Do I Need To Take Enalapril Continuously?

Hi,

Thanks for the query.

Let me address some of your concerns here and provide you with good information and reassurance. Regarding your symptoms of tiredness. This can be due to a multitude of causes. Certainly as you have expressed your query a low blood pressure can cause this type of thing. It is certainly possible that if your blood pressure medication is keeping your blood pressure at a low level then you would feel fatigued and tired.

It is obvious that at one point in your life. Your blood pressure was high enough that your recommended that you take medication. Sometimes if a patient makes some lifestyle modifications the blood pressure can come under better control and we can consider taking the medication out or reduce the dosage of the daily regimen.

These modifications include a change in diet or activity level. Sometimes even a modest degree of weight loss can lead to a significant decrease in average blood pressure.

If you feel that you have made some of these changes then it is certainly reasonable to consider discontinuing your medication but. I do want to make sure that the readings what you are getting are accurate. I would recommend that you pay a visit to your doctors office to have him or his nurse check your blood pressure to assure that you are getting accurate results. If at that point your blood pressure is appropriately controlled then you can have some supervision in taking the medication out of your daily regimen. Over time your blood pressure will need to be monitored while off the medication. It can take several days for the medication to completely work it's way out of your system.

Got your thoughts regarding fatigue being related to your blood pressure are quite accurate. I am hopeful that this is the real cause of your fatigue and if so as your blood pressure returns back to a normal range your fatigue should significantly improve. I would advise that you continue a very healthy lifestyle and activity level as this is certainly going to maintain your optimal health.

Again I thank you for your query. I hope my response has been both informative and adequate. If you have additional follow-ups I am available to address them.

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Hello and thanks for the followup.

100/55 is generally a good blood pressure and I would expect that after 3 days, the enalapril is almost completely out of your system. If you otherwise feel fine, I would continue to monitor the blood pressure and do not take any additional enalapril until you see your doctor or nurse. If possible, I'd like you to take your blood pressure on a different monitor somewhere else (friend or family member or pharmacy) just so we can verify that your readings are accurate.

Perhaps your diet or even your stress level has changes lately which can also have an impact on your blood pressure.

Grahm, again I wish you all the best and continued good health. Thanks again for your query and take good care.

Dr. Galamaga

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