Change to High BP while going through menopause???

[yikespanic]

Was told that my High BP was due to hormonal changes while going through menopause.  This is new to me as I have always had very low BP due to my POTS.    Woke up today with a headache and took my BP.   It’s ranging anywhere from 157/101 to high as 174/100.  Called primary got nurse on call, after answering all her questions I got an appointment for tomorrow early am.  This is all scary new territory for me.  She said If it goes up to 180 or higher go to ER.  Has anyone else gone through this?  

Kim

[Pistol]

I have hyprPOTS and am perimenopausal right now. I was told by my autonomic specialist that POTS symptoms can get worse during menopause. I myself have not really seen it getting worse - just changing in severity. The symptoms changed for me ( a lot more GI issues and anxiety related to syncopal episodes ). My BP has been running higher so I had to increase my meds. Plus - weight gain and more exercise intolerance. So - decrease salt intake for me. 

[StayAtHomeMom]

My husband has gone through something similar. Not menopause but he has blood pressure issues. If it goes over 180/110 take again after 10 minutes and if it doesn't go down go to the ER. Honestly all you can do is wait til the doctor can see you. They will probably give you meds to get it down. And then runs some tests to find out why. High blood pressure can cause stroke and/or heart attack.

I don't mean to scare you, if I am I am sorry. I am one of those people that the more information I have the calmer I am. For now try to relax, stay away from caffeine, and see your doctor. Women have unusual signs for heart attacks so make sure you know what those are and if you think you need to be seen now try calling the "ask a nurse" hotline some insurances have. They can advise as well. 

Has your high blood pressure only been today?

[yogini]

 Did you have low BP before?  Usually high BP causes problems over a long period of time.  If you get to the doctor tomorrow and get treatment, hopefully you will get it under control and feel better without any lasting effects.  

[p8d]

I am four years post menopause and have recently developed hypertension, mostly during the late mornings and afternoons.  Cardio called it essential hypertension.  I take clonidine to lower it.  I also get very hypertensive with too much activity, dr appointment, PT, visitors or being upright for longer than a half hour or so.  I take an extra dose (1/4 tablet) of clonidine if I have something scheduled.  The problem is for unscheduled things.  The clonidine lowers my BP in about a half hour.  I am also on Bystolic, a beta blocker.

[Guest KiminOrlando]

I am told hypoPOTS changes with menopause. I am going through this mess myself. I am oscillating between low BP and high BP. I started bioidentical hormones thinking it was nonsense, but, turns out this yam derivative med is working. They initially started me on my recommended dosage by pill, but my BP shot up and I got terrible migraines. We stopped it and moved to a low dose cream that we keep slowly increasing every month. This seems to be keeping my BP more even although not 'normal'. Not sure where I am going to end up, but it will be interesting.

Maybe your dysautonomia doctor might want to consider treating your new dysautonomia symptoms with hormones. This is why dysautonomia is so difficult to treat. You probably need a very astute OB/GYN who isn't just focused on babies. I had to find one that specialized in high risk OB/GYN. I called 7 offices and explained my case, asked for referrals to other OB/GYNs before I found one that wanted and understood my case. I drive an hour and a half to get to her. I'm ok with that, considering the alternatives. 

[Pistol]

@p8d I am currently peri-menopausal and my BP fluctuates up and down. I do not tolerate the high BP at all. My OB/BYN does not want ne to take HRT because she says it will increase the BP. So I started a supplement called chaste-tree 440mg twice daily, it has greatly improved the hot flashes. My autonomic specialist told me that the hot flashes cause the BP to drop during the episode and in response the BP will shoot up after. The supplement has helped to minimize the flashes and in turn aides in keeping my BP somewhat stable. --- My mother has POTS also and when she was my age (many years ago) no one knew about POTS but she was highly symptomatic during menopause and then after developed plain hypertension. This would be much easier to treat then both hypo/hypertension. There is also something that can develop - according to my specialist - that causes supine hypertension and upright hypotension. This is rare but very difficult to treat. 

[p8d]

@Pistol I tried HRT, BP got crazy high and went down to tolerable levels a couple of months after I stopped.  I do get some supine hypertension but it’s not nearly as bad.  I have developed pretty intense baroreflex sensitivity, drinking 8oz of fluids raises my BP by 20-40 sys so now I actually limit fluids during the afternoon/evening.  I am getting a bit of a handle on how much to keep the tachycardia away but everyday is different.  This is way different from when this all started 4 years ago.

[Pistol]

I am sorry @p8d - this stinks! But I see in myself that the BP fluctuations change with different things - apparently age being one of them. I have found GREAT relief of fluctuations and symptoms with IV fluids, I am starting them at home with a port this week. I hope this will bring some stability - we will see. I understand that this is not a preferred option and also that ther are many other - more accepted - treatments out there for many. But for me there has not been anything more effective in controlling my high BP than IV fluids. --- I hope you will also find a way to live with the fluctuations. I am here for you if you need me!