having a POSITIVE experience. I’d rather not be scared away from NEGATIVE experiences. I’m here to get some reassurance from those who are BENEFITTING without any serious side effects. I look forward to reading your stories and replies!
Generic Name
Losartan (Cozaar)
Valsartan (Diovan)
Irbesartan (Avapro)
Candesartan (Atacand)
Olmesartan (Benicar)
Telmisartan (Micardis)
Azilsartan (Edarbi)

Thank you! I hope this helps others who are on the fence and considering lowering their blood pressure with the help of medical science. This will be my very first medication ever in my life. So far, just vitamins and supplements. I accept that at 65, I may not be able to keep down my BP with just beet root capsules or powder in my smoothies, a low-salt whole food plant based diet and exercise. Sometimes, genetics rears its ugly head. That may be my case. I don’t want to harm my coronary arteries as I age.

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

lilac2025 | @lilac2025 | Nov 13, 2025

In reply to @kildaren96 "I had an afib episode over 20 years ago in my 50s and was put on..." + (show)

@kildaren96

I had an afib episode over 20 years ago in my 50s and was put on 25 mg losartan and 25 mg metoprolol extended release (beta blocker). I reduced the metoprolol to 12.5 for 20 years. I didn’t have another afib episode until 5 years ago and so I upped the metoprolol back up to 25 mg. Both times that I had the afib episode, I had had a very highly stressful event beforehand. Back in my 50s my electrophysiologist/cardiologist tested the heck out of me and determined that my heart was healthy with a slightly leaky valve and he attributed the freak afib episode to the highly stressful event beforehand. But he still recommended that I continue with the two meds. Since the afib episode scared the beejeebers out of me, I did as told, albeit I reduced the beta blocker to 1/2 the amount.

I haven’t had any problems with losartan although I used to suffer badly with restless legs and I read earlier in the year that losartan can exacerbate restless legs. Since having my left hip replaced at age 73, I no longer get restless legs in my left leg. I joke that maybe I could see if Medicare would replace my (perfectly fine) right hip to get rid of the restless leg in that leg. I typically only get it in the evenings when I want to sit down and knit or read. Anyway, I now live in a different state and have a different electrophysiologist/cardiologist and so when I had my annual checkup in February, I asked him if I could try lisinopril to see if my restless leg would get better. He said sure but not to get rid of my losartan. To make a long story short, the lisinopril caused such a horrible, intense post nasal drip, I went back to the Losartan. Only 10% or so people will be affected with post nasal drip on lisinopril and since I wasn’t expecting that side effect, it took me a few months to discover that that was a thing, go back to losartan and get rid of the post nasal drip.

Sorry for this very long story. I wasn’t on lisinopril long enough (3 months maybe) to really say that my restless leg got better. It didn’t during that timeframe. So I would say that I haven’t really had any side effects from taking Losartan. I’ve learned to put a compression sleeve on that calf when it gets restless and that seems to calm it down a lot. Also, since then, I read a report from a doctor (I think his name is Bestermann) who described all the good things that losartan does to your blood vessels in addition to lowering your blood pressure. So I’m very glad that I went back to it. I hope that all the years I’ve been taking it, even at its lowest dose, that it has been good for my blood vessels. The older we get, the more good news that a medication can deliver, the better, in my book.

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@kildaren96 Hi! I appreciate your story and thank you for sharing it. We are all so different and react differently to medications, as you explained with your reaction to Lisinopril. It's good to hear about your positive experience with Losartan and its benefits to the blood vessels.

For the time being, I'm taking the holistic route, but I have a feeling I will need to start medications the end of this year or next year. I just need to get over my hesitations and fears about side effects. And, I've lasted until 65 without any medications, so there's that side of me that is having trouble letting go of that identity. Bye bye holistic me! 🙁 I know I need to adapt and accept that there comes a time as we age, where we (ME HERE!) need to allow a pharmaceutical drug to protect us and lower the risk of an "event", as they call it. Some of the inventions of these medicines are truly remarkable and I respect how they help people. I know how damaging chronically high blood pressure can be to the arteries.

I still have some weight loss to go and my doctor will re-assess my BP when I reach the goal we discussed. Right now, I take Beet Root capsules, and I just bought Hawthorn Berry - both help supply the body with Nitric Oxide which helps relax the blood vessels. I sometimes also drink Beet Juice (usually blended with Turmeric, an anti-inflammatory). I use beet powder in my smoothies after my gym workout. I'm doing what I can, but I also don't want to harm myself. I'll meet with my doctor later in December for a serious discussion about how to move ahead.

In any case, I'm glad Losartan is working for you. Thanks again for sharing that and giving me the confidence to add it to my health care, as deep down I am starting to accept I really should be taking it, even if at the lowest dose.

jenatsky | @jenatsky | Nov 16, 2025

When I was diagnosed with HTN in 1984 I was given Lisinopril 5mg and now taking 10mg. Side effects have been nonexistent except for dry mouth but I use cannabis too so dry mouth comes with the territory. I just use water and hard candy.

mikehamper | @mikehamper | Nov 17, 2025

In reply to @jenatsky "When I was diagnosed with HTN in 1984 I was given Lisinopril 5mg and now taking..." + (show)

@jenatsky I too am on the same medication and dosage, I too have dry mouth all day long and drink water constantly. Mike.

mikehamper | @mikehamper | Nov 17, 2025

In reply to @mikehamper "@jenatsky I too am on the same medication and dosage, I too have dry mouth all..." + (show)

@mikehamper no longer use cannabis. 6 months since.

lilac2025 | @lilac2025 | Nov 21, 2025

In reply to @zeke2u "I'm 70 and have been on Irbesartan (Avapro) for about 30 yrs. You made need to..." + (show)

@zeke2u Hi. Thank you for your reply. Since we’re referring to blood pressure medications here, have you had any side effects for the past 30 years? You must be tolerating it well, if you’ve been on it that long.

By the way, I am NOT on a statin. Trying to avoid that, as well. But for my heart health at age 65, I do take CoQ10. I also take K-2 (MK-7) and Vitamin D to help direct calcium to my bones and not into my arteries. (I have osteoporosis).

lilac2025 | @lilac2025 | Nov 21, 2025

In reply to @jenatsky "When I was diagnosed with HTN in 1984 I was given Lisinopril 5mg and now taking..." + (show)

@jenatsky Thank you for your reply. I think I could live with dry mouth, but I’m more interested in the ARB group of blood pressure medications. I did my research, and they seem to be more tolerable than any other group. That being said, I’ve read comments on YouTube people not doing well on Losartan, the pill I’m considering. We’re all so different. The only way I’ll really know — if I still lean toward Stage 1 Hypertension after I get my weight down to 135 lbs (13 lbs to go!) - is to try it! Some of us, no matter how thin we may get, cannot fight the inner workings of our blood in our arteries. Life, stress, emotions — so many factors can contribute. Sorry, I got carried away (again) with my writing. I’m glad you’re staying heart healthy with good, controlled blood pressure! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 🙂

zeke2u | @zeke2u | Nov 22, 2025

In reply to @lilac2025 "@zeke2u Hi. Thank you for your reply. Since we’re referring to blood pressure medications here, have..." + (show)

@lilac2025
Hu Lilac, I do handle the blood pressure and statin meds well. When my meds were increased years ago my sister recommended CoQ10 and Vit D3 it worked wonders. I've always been surprised why cardioligist don't recommend CoQ10? When I did have my MI the Drs were surprised I did not have any heart damage. I believe it was do to the healthy diet and exercise most of my life!

jardinera25 | @jardinera25 | Nov 22, 2025

I'm on 3 BP meds now, since I developed Labile Hypertension from a breast cancer drug I was on (AI's). BP drugs are Losartan, Carvedilol and Amlodipine. I think Carvedilol is my favorite, since it keeps my night spikes down, but Losartan doesn't give me side effects. Amlodipine makes your feet & ankles swell (edema), so hope to get off of it.

ann3838 | @ann3838 | Nov 22, 2025

I take ibersartan morning and night, actually now take 4 different tablets. I have hereditary High BP. I'm 73. I do have heart issues and now kidney so it's essential I get my BP at a good reading. I very rarely get a normal reading. Unfortunately I got sepsis late 2024 and it did a number on my organs. Upto then my BP was well managed. I'm now on a mission to lose min 4 kgs max 8kgs. I'm also on blood thinners. We have heart problems througout my dad's side of family. Cheers Annette

unmanageable | @unmanageable | Nov 24, 2025

I have been on amlodipine 10mg and lost a lot of weight.i was 60kg and now I'm 54kg.i feel week and skinny,what can i do.now they added 10mg enalapril

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