Had to lower BP medicines

#1

Due to a heart condition I take BP medicines (not for high BP but to mitigate the heart condition)…but after 6 weeks on keto and dropping 25 pounds my BP became seriously too low… lightheadedness was severe and I went into the cardiologist who had me drop it in half. The medicines have been extremely effective in helping me recover LVEF so I want to keep them but clearly anyone taking BP medicine (and presumably other types) should monitor the need for them with medical help. BTW, my cardiologist was the one who (before I even thought about doing keto) said “the only way to lose weight is just to cut out the carbs!”

('Jackie P') #2

Since starting Keto I have come off my propanolol, candersartan, diltiazem, omeprazole and simvastatin!
I am a nurse and have the advantage of being able to check my blood pressure, blood sugar and ketones at work. When I first started Keto I went to a ward and asked them to check my BP as I felt so peculiar . It was 85/50! Previously 140/90 with 3x BP meds. Now its 125/75 with no meds.
I just take Apixaban now and a bit nervous to stop it as I had a TIA a few years back and was found to have AF.
It always seems ironic that I paid prescription charges for years and by the time I reached age 60, and eligible for free NHS prescriptions, I came off all but 1! Not really complaining :blush:

(Carl Keller) #3

Of course it could easily be the medication that was affecting your heart function, but I wonder if you increased your electrolytes since going LCHF? My lightheadedness was easily fixed by increasing my sodium to 2+ teaspoons per day. Eating magnesium and potassium rich foods helped normalize my heart rate which got a little wonky at one point.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #4

I was able to cut back the propanalol from 80 to 60. Hoping I can get off it altogether.

(Central Florida Bob ) #5

Back around the end of last year, I had a few days where I felt lightheaded, too. I took my BP and it was around 110 over 70. I had been on valsartan for about 15 years. I had a six month follow up with my GP at the end of February, so I started tracking it. It averaged 112 over 73. I was shocked to get a 90/60 one day.

We agreed I’d knock off the BP meds and track it until my next visit. He said if my BP went up so that the diastolic was over 90 to go back to the BP pills. So far, the only time I measured that was at my dentist!

So far, keto has gotten me off my statin, my asthma inhaler (pulmicort flexhaler), and apparently now my BP pills.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #6

Looking at salt intake is a great suggestion, and good for people who are not taking blood pressure medications to know about. If the thread were not about BP meds, I’d definitely have brought up salt intake myself.

But it needs to be stated that when blood pressure medications are in the picture, they are definitely the place to start. I don’t know if low sodium and consequent hypovolemia can cause us to faint, but low blood pressure certainly can, and that has safety implications.

(Marianne) #7

I wish!

Good for you!

(Marianne) #8

Do you get this mainly in your water?

(Carl Keller) #9

~A warm mug of salted bone broth
~Salting your food to taste
~Lightly salting your coffee
~Periodically tossing a dusting of salt under your tongue
~Using hot sauce on your food (poultry and eggs goes well with hot sauce). Most hot sauces have a ton of sodium in the them. Just be careful to avoid the carbier ones.

(Marianne) #10

Great suggestions; apart from salting my food, I am mainly drinking salt water which is kind of nasty.

(Carl Keller) #11

I agree. I tried that for a while but it felt too much like torture.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #12

Add a bit of lemon juice to the salt water. I love it that way.

#13

I am taking one of these every day… I had my Mg and K checked by the cardiologist and both in range… will maybe up the salt…
https://shop.perfectketo.com/products/electrolytes?variant=3104849395733&gclid=CjwKCAjw2cTmBRAVEiwA8YMgzVRUEtVKfbit-_jertt18Lofyga2yo0O1-3EiykNAVxvhqo36fFrgxoCBXAQAvD_BwE

(Jane- Old Inky Crone) #14

My cardiologist told me to go back on Keto and to fast. I wish all doctors were so enlightened!

(Carl Keller) #15

@Fracmeister Let us know how it goes please. I hope you get this worked out soon!

#16

Dropped meds in half in time for a very nonketo week in NYC and no problems. Back in low carb mode and still some issues. I just don’t take any if systolic <100

(Kiranjeet Bhabra) #17

I jus started proponolol.for anxiety but i have serious side effects with chest pains…doctor tol me 2 reduce 2 5mg of proponolol but its still having same symptoms

(Empress of the Unexpected) #18

That is odd. I started taking it for mitral valve prolapse and it relieves my chest pain. Has your doctor figured out what is going on?