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What could be the cause for rise in BP?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Rishu Sharma

Medically reviewed by

Dr. K. Shobana

Published At December 18, 2016
Reviewed AtJune 5, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Last year, I joined a new organization, where the working hours are higher with both day and night shifts. Before joining the new organization, I had a stable blood pressure (less than 118/75 mmHg). About five months back, I felt feverish and visited a hospital for the same. That time, I came to know that my blood pressure had risen to 145/85 mmHg. Since then, my life has never remained the same. My parents are not hypertensive. I was having chest pain and sleeping problems from then. I was given Nifedipine for blood pressure and Lexotan for sleep. After taking these two drugs for two days my condition got worsened. I started having anxiety. I reported back to my doctor. In fact, I personally stopped using those drugs.

My BP dropped to a range of 125-130/87-80 mmHg. Since I was not comfortable with the blood pressure, I bought a blood pressure monitor to check at home. I am a food technologist. So, I started working on the food I eat. But, my sleeping problem and anxiety worsened. So, I decided to take my annual leave and that was about three months back. After resting for a month, my blood pressure dropped to 110-118/75-72 mmHg. My BP dropped without any drug, only with the inclusion of fruits and vegetables in most of my meals. I resumed work around two months back. In the first week of this month, my blood pressure had started rising again. I have been looking for a new job, but you understand the economic crisis now. I feel the shift in work is not good for my system. During the morning shift, my blood pressure ranges from 140-125/85-80 mmHg. During the night shift and off days, the BP ranges between 112-119/75-78 mmHg. What could be the cause for this rise in BP? I was thinking that maybe the restaurant food I consume during the morning shift as the probable cause because during a night shift, I eat at home. I am 35 years old. My weight is 74 kg and height is 180 cm (6 feet).

Answered by Dr. Rishu Sharma

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

A blood pressure of 145/85 mmHg comes under grade 1 (mild) systolic and prehypertensive diastolic blood pressure. Nifedipine use should be stopped as soon as possible. Nifedipine can cause hypotension and results in severe tachycardia. Basically, you do not need any medication for blood pressure right now. Your problems are because of your higher anxiety levels. I suggest you do 45 minutes of strenuous exercise daily. Avoid oily and fast food. Take a low salt diet and eat lots of fibers and fruits. Drink plenty of water. Stop all the antihypertensive medications. For your raised anxiety level, I suggest you take tablet Clonazepam 0.25 mg once before sleep for 14 days. Please consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her and take the medication with consent. Do not overthink about the blood pressure. Food cannot cause this problem, especially if you do not have an acid peptic problem or heartburn or peptic ulcers.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Rishu Sharma
Dr. Rishu Sharma

Cardiology

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