Sudden resolution of hypertension

[DavidK 19]

About a week ago I fainted. As I have been loosing weight I have been adjusting my blood pressure medication, taking half of my prescribed amount, or a quarter. When I am taking too much, I feel dizzy and start to and feel like I might pass out, though this was the first time I have actually passed out. I decided to not take my blood pressure medication the following day, and on day 2 after not taking it I was at 103/70. This was really low for me, I have generally been around 130/90 while on my medication. I decided to monitor my blood pressure and just stay off the medication.

Now I am about a week out, off my meds, and my blood pressure is very stable around 115/70, sometimes a little more right after eating, but never at my old numbers. In my head I'm thinking "this is too good to be true". At about 230lbs I was still seeing high numbers while taking half of my medication, at 220lbs just a few weeks later it seems like my hypertension has pretty much resolved.

I feel fine, and I am continuing to check my blood pressure every few hours both at home and at work. I am a little concerned about how sudden it was though. Has anyone else had a sudden resolution of their hypertension like this?

Also before anyone suggests it, I know I should go visit my doctor and talk to him about this. I will likely set up an appointment next week, and in the past he has said that I can adjust my own dosage as long as I am regularly checking my blood pressure.

[Djmohr 6,965]

I experienced the exact same thing. As of June I am off all blood pressure medication. Now my blood pressure and heart rate run low.

In fact so low that it shocks most health care professionals. My lowest was 80/55 and my heart rate goes as low as 40s everyday.

Because of this, if I stand too fast I get very dizzy the room goes black and I have even passed out once.

After having many many tests to check my heart, adrenal system they attribute it to my massive weight loss. The instructions I received are to stand up slowly, wiggle my hands and feet before I stand up and take it slow.

The good news is, my body is getting used to it and I only have a dizzy episode once or twice a day vs. every time I stand up.

This issue is very common with post WLS patients and there is a whole thread on this topic from about a week or so ago.

[Radar 204]

I am looking forward to the day I can get off my blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol drugs. My surgery is in 2 days. I'll be careful with my meds when I get out and visit my doctor if anything seems strange.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

My surgeon told me to stop taking my HBP meds immediately after surgery because for most wls patients, their HBP resolves pretty much right away. He was right. I stopped my meds -- my pressure was high for the first five days or so after surgery (bariatric nurse said probably pain related), then went into the normal-low range and has stayed there ever since. I have a home blood pressure cuff and checked it regularly for the first six months after surgery. Since then just at the doctor. I've never had an elevated reading again.

[DavidK 19]

Thanks for the info everyone, glad to know that its normal.

My surgeon told me to stop taking my HBP meds immediately after surgery because for most wls patients, their HBP resolves pretty much right away. He was right. I stopped my meds -- my pressure was high for the first five days or so after surgery (bariatric nurse said probably pain related), then went into the normal-low range and has stayed there ever since. I have a home blood pressure cuff and checked it regularly for the first six months after surgery. Since then just at the doctor. I've never had an elevated reading again.

I tried going off the meds earlier in my journey, but my blood pressure kept creeping up, once it hit about 150/100 I went back on them but in a lower dose. I have a pretty bad family history of hypertension which was the primary reason I had WLS.

[James Marusek 5,244]

Sounds O.K. to me. I lost 20 pounds pre-op and noticed that my blood pressure was getting low so I cut the dosage in half. After RNY surgery I noticed that my blood pressure was getting low at about 2 weeks and so I discontinued my blood pressure meds. I told my doctors when I saw him months later and he concurred. Like you I monitored my blood pressure for awhile. I am now 28 months post-op and my high blood pressure continues to be in remission.

[Chrystee 838]

I experienced the exact same thing. As of June I am off all blood pressure medication. Now my blood pressure and heart rate run low.

In fact so low that it shocks most health care professionals. My lowest was 80/55 and my heart rate goes as low as 40s everyday.

Because of this, if I stand too fast I get very dizzy the room goes black and I have even passed out once.

After having many many tests to check my heart, adrenal system they attribute it to my massive weight loss. The instructions I received are to stand up slowly, wiggle my hands and feet before I stand up and take it slow.

The good news is, my body is getting used to it and I only have a dizzy episode once or twice a day vs. every time I stand up.

This issue is very common with post WLS patients and there is a whole thread on this topic from about a week or so ago.

Good to hear.. my heart rate sits around 44 resting, and Doctors keep seeming alarmed at this. I also exercise a lot, running and cycling..

[Radar 204]

My surgery was on September 21st. I have not taken a single bit of my blood pressure or diabetes medicine since then and both my blood sugar and blood pressure are perfect!!! Overnight I was fixed!

[DangerMouse007 105]

Same here. Took BP medicine for a few days post-op, but my blood pressure would get very low. I would also get the dizzy spell when standing up. I stopped taking it about 3 days out. I haven't been on it since (nearly 2 months), and my blood pressure is fairly stable and "normal". Love it since that was easily my most expensive prescription medicine that I was taking at the time.

Edited October 1, 2015 by DangerMouse007

[skinnyrita 188]

High BP was the reason my cardiologist suggested WLS surgery. I went off medication last month at my surgeon's suggestion and I've not had a problem. Last week at my regular physical it was 110/88. Talk about a NSV!!