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Is There Medication To Control Stress Related High BP?
Question: I have episodic high blood pressure. Usually caused by stress. Is there any medicine to control it.
It happens. Few times a week.
It happens. Few times a week.
Brief Answer:
No medicine is indicated for that
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
unless your blood pressure is sky high (>220-240mmHg) or you've got other problems (not mentioned in your question) like aneurysms or serious heart disease, then there is no problem with occasional blood pressure elevations due to stress because they are not supposed to cause any trouble.
Chronic blood pressure elevation are very important and if you have regular excursions to the higher values, treatment is needed.
Alprazolam is a good drug for stress and anxiety although it shouldn't be used for prolonged periods because you may get addicted to it.
When the stressful event can be anticipated using low dose propranolol prior to the event can help in reducing or even masking the symptoms of stress like palpitations, shortness of breath etc. Propranolol also causes the heart rate to drop, so your doctor should decide whether you can handle it or not (and the dosage of course).
I hope you find my answer helpful!
If you'd like me to clarify anything, please use your follow-up questions.
Kind Regards!
No medicine is indicated for that
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
unless your blood pressure is sky high (>220-240mmHg) or you've got other problems (not mentioned in your question) like aneurysms or serious heart disease, then there is no problem with occasional blood pressure elevations due to stress because they are not supposed to cause any trouble.
Chronic blood pressure elevation are very important and if you have regular excursions to the higher values, treatment is needed.
Alprazolam is a good drug for stress and anxiety although it shouldn't be used for prolonged periods because you may get addicted to it.
When the stressful event can be anticipated using low dose propranolol prior to the event can help in reducing or even masking the symptoms of stress like palpitations, shortness of breath etc. Propranolol also causes the heart rate to drop, so your doctor should decide whether you can handle it or not (and the dosage of course).
I hope you find my answer helpful!
If you'd like me to clarify anything, please use your follow-up questions.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Normally. I am at 130 / 90. With amtas 2.5 mg I am 120 / 80. During stress or episode it goes up to 150/ 95. Or 100. That is when I take alprazolam. Is alprazolam better or is propRanol better. I have tried both and both work. Alprazolam works better though. I take amtas which is calcium channel blocker and vasodilator. 2.5 mg a day.
Brief Answer:
Both may work but psychiatric consultation might be useful
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
thanks for the details! Your episodic increases of the blood pressure are not worrisome at all (provided they are episodic that is). Alprazolam targets the anxiety itself. It makes you feel more calm. Propranolol reduces the sympathetic nervous system reaction to stress. Propranolol won't let the heart rate rise as it would without it. It won't let the blood pressure rise too much either and it will generally help you stay calm because you wouldn't feel the "flight or fight" response that the sympathetic nervous system causes when you're under stress.
If this is a regular problem that happens again and again, you should seek a psychiatric consultation particularly if it is accompanied by deep and rapid breaths, palpitations etc because this would be called a panic attack. Alprazolam and propranolole can still be used for the symptoms but there are other choices too.
Amlodipine is no contraindication for any of the aforementioned drugs. If you'd like to mention also the name of the other drug, I could check it for interactions.
Kind Regards!
Both may work but psychiatric consultation might be useful
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
thanks for the details! Your episodic increases of the blood pressure are not worrisome at all (provided they are episodic that is). Alprazolam targets the anxiety itself. It makes you feel more calm. Propranolol reduces the sympathetic nervous system reaction to stress. Propranolol won't let the heart rate rise as it would without it. It won't let the blood pressure rise too much either and it will generally help you stay calm because you wouldn't feel the "flight or fight" response that the sympathetic nervous system causes when you're under stress.
If this is a regular problem that happens again and again, you should seek a psychiatric consultation particularly if it is accompanied by deep and rapid breaths, palpitations etc because this would be called a panic attack. Alprazolam and propranolole can still be used for the symptoms but there are other choices too.
Amlodipine is no contraindication for any of the aforementioned drugs. If you'd like to mention also the name of the other drug, I could check it for interactions.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
SSRIs are the first treatment options
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
the SSRIs like Lexapro (escitalopram) are always the first choices because they are usually effective and well tolerated when compared the tricyclics. Escitalopram dosage can be increased to 20mg per day, if not effective enough or perhaps another SSRI option can be tried (like sertraline, although I would be cautious because of amlodipine). Combination with tricyclics could be tried, but I would recommend trying the highest SSRI dose first.
Your best next step is to consult your treating doctor regarding the inefficient effect on your attacks. I've presented you with the choices your doctor has.
You can - of course - use your follow-up questions, to ask for anything that's needs further explanations.
Kind Regards!
SSRIs are the first treatment options
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
the SSRIs like Lexapro (escitalopram) are always the first choices because they are usually effective and well tolerated when compared the tricyclics. Escitalopram dosage can be increased to 20mg per day, if not effective enough or perhaps another SSRI option can be tried (like sertraline, although I would be cautious because of amlodipine). Combination with tricyclics could be tried, but I would recommend trying the highest SSRI dose first.
Your best next step is to consult your treating doctor regarding the inefficient effect on your attacks. I've presented you with the choices your doctor has.
You can - of course - use your follow-up questions, to ask for anything that's needs further explanations.
Kind Regards!
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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