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Taking Lisinopril And Atenolol. Blood Pressure In The Range Of 120's/70-80's. Will Stopping The Medicines Cause Any Effect?
Question: Hi, Thank you for any help you give. I have been taking Lisinopril and Atenolol for about two years. They have made my blood pressure in the range of 120's/70-80's. I now have run out of Health Coverage and will run out of prescription in five days. By stopping suddenly what dangers am I facing ? Immediately ? thank you, XXXXXXX
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
Your concern is understandable.
Acutely (soon after the medication is discontinued), the blood pressure will rise. It will likely to rise within 24 to 72 hours of discontinuation.
Your heart rate is also likely to increase because atenolol would normally cause a decrease in heart rate and without it there would likely be an increase.
It should not increase beyond the upper limit of 100 beats/minute.
You may want to obtain a blood pressure monitor that you can use at home so that you can keep an eye on the readings.
If blood pressure readings go very high ( the top value greater than 220mmHg and the bottom greater than 120mmHg) then hypertensive urgency can develop.
This is a condition where there is increased blood pressure but there is no damage to the organs in the body.
In this case the blood pressure is decreased slowly.
In contrast there is another condition called hypertensive emergency where the blood pressure is also very high but is causing damage
This presents with chest pain, shortness of breath, heart failure, kidney failure or stroke.
High blood pressure causes chronic changes. You may experience problems related to the persistent elevation.
This means you may not have any immediate problems but continued high pressure would cause changes to the heart, blood vessels, kidneys and increase the risk of stroke.
You may not have any effects for months or years while changes occur.
If you can maintain a healthy lifestyle by a healthy diet and exercise, it might reduce the blood pressure to a level that would not cause any issues.
Most medical guidelines advise at least 150min of exercise a week.This would strengthen the heart.
Your diet should have fruits and vegetables along with your meals, water, limited alcohol, limited sodas and fruit drinks.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Your concern is understandable.
Acutely (soon after the medication is discontinued), the blood pressure will rise. It will likely to rise within 24 to 72 hours of discontinuation.
Your heart rate is also likely to increase because atenolol would normally cause a decrease in heart rate and without it there would likely be an increase.
It should not increase beyond the upper limit of 100 beats/minute.
You may want to obtain a blood pressure monitor that you can use at home so that you can keep an eye on the readings.
If blood pressure readings go very high ( the top value greater than 220mmHg and the bottom greater than 120mmHg) then hypertensive urgency can develop.
This is a condition where there is increased blood pressure but there is no damage to the organs in the body.
In this case the blood pressure is decreased slowly.
In contrast there is another condition called hypertensive emergency where the blood pressure is also very high but is causing damage
This presents with chest pain, shortness of breath, heart failure, kidney failure or stroke.
High blood pressure causes chronic changes. You may experience problems related to the persistent elevation.
This means you may not have any immediate problems but continued high pressure would cause changes to the heart, blood vessels, kidneys and increase the risk of stroke.
You may not have any effects for months or years while changes occur.
If you can maintain a healthy lifestyle by a healthy diet and exercise, it might reduce the blood pressure to a level that would not cause any issues.
Most medical guidelines advise at least 150min of exercise a week.This would strengthen the heart.
Your diet should have fruits and vegetables along with your meals, water, limited alcohol, limited sodas and fruit drinks.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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