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What Causes High Blood Pressure After Delivery?

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Posted on Mon, 23 Feb 2015
Question: HI...I am 10 months postpartum but experiencing high blood pressure. I currently taking In the morning: Labetalol 200 mg, Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg and Amlodipine 5 mg. In the evening: Labetalol 400 mg. My blood pressure is great all day until about 4pm. During the day it averages 119/85 and then in the afternoon/evening it rises to 155/110. I would not have known expect i start to feel bad...blurry vision and headaches. I had a stress test, blood work, 24hr urine collection and an EKG done in Oct and all came back normal. What can be causing such spike in my blood pressure. It is scary me... Is the evening reading really something to worry about?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (39 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please, give me a detail scheddule of your drugs!(Dosages and time)

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this wide discrepancy in your blood pressure readings. This is very unlikely to be explained by a disease condition than being influenced by external factors such as stress, physical activity, etc. For now, there is no major reason to get worried.

My plan would be to get a list of your medications, dosages and how you take them in a day. Then, we would be able to review. I will also like more readings like morning, afternoon and evening and report any other symptoms associated with this high blood pressure reading.


I hope to exchange more with you before concluding on what the explanation and way forward is. I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (28 minutes later)
The list of medicines is: Labetalol, Hydrochlorothiazide, and Amlodipine.

I take 200mg of labetalol in the morning around 6:30-7:30am with 25mg of Hydrochlorothiazide and 5mg of Amlodipine. Then around 5:30 pm I take 400mg of Labetalol again.

My bp reads are as followed:
1/24...123/96 11:30am
1/24...116/87 8:11am
1/23...145/109 8:18pm
1/23...110/82 11:14am
1/23...129/90 9:21am
1/22...150/108 5:14pm
1/22...109/86 7:01am
1/21...147/103 8:29pm
1/21...115/89 7:56am
1/21...122/89 1:28am
1/20...152/115 7:47pm
1/20...118/88 4:10pm
1/19...121/87 9:13pm
1/19...114/83 10:34am
1/18...128/91 4:21pm
1/17...112/85 8:51pm
1/16...112/87 11:48 am
1/15...113/80 8:10pm
1/14...130/98 5:18pm
1/14...122/86 7:27am
1/13...132/96 4:34pm
1/12...121/87 5:44pn
1/12...122/87 7:54am
1/11...115/86 7:57am
1/10...127/91 6:21pm
1/10...109/83 8:12am
1/08...136/95 6:06pm
1/07...121/91 4:24pm
1/06...136/98 12:36pm

They just seem to be rising...the doctor is trying me on different combinations of medicines. But, the differences are freaking me out. Just want to make sure I am not in any risk of a heart attack or stroke. Also, I try to walk at least 30mins a day and have cut my salt intake. I do have 10lbs to lose before I am in normal range of my weight. I really don't have other symptoms besides the headaches, blurry vision...sometimes I do get a pain or ache in my left side of my chest.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
These numbers are fr more reassuring than you sounded.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the detailed readings.

Please, these readings are good and I will not want to see you go looking for magical pills. Blood pressure typically fluctuates and the average is the better indicator. But for some outliers, your readings are good. I will suggest your doctor maintains you on the same medications at least for a 1-2months before making any changes. Be relaxed and know your readings are not any concerning for stroke or heart attacks.

I hope you get my point. Keep me posted. I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (27 minutes later)
Thanks so much!!!! it is just hard sometimes not to worry with all the talk of having a heart attack or worse stroke if your blood pressure is high....thanks for all your help!!!!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and be relaxed. there is so much information out there that causes more harm than calm the worries of clients. do not always buy in without talking to a professional.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Whenever need be, I am here for you.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Chobufo Ditah

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 6323 Questions

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What Causes High Blood Pressure After Delivery?

Brief Answer: Please, give me a detail scheddule of your drugs!(Dosages and time) Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this wide discrepancy in your blood pressure readings. This is very unlikely to be explained by a disease condition than being influenced by external factors such as stress, physical activity, etc. For now, there is no major reason to get worried. My plan would be to get a list of your medications, dosages and how you take them in a day. Then, we would be able to review. I will also like more readings like morning, afternoon and evening and report any other symptoms associated with this high blood pressure reading. I hope to exchange more with you before concluding on what the explanation and way forward is. I wish you well.