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What Causes Elevated BP And Fast Heart Rate While On Lexapro And Amphetamine?
Question: I have been taking 10 mg of lexapro and 5mg of amphetamine salts for the last 5 years. Until recently, my blood pressure has been between 116/60 to 120/68, but has been elevated the last 6 months 150/87 and my heart rate is 50. Are my medication now starting to elevate my blood pressure. I am a 63 yrs old female and I recently lost weight and have been running and walking about 25 miles each week trying to lower my blood pressure. this am when i got up it was 200 over 104. I just took it and now it is 153 over 97 with HR of 57.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that your blood pressure values are high and indicate that your blood pressure is not under control.
These high blood pressure values do not seem to be related to your actual therapy. There is no pharmacological interaction between the two drugs that you are taking (Lexapro and amphetamine salts). From the other hand you have been taking them for a two long time. And it would be really abnormal to have any adverse effects like this after such a long period.
Besides, a common known effect of lexapro and amphetamine are palpitations, tachycardia, and possible changes in ECG. But your heart rate is not high.
So I would exclude this possibility.
I would recommend consulting with your GP for a careful physical exam and some tests to exclude possible secondary causes of high blood pressure:
- resting ECG
- a chest X ray study
- some blood lab tests (complete blood count, kidney and liver function tests, fasting glucose, thyroid hormone levels, blood electrolytes, erythrosedimentation rate and PCR for inflammation).
You should discuss with your doctor on the possibility of starting anti-hypertensive therapy, in order ta manage better your blood pressure. It seems that only diet and physical activity are not succeeding in the management of your blood pressure. Anti-hypertensive therapy coupled with this life style could give better results.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that your blood pressure values are high and indicate that your blood pressure is not under control.
These high blood pressure values do not seem to be related to your actual therapy. There is no pharmacological interaction between the two drugs that you are taking (Lexapro and amphetamine salts). From the other hand you have been taking them for a two long time. And it would be really abnormal to have any adverse effects like this after such a long period.
Besides, a common known effect of lexapro and amphetamine are palpitations, tachycardia, and possible changes in ECG. But your heart rate is not high.
So I would exclude this possibility.
I would recommend consulting with your GP for a careful physical exam and some tests to exclude possible secondary causes of high blood pressure:
- resting ECG
- a chest X ray study
- some blood lab tests (complete blood count, kidney and liver function tests, fasting glucose, thyroid hormone levels, blood electrolytes, erythrosedimentation rate and PCR for inflammation).
You should discuss with your doctor on the possibility of starting anti-hypertensive therapy, in order ta manage better your blood pressure. It seems that only diet and physical activity are not succeeding in the management of your blood pressure. Anti-hypertensive therapy coupled with this life style could give better results.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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