BP issue

[AllLoadedUp]

In the last 2 weeks I decided to get more consistent and serious about my training. So I started getting up at 4 am and hitting the gym before work. Also eating more. I take 3 different blood pressure medicines each day. Yes 3. Been than way for the past almost 20 yrs. Runs in the family. Normally my Systolic is in the 120's or lower. Diastolic normally in the 60's or even the 50's. I developed a cough and my doc and I decided to drop the Lisinopril, its known to cause coughs, and just take the Hydrochlorothaizide. Well my blood pressure after a month seemed to be fine.

2 weeks ago when I started my new gym routine I also started taking each day 5gr of Creatine, 4000mg of Astragalus, and preworkout 6gr of L-Citrulline. I've probably gained 7-8lbs in that time. Just from eating more and hitting the weights every day. The problem is now my Systolic is reading in the 150's. So its jumped 25-30 points. This has me stumped. I do TRT, 250mg of Test E per week, been like that for about 4yrs. I've also been taking 4IU of GH per day for the last 4 yrs.

The only things that have changed are the supplements and working out more and the weight. I'm also now doing cardio more often. Never have done it much or consistently at all. I can't figure out what would cause my Systolic to jump like that? My diastolic is still in the 60's. Could it be the L-Citrulline?

I just had my calcium score done it was 7.13. My score was 4 back in 2018. Also just had another Echo done. My EF was 60-65%. Any ideas what could be going on here? May go back to my doctor and see about changing my BP meds again. Systolic in the 150's is way too high. I will be 52yrs old in a couple months. TIA.

 

[Fleezy]

what meds are you taking and at what dosages?

 

[AllLoadedUp]

what meds are you taking and at what dosages?

Losartan 100mg, Diltiazem 180mg and I was taking Lisinopril it was a 20/12. I'm only taking the 12mg part now which is the Hydrochlorothiazide. That's the diuretic part. It an odd combination and it took a while for my doc to figure out what worked for me but it does. I took Quinapril for years. But it got on a backorder and no telling when it would be back in stock. So my doc replaced it with the Lisinopril. Was on it a couple years before the cough popped up.

 

[bbxtreme]

7-8 more pounds is a lot for the body to adjust to and the heart. Especially if that weight is stabilized and not temporary. My money would be on the weight gain given it’s the metric that changed.

Now it could also be from stress, HPA axis dis regulation and lack of quality sleep. Or a combination of those factors with the weight gain. But if it was me I would drop any excess body fat and see if that resolves it and either way work with your doctor to adjust your meds to bring it back down.

 

[AllLoadedUp]

7-8 more pounds is a lot for the body to adjust to and the heart. Especially if that weight is stabilized and not temporary. My money would be on the weight gain given it’s the metric that changed.

Now it could also be from stress, HPA axis dis regulation and lack of quality sleep. Or a combination of those factors with the weight gain. But if it was me I would drop any excess body fat and see if that resolves it and either way work with your doctor to adjust your meds to bring it back down.

The weight is what I'm wondering about also. The thing is I'm not trying to gain weight. I've been about 262 for a while and I'm like 270-272 now. Its bizarre. I start exercising more and doing cardio and my blood pressure goes up. WTF. I'm 6'1 btw. I'm doing everything I can to get in 7hrs of sleep a night. Its tough. Get off around 7pm and need to be in bed by 9pm. I wear a Cpap of course. Have been for 13-14 yrs or so. I'm gonna see if I can get back on the Quinapril. I never developed a cough on it.

 

[AllLoadedUp]

I just took 3 readings. Just been sitting in my recliner. 159/61, 149/67, 154/61. F&&&CK. Now of course I'm gonna stress over it. Which is the worst thing to do.

 

[bbxtreme]

The weight is what I'm wondering about also. The thing is I'm not trying to gain weight. I've been about 262 for a while and I'm like 270-272 now. Its bizarre. I start exercising more and doing cardio and my blood pressure goes up. WTF. I'm 6'1 btw. I'm doing everything I can to get in 7hrs of sleep a night. Its tough. Get off around 7pm and need to be in bed by 9pm. I wear a Cpap of course. Have been for 13-14 yrs or so. I'm gonna see if I can get back on the Quinapril. I never developed a cough on it.

Sounds like a combination of the increased bodyweight ontop of the CNS stress from the increased exercise.

I would just stick with the Quinapril if you have no issues with it as many times with BP meds it comes down to what you best tolerate.

 

[AllLoadedUp]

Sounds like a combination of the increased bodyweight ontop of the CNS stress from the increased exercise.

I would just stick with the Quinapril if you have no issues with it as many times with BP meds it comes down to what you best tolerate.

Yeh the only reason I came off the Quinapril was it was backordered at the time and I was told they had no clue when it would be back. Was during all the supply chain shit.

 

[AllLoadedUp]

I forgot there was a big recall on Quinapril in 2022. That's what it was I believe.

 

[bbxtreme]

I forgot there was a big recall on Quinapril in 2022. That's what it was I believe.

Correct they had detectable levels of Nitrosamines in the drug which could cause cancer. But that’s all been cleared up and it’s a fine substitution for Lisinopril.

 

[AllLoadedUp]

Correct they had detectable levels of Nitrosamines in the drug which could cause cancer. But that’s all been cleared up and it’s a fine substitution for Lisinopril.

Pharmacist told me today Quinapril is discontinued. I use CVS. Seems odd. I read online its still made by some manufacturers. I'm gonna call a different pharmacy and see what they tell me. I've seen one place be able to get a drug and another pharmacy not know when they will get anymore.

 

[Sectør]

I agree with bbxtreme on it being the weight gain causing it

Since you gained 8lbs in 2 weeks, I’m guessing it’s a lot of water retention, which definitely can spike BP.

How’s your water intake? Increasing it is probably a good idea.

How’s your sodium intake? Decreasing it could probably help.

over consuming carbs can also cause some water retention (not sure what your diet is like)

 

[alfresco]

Silly Simple question but relevant . . . have you been using the same bp monitor?

 

[TrippplePPP]

I would drop the creatine. At least for now. You will immediately drop water weight which could only help the situation.

Also, when I had blood pressure issues at my worse I would run a beet or two through my juicer and that would knock my systolic down like 10-20 points for a couple hours. I would do that at night before bed as it would make me sleepy too.

 

[bbxtreme]

Pharmacist told me today Quinapril is discontinued. I use CVS. Seems odd. I read online its still made by some manufacturers. I'm gonna call a different pharmacy and see what they tell me. I've seen one place be able to get a drug and another pharmacy not know when they will get anymore.

Have you tried Benazepril or Ramipril? I had not seen the FDA notice on Quinapril, but just looked it up and they’ve stopped producing it since the recall. The other two will likely do the trick though as alternatives.

 

[AllLoadedUp]

Silly Simple question but relevant . . . have you been using the same bp monitor?

Yes. Same one I've had for years. My doc recommended it. Its always been accurate.

 

[AllLoadedUp]

I agree with bbxtreme on it being the weight gain causing it

Since you gained 8lbs in 2 weeks, I’m guessing it’s a lot of water retention, which definitely can spike BP.

How’s your water intake? Increasing it is probably a good idea.

How’s your sodium intake? Decreasing it could probably help.

over consuming carbs can also cause some water retention (not sure what your diet is like)

Most likely it is the weight. I drink a lot of water. 1.5 gallons a day easy. I'm trying to cut back later in the evening. I'm waking up sometimes 3 times a night to piss. In my 50's now. Lol. My carbs are mainly oatmeal. Plus one scoop of Carnivore Mass gainer in 2 separate shakes a day. I don't think one scoop has a lot of carbs. Would have to look. I have a problem staying full. My stomach will literally wake me up at night if I don't eat something filling before bed. Very annoying.

 

[AllLoadedUp]

Have you tried Benazepril or Ramipril? I had not seen the FDA notice on Quinapril, but just looked it up and they’ve stopped producing it since the recall. The other two will likely do the trick though as alternatives.

Haven't tried those. My top number has calmed down some. Mainly in the high to low 140's. Bottom number is either in the low 60's or high 50's. Gonna keep an eye on it and see how things go the next couple weeks. I think it was/is mainly water now. I looked really full all of a sudden and now it seems to have calmed down some. I dropped GH for a week. Not sure if that has affected it or not. I started back last night. 3IU before bed. Gonna see if my top number starts creeping back up into the 150's. Thing is I've been on GH basically non-stop for last 4 yrs or so. And my top number was fine. So a little skeptical that is the cause all of a suddden.

 

[AllLoadedUp]

I would drop the creatine. At least for now. You will immediately drop water weight which could only help the situation.

Also, when I had blood pressure issues at my worse I would run a beet or two through my juicer and that would knock my systolic down like 10-20 points for a couple hours. I would do that at night before bed as it would make me sleepy too.

I may drop the creatine. I haven't taken it for years and decided to start again. Can't hurt.

 

[Hbone]

I took it Creatine for three days my BP shot way up ! stop imediately . Worth a try