World news and discussion on TalkFuse.
Morning faintness on ramipril warrants blood pressure and heart checks
The article answers a reader who feels faint, particularly on getting up in the morning, and has low blood pressure and occasional skipped heartbeats. Dr Martin Scurr says the symptoms may be linked to ramipril, which can lower blood pressure, but advises a GP assessment because the irregular beats could also relate to past heart damage.
Readings of 105/55, sometimes 98/48, may be healthy for some people, but symptoms make them more concerning. Scurr recommends an ECG, blood pressure checks lying down and standing, and a kidney function blood test; medication may need adjusting or stopping under medical guidance. He advises avoiding strenuous exercise and not increasing salt intake until the heart has been checked.
In short
- Morning faintness may be linked to ramipril and low blood pressure.
- An ECG and lying-to-standing blood pressure checks are advised.
- Do not change medication or increase salt without medical advice.
Explained simply
Ramipril is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure and some heart conditions. It can lower blood pressure, which may cause light-headedness, especially when someone stands up.
Blood pressure readings vary between people, so a low number alone does not show whether there is a problem. Faintness and irregular heartbeats can have several causes, including the effects of medicine or earlier heart damage, so clinicians may check heart rhythm, blood pressure and kidney function before deciding whether treatment needs to change.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “DR MARTIN SCURR: The morning feeling of faintness that could mean you need a vital blood pressure medication change – especially if you’re on ramipril”.