What Causes Drop In BP Levels After Taking Amlodipine?

Posted on Thu, 28 Sep 2017

Question: First of all I an an lpn in fl.I have a friend of mine that has had a stent put in a year ago she was 95 blocked,and it was a success. she is seen at the va in st pete at the hospital for a number of things, and is doing well for her age of 93.she has been doing well. lately her blood pressure was high at 170.60. it has been going up and down so her dr XXXXXXX stomquist at bay pines hospital added amlodipine besylate 5 mg a day along with asa which she always takes, took her of Plavix, and told her to stay on asa 81 mg. with valsartan 320.mg,a day. her blood pressure without taking amlodipine in the last to days her pressure is 130/60 today 145/50 she has been getting chest pain off and on when breathing and feeling pressure in chest when she took the new amlopine her pressure went to 110 over 50. when she lays down for a half hour it goes away. and she is fine she is a nervous person by nature, she eats well. but in the past two days she lays down no fever.what might be going on here?

Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (46 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please refer to the detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am

After going through the medical details provided by you I would like to tell you that age is a big concern here as aggressive treatment won't be good for her. Few things here are important

1. If her blood pressure is less than 150/90 mmhg then she need not take amlodipine as it can cause her blood pressure to drop making her feel drowsy and fatigued.

2. As she is having on and off chest discomfort 1 year after angioplasty ideally it should be evaluated by angiography and then further treatment plan but considering her age group lot of other things need to be taken in consideration so in her case optimal medical management for chest discomfort will be ideal.

I hope this information will answer your query

Kind Regards
Dr Bhanu Partap

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Bhanu Partap (2 hours later)

Should I ask the dr that she goes to have this done? XXXX

Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes you can discuss this with your doctor regarding what all options she has.

Detailed Answer:
Yes you can discuss this with your doctor regarding what all options she has.

Do not directly tell your doctor to go for a Angiography, give him a clue and take his opinion.

Hope to have been helpful.

Kind regards
Dr Bhanu partap

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D