Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Are Anxiety, Chest Pain, Daily Headaches And High BP Symptoms Of Menopause?
Question: For the past few months I have had increasing anxiety, slight chest pain, daily headaches, and high blood pressure. I have seen a cardiologist , had EKG, stress test, seen a neurologist and had an MRI, blood work done , and all things seem normal. I have been watching sodium intake, excercising daily and meditating , the cardiologist said he wanted to monitor my progress before putting me on blood pressure medication. My primary care Dr. Put me on 5 mg lisinopril. Which Dr. Should I listen to? Also I am 51 and have had only about 3 to 4 periods this year, I am not due for my gynecologist app. Until January . Could all of my symptoms be related to me menopause? And lastly, the anxiety is becoming the worst, I am afraid of being on something for anxiety, but feel I made need it temporilary, is there such a thing as going on anxiety medication , and being able to go off it safely ? And if so which medication do you recommend , I have a naturally lower resting heart rate, so don't think a beta blocker is an option? Thank you
Brief Answer:
Anxiety, menopause
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. I understand your concerns.
Well, while a woman is going through menopause, goes through a lot of neuro-hormonal changes, due to changes in levels of hormones produced by the human body. Also, having the whole cardiac check-up which came back normal, I think that this whole situation is due to menopause. In case of the blood pressure-lowering drug, I think none of your doctors are wrong.
Actually, my opinion would be that even I, also, if you had been my patient, would recommend to regularly check the blood pressure, rather than having you started on medications immediately. On the other hand, Lisinopril 5 mg is not a very high dose, it is more to control these pre-hypertensive conditions.
The second problem, the anxiety. Regarding your questions, yes, it is safe and recommended to be put on a short-course with a drug of benzodiazepines (whichever). By short-course, I mean seven days up to a maximum of fourteen days. However, before doing that, I would also recommend you to see a clinical psychologist, who may provide solution to your anxiety even by consult(s), without any drugs needed. No beta-blocker is needed either at this moment, this is my opinion.
I hope I was helpful with my answer. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Anxiety, menopause
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. I understand your concerns.
Well, while a woman is going through menopause, goes through a lot of neuro-hormonal changes, due to changes in levels of hormones produced by the human body. Also, having the whole cardiac check-up which came back normal, I think that this whole situation is due to menopause. In case of the blood pressure-lowering drug, I think none of your doctors are wrong.
Actually, my opinion would be that even I, also, if you had been my patient, would recommend to regularly check the blood pressure, rather than having you started on medications immediately. On the other hand, Lisinopril 5 mg is not a very high dose, it is more to control these pre-hypertensive conditions.
The second problem, the anxiety. Regarding your questions, yes, it is safe and recommended to be put on a short-course with a drug of benzodiazepines (whichever). By short-course, I mean seven days up to a maximum of fourteen days. However, before doing that, I would also recommend you to see a clinical psychologist, who may provide solution to your anxiety even by consult(s), without any drugs needed. No beta-blocker is needed either at this moment, this is my opinion.
I hope I was helpful with my answer. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
