Hypertension - How long to get tablet strength correct?

[Staple]

I'm currently grounded with Essential Hypertension, no cause can be identified so have been started on a course of Candesartan, initially 8mg which had no effect and now on 16mg, a week in they are showing only a minor effect, my BP averages 155/105 during the day at the moment down from 165/115.

Has anyone got any knowledge or had any experience of how long this process is likely to take, I'm sure it does vary from person to person?

[gingernut]

There are no set rules as such. At a level such as yours, I'd probably be revieing you weekly to fortnightly, fiddling about wit your medication on each visit.

Realistically, it may be several months before your bp is controlled, and you will probably require several meds. Having said that, the threshold your AME is looking at will be different (higher) than whay your GP is looking at, so hopefully your bp will be down to acceptable levels sooner rather than later.

I have in the past accelerated the process for patients, for different reasons than yours, but some say bringing bp down too rapidly can be detrimental.

More info here....post #16 http://www.pprune.org/medical-health/303414-blood-pressure-hypertension-thread.html

[Staple]

thanks for the quick reply, i'm a bit concerned that the GP is being a little over cautious having me completely signed off work at the moment. I'm in constant contact with my AME as well, I assume 160/95 is the threshold to get flying again?

[AMEandPPL]

I assume 160/95 is the threshold to get flying again?

JAR regulations actually specify 160/90, but this is more than just a numbers game.

Once BP is found to be raised, the question has to be asked : "is there any other increased risk of incapacitation from cardio-vascular causes ?" So, as well as treating and recording the BP, the AME will want to assess other things such as family history, blood tests (lipids & electrolytes), exercise ECG, echocardiograph (especially if any murmurs heard).

Once all that is deemed satisfactory, then a return to flying status can be considered.

[Der absolute Hammer]

When does vascular calficiation because of the high blood pressure and the risk of stroke become serious ?

[xraydice]

It took me 7 months before I was down to an acceptable level ,and then as a special reward for taking the tablets , dropping some weight and doing more exercise I was diagnosed with lone atrial fibrillation !As gingernut says the dosage review is very frequent,in my case weekly, I assume the more sedintary piloting of a desk and the reduction in exercise led to my downfall .I dont smoke and I dont drink either , and that makes it harder as there is not much else to give up.
I would say to anyone glancing at this thread, early diagnosis is essential and that can only be through regular check ups, but of course prevention is better than cure , if you can identify the cause of the problem ( I am convinced that the other half is a contributary factor ) .
.Staple, dont think for a moment you GP is erring on the side of caution or over reacting by signing you off. Happened to me , regard it as part of the treatment.All the best

[Staple]

JAR regulations actually specify 160/90, but this is more than just a numbers game

The 160/95 came from the CAA information sheet, but as you say it's more than that. I've seen a cardiologist, had an Echo Cardiogram, CT Angiagram and all the usual blood tests. Nothing is abnormal.

xraydice, thanks for the info and advice