High blood preassure and benzo

[blazie]

Hi,

This is a question that I don't want to ask my doctor
Are there any bad side effect if you are recreationally using benzo or DHC while taking hypertension drugs eg. Cozaar?

[chera]

Hi,

This is a question that I don't want to ask my doctor
Are there any bad side effect if you are recreationally using benzo or DHC while taking hypertension drugs eg. Cozaar?

If you did ask your doc, I'm sure the first thing they'd tell you is that when recreationally using any benzo in itself there's gonna be a chance of bad side effects. This would entirely depend upon which benzo and what kind of dose you are taking.

I do know that certain benzos (xanax, valium, ativan etc) are often prescribed in conjunction with medications to treat high blood pressure, especially if you also have heart problems. Benzos tend to have a calming/relaxing effect that help to lower ones blood pressure and heart rate. HOWEVER, this is whenever taken in "normal" dosages. I don't really know what kind of effect these might have on your bp if taken in large or excessive amounts (if that's what you mean by recreational use). I can't imagine that it would be too good though. But, if your just talking about taking a xanax or so on occassion to help you chill out, I think you'd be okay.

[mustang]

Benzos lower your blood pressure straight up, which is why they use them for alcohol and benzo withdrawals when your head is about to explode. Recreationally no - habitually and in large quatities - yes.

[billyboy1965]

Benzos lower your blood pressure straight up, which is why they use them for alcohol and benzo withdrawals when your head is about to explode. Recreationally no - habitually and in large quatities - yes.

That may be true, but is a generic answer to a specific question. You don't know his/her current health status and if there are any comorbidity issues. Only her doctor can answer that question.

[etinin]

I find the practice of using benzos for chronic treatment of high blood pressure a very bad practice. They are way too dangerous and addictive. I find their usage acceptable only in the case of emergencies when the BP is high and hard to control and the patient is nervous.
Overusage of addictive medication is a bad idea and could have tragic consequences.

[mustang]

That may be true, but is a generic answer to a specific question. You don't know his/her current health status and if there are any comorbidity issues. Only her doctor can answer that question.

Very good point and stated correctly.

[vyudo]

I find the practice of using benzos for chronic treatment of high blood pressure a very bad practice. They are way too dangerous and addictive. I find their usage acceptable only in the case of emergencies when the BP is high and hard to control and the patient is nervous.
Overusage of addictive medication is a bad idea and could have tragic consequences.

Great post. I have both anxiety and hypertension, but use Klonopin for my anxiety and Inderal for my blood pressure. Taking benzos strictly for high blood pressure does sound like a bad idea.

[blazie]

Last month, my blood pressure is like 170/110, my doctor prescribe me cozaar 50mg which i took daily.
and also without my doctor knowing(I don't want him to ask me how or where i get it from. ss4u might not be the source that he want to hear), i alternately took 2mg klonopin or 10mg valium to help me sleep every night(I consider this recreational because i prescribed it myself) .
last week, when i went to for another batch of cozaar, my blood pressure went down to 120/100.
my doctor was shocked and i really don't know weather it's the cozaar or the klonopin/valium that reduce it.
ps. why i didn't ask my doctor for something to help my insomnia, i have already explain that in my post in other thread. in other word, i am tired of asking and getting flu meds that doesn't work.

[blivet]

I find the practice of using benzos for chronic treatment of high blood pressure a very bad practice. They are way too dangerous and addictive. I find their usage acceptable only in the case of emergencies when the BP is high and hard to control and the patient is nervous.
Overusage of addictive medication is a bad idea and could have tragic consequences.

While this can work in the acute case, there is a risk of benzo withdrawal leading to BP rebound. I suspect that's the main reason it isn't used for regular BP control. Not a doctor myself, but maybe one of our health care provider could offer an answer.

[abbygirl]

My blood pressure used to be in the 160/110 range until my doc came up with the right combo of meds. Normal now, and medical benzo use does'nt raise or lower it.

[pwr002]

@blazie benzos will only drop one's(given they are of average health) maybe a few points both systolic and diastolic. There are several important factors to consider, a. how long has the benzo been used on a regular basis(one that uses regularly really will likely not notice a drop in blood pressue as, the body is used to this dose), if I were taking cozar and a benzodiazpine regularly as prescribed for anxiety then I would not miss a dose of cozar. b. benzodiazpines only will help to lower(more often the systolic or top number) if one presents with an elevated blood pressure due to anxiety, and the systloic BP is sensitive to acute stress. Most doctors would not use benzodiazpines as drug of choice for blood pressure as this classification of drugs does not target the mechanisms which the body regulates blood pressure through.
....but I would ask my Dr., definately as blood pressure is very serious issue, and you do not have to say you are using recreationally, simply say you take it on an as needed basis and get his opinion. question though when you take you anxiety medication do you check your blood pressure? If so is it normal, high, or low? this could help you to solve your dilemma if not solved already.

I apologize if I confused you....Just my two cents and a lot of reading

[etinin]

I've just been RX'd Rivotril in order to rule out anxiety as a cause of paroxysmal hypertension. I really think an organic cause is more likely but since he wasn't familiar with a more sensitive test for pheochromocytoma compared to the urine 24-hour catecholamines test, he decided to employ it, together with a beta-blocker and allopurinol, until I can have an appointment with a cardiologist he referred me to.

[Yiv2012]

Benzos will either make a big difference or not at all.

They do lower your blood pressure, but if you're naturally a "chill" person, the effect will be not as drastic as someone who is constantly anxious because it doesn't do anything for vascodialation... just stablizes the heart some. Eliminates the fight or flight response...

If you were on an old-fashioned beta blocker, most of the physical effects would already have been expressed.

[Jeanne]

I take 20mg of valium daily. I have high blood pressure and I also take 2 blood pressure pills (ramipril and norvacs) plus a water pill. My blood pressure is still higher than it should be. I don't think the benzos have much of an effect on my blood pressure.

[cashman1]

My doctor gives me inderal/propranolol which is a medication that treats both my high blood pressure symptoms but also works to keep my anxiety in check. I find it very effective as it has lowered my blood pressure and my anxiety levels.

[RedBaron]

My doctor gives me inderal/propranolol which is a medication that treats both my high blood pressure symptoms but also works to keep my anxiety in check. I find it very effective as it has lowered my blood pressure and my anxiety levels.

I've heard of propanolol, before, but I'm sure not an expert on medicine. I have heard that it is used for heart conditions, as well as anxiety, although it's DOA is pretty short (especially compared to something like clonazepam). @blazie maybe you should talk to his doc about this treatment potential...

[blazie]

@blazie benzos will only drop one's(given they are of average health) maybe a few points both systolic and diastolic. There are several important factors to consider, a. how long has the benzo been used on a regular basis(one that uses regularly really will likely not notice a drop in blood pressue as, the body is used to this dose), if I were taking cozar and a benzodiazpine regularly as prescribed for anxiety then I would not miss a dose of cozar. b. benzodiazpines only will help to lower(more often the systolic or top number) if one presents with an elevated blood pressure due to anxiety, and the systloic BP is sensitive to acute stress. Most doctors would not use benzodiazpines as drug of choice for blood pressure as this classification of drugs does not target the mechanisms which the body regulates blood pressure through.
....but I would ask my Dr., definately as blood pressure is very serious issue, and you do not have to say you are using recreationally, simply say you take it on an as needed basis and get his opinion. question though when you take you anxiety medication do you check your blood pressure? If so is it normal, high, or low? this could help you to solve your dilemma if not solved already.

I apologize if I confused you....Just my two cents and a lot of reading

My blood pressure now is around 120/100. Taking cozaar everyday. My doctor is still worried about my lower which he says should be around 80-90.
I'm still taking benzo regularly to helps me sleep + anxiety.

I do notice that my blood pressure does drops to 120/90 if i takes 1mg of xanax before BP checks and If i didn't take any benzo before BP checks, it would be around 130/100.

@blazie maybe you should talk to his doc about this treatment potential...

The last thing i want my company doctor to know is i'm hooked on benzo

[chris100]

My blood pressure now is around 120/100. Taking cozaar everyday. My doctor is still worried about my lower which he says should be around 80-90.
I'm still taking benzo regularly to helps me sleep + anxiety.

I do notice that my blood pressure does drops to 120/90 if i takes 1mg of xanax before BP checks and If i didn't take any benzo before BP checks, it would be around 130/100.



The last thing i want my company doctor to know is i'm hooked on benzo

I took mine yesterday and mine was 139 over 98. I know that bottom number 98 has to come down. Im on blood pressure medication but i dont think its helping. Guess i will have to see my family doctor about that. That 98 number should be at 80 or 85.

[blazie]

I took mine yesterday and mine was 139 over 98. I know that bottom number 98 has to come down. Im on blood pressure medication but i dont think its helping. Guess i will have to see my family doctor about that. That 98 number should be at 80 or 85.

Yeah my doctor also advice me to take more fiber and change my diet. I am working on that too now. getting the bottom number to 90 and below is my goal now.

[chris100]

Yeah my doctor also advice me to take more fiber and change my diet. I am working on that too now. getting the bottom number to 90 and below is my goal now.

Good luck to you blazie!!!!