High Blood Pressure and Fast Heart Rate

[norcalian]

Has anyone here had issues with high blood pressure and fast pulse from WG or Pred? My heart rate is typically in pre-hypertension range and my resting pulse rate is typically anywhere between the high 80s and 110s...but it doesn't take much to send it up into the 120 - 130s. My GP has me on 50mg of Cozaar and 240mg of Verapamil. However, it doesn't seem to be helping (except my kidney numbers are improving...but that might just be from the WG meds). But my blood pressure is still the same and so is my heart rate. I'm wondering what sort of experiences people have with both blood pressure and these meds.

[GARYfromBOSTON]

When on higher doses of pred I get in insomnia. I wake up with my heart racing (I'm sure the racing heart has something to do me waking up!). Overall, I don't think I've had high blood pressure.

[pberggren1]

I get the same thing Gary when on higher doses of pred.

[Sangye]

Yup, same here.

[jola57]

Same here, I will add that I thought many a time that my heart would jump out of my chest:ohmy:

[Psyborg]

My heart rate and blood pressure are very low now compared to what they used to be. But I do get occasional racing/pounding of my heart. I've kinda chalked it up to the Prednisone.

[drz]

I still raise my heart rate 30-50 % when I exert myself at all like walking up 10 steps or putting on my shoes but my resting heart rate has finally returned to my previous normal levels as I tapered my meds down.. i am also on two meds for blood pressure and have to monitor it so I don't go too low. I hold one or two of meds when BP gets under 110 or 100.

[gmyi]

I am in remission from 9/2007 but the WG left some effects on me like kidney and I must be on meds to treat high heart bits and blood pressure it is not stable and my heart rate if I exert myself
I have another situation that I hear the sound of my heart biting and the air flowing with my breath from inside my head

[Aunnie]

Hi Norcalian,

I just noticed your thread...
I've had SOB and High BP since being diagnosed in 2007.
I wentto a Pulmonary Spec,did all the breathing tests,all normal
Then this year after extensive stomach surgery,3 days after discharge I was back in the Hosp. with SOB,140 standing.so after being observed for a few days I was put on Atenolol 50 mg 1 daily and that has done the trick.(I also saw a cardiologist and many heart tests and all are normal.So both DRs conclude that SOB is caused by Wegeners.

Hope that helps
Aunnie

[gmyi]

Hi Aunnie

I had also test my lungs and heart like you and all tests were OK it seems that is as you said related of WG consequences we have to live with that

[julia]

I take a pill for blood pressure.

While on pred my blood pressure was in the 130's on occasion. Usually was below 120.

My rhuemy said that the meds help the kidneys. I did not ask him to elaborate. Since I have been off pred my blood pressure is around 108-118. I still take the blood pressure medication.

[Stephanie78]

Just scanning over this post, at work so I haven't read everyones response so I apologize if I repeat anything already posted.
My first question is...have you had your heart tested? EKG? John (my husband) was having the same issues. After googling things I assumed it was due to the Prednisone (Which can cause it) as well as the disease itself (Your body has to work extra hard anytime there is an intruder). My husband was recently in the hospital due to other issues related with WG however his pulse rate was HIGH (at one point 168) and his BP was staying in the 175/115 range. They did an EKG which turned up as irregular. They ended up doing a Heart Cath which showed that he had an aneurysm of the main artery and one of his secondary arteries was 80% blocked. Due to not really knowing IF it had to do with the disease, since he had never had heart issues (he is 36) they had to assume it was caused by the WG.
They say that it is rare that the heart is included with the damage however it does happen (Actually more then people realize). They NEVER thought to test for Johns heart until he was hooked up to the moniters and they say how constant the high numbers were.

[Pete]

I met with my cardiologist today. I asked him about the cause of my elevated resting pulse rate. When I was younger and in great shape, my resting pulse rate was generally in the 60s. Now, at age 74, it is consistently in the 90s. I walk 2-3 miles 4-5 days a week, and pre-Covid, I did light resistance training at the gym. My conditioning, while not great, isn’t terrible.

My BP averages 140/80. I’m about 25 pounds heavier than my pre-wegs weight. I’ve been off pred for almost three years. I take meds for hypertension and BPH. I take bactrim 3x weekly. Daily, I take 10 mg loratidiene and 10 mg phenylephrine to keep my sinuses open and dry.

Doc questioned phenylephrine usage, but discounted it as a cause because I’ve been on it for 10 years. The elevated pulse started about 5 years ago. My EKG is unremarkable as was a heart cath a couple years ago. I refuse to take statins. Last lipid panel four years ago was borderline. Haven’t done one since because docs see no point if I refuse statins. No evidence of congestive heart failure.

Doc suggested I try red rice yeast as it is a homeopathic substance chemically similar to a statin.

I feel fine. Just concerned that my motor is racing unnecessarily.

[gmyi]

I am also in remission since 2007 and my hearth pulse is about 80 and BP 140/90 all hearth test and pulmonary were ok i have low kidney function

[drz]

I had to double my metropolol to keep my heart rate under 100 after I went on high dosage of pred to treat my GPA flare. I ended up in ER several times with heart rate over 140 until they adjusted my meds.