High Blood Pressure and Hypertension Forum - High Blood Pressure Related to Birth Control Pills?

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Q: High Blood Pressure Related to Birth Control Pills?

asked by: Flutter on January 13th, 2006

New User

I have discovered that I have high ('elevated') blood pressure a few months ago. I am probably about 20-30 lbs overweight but relatively healthy.

I read something about birth control pills being linked to causing high blood pressure. As anyone else heard of this? I haven't been on bc for a long time but I took it for about 3 months prior to my wedding/honeymoon in april of last year.

I stopped taking it once we got back and then about a month later my feet started swelling and I was getting headaches. After a couple of months dealing with it, I went to the Dr. My blood pressure was 145/102 in the office that day and the Dr. Sent me in to have some blood tests and an ekg. The tests show that I seem to have a salt sensitivity (that is what the dr said) but the ekg shows that heart appears to healthy at the moment.

So I have been trying to get back into the habit of exercising again and cut back on salt/sodium intake. My bp goes up and down but it is still a little high for my age, according to the Dr. The average seems to be 140/90.

Both my parents have high blood pressure too and I hear it is hereditary but I wonder if the bc pills have anything to do with it as well. And if so, will I always have this now or can the effects be reversed? I am trying to lower my bp without meds because I don't like taking drugs unless I just have to.

Thanks for reading my ramble and for any advice you guys can give.

~ flutter :)

Replies(4)

TLK

replied on January 26th, 2006

New User

Birth Control Pills & Hbp

I was also on birth control pills when my Dr. Discovered my blood pressure to be 150/110. I was 23, not overweight, always exercised, but I did like my salt. She took me off the pill (blameing the pills) and cut out my use of salt but it did not go down. Thats when I was put on medicine (reluctantly). After all the tests (ekg's, stress test, ect.) came back and everything was fine they labeled it hereditary. Needless to say 7 years later im still on bp meds with no sign of ever getting off them.

Flutter

replied on January 26th, 2006

New User

I have been trying to exercise more but I have found that walking and such makes my feet and ankles swell alot. So the dr recommended yoga and/or swimming to get me back in the habit. So I have been doing that for a couple of weeks now. But, I haven't seen any changes yet.

I have been getting better about cutting back on the salt. I am cooking more at home and that helps alot.

I checked my blood pressure the other day and it was actually in the 'normal' range (128/82)! And I am not on meds! So I wonder if I can keep this under control without meds? I still have a problem with my feet swelling from time to time though. I am taking water pills and trying to drink more water and hope that will help too.

I sort of want to get a blood pressure thing to keep at home but my husband thinks I will get obsessed and want to check it everyday. Right now, I just go check it at my dad's or my friend's house about once a week.

So I want to know what exactly the meds do to your body. Do they make you tired or lethargic and such? Both my parents are on bp meds and they always seem tired ... My mom still has high bp even on the meds, the dr's seem to have to keep changing her prescription.

Well, I don't know what my point with all that was ...

TLK

replied on January 26th, 2006

New User

They absolutly make you tired but you get used to it. Some meds are better than others but it all depends on you. There are so many out there with so many different side effects. It took my dr awhile to find one that worked for me. If your bp is down on it's own thats great, mine has just been really stubborn.

Flutter

replied on January 26th, 2006

New User

Ok, I checked mine a little while ago and it was back to like 140/90 ... I guess it could be because I am a little stressed today.

I am suppose to go back to the dr about this in march and I want to have made a change in my weight and bp so I will keep trying.

Gl with yours too tlk :d

~ flutter :)

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