Hi.....I just began my first-ever blood pressure medicine on Thursday.....I m taking hctz/thiazide. Felt really pretty good for the first few days. Today, however, my heartbeat is racing and I feel a little tightness in the chest . (and it sort of feels like my glands/neck are tightening, too (?)) I took my blood pressure and it is 150/90....just a little lower than when I saw the doc on Thursday morning. I m going to call my doctor first thing tomorrow morning, but I m just hoping I don t need to pay for a visit to the ER today, if it s nothing serious ! I m 49 year old, female.....generally good health and no allergies to medicines. I m about 40 lbs overweight ....never smoked or drank.