Blood pressure and lithium question

Does anyone know if being on lithium can contribute to a rise in blood pressure?? I usually have 120 over 80 and even sometimes 96 over 62 but today it was 144 over 92!!??!! I feel okay but will take it each day and if it remains on the higher side I will call my doc, I already have an appt. on the 26th. but will still call him anyway. Just was wondering if that blood pressure jump is why I've been feeling lethargic and/or the meds. Cam if your're out there what do think? Oh by the way I think the Canadian skating couple at the olympics should have got the "gold" not the Russians!
Take care,
"darkeyes" 2nd day off cigarettes

DE - Hmmm.... If I had to guess I'd say that the increase in blood pressure is would be due to stopping cigarettes. An increase in anxiety can increase blood pressure.

Usually, if at all, lithium will decrease blood pressure. It can cause an increased heart rate, but there is usually no significant increase in bp.

How are you checking your bp and how many times did you check it? Something as simple as walking around a bit can raise your blood pressure. Also, the time of day that you take it can affect the reading, as can placement of the cuff. I wouldn't worry about one or two readings on one day. You should be concerned only if the readings are fairly steady over four days in a row, with all other factors remaining relatively equal.

As for Jamie and David (the figure skaters) rumor has it that there was collusion with some of the judges (one of them has stepped forward). Hey, they wouldn't have got noticed if it wasn't for this debacle. Jamie actually comes from my hometown of Red Deer, and us rednecks are known to speak our minds. I agree, they did win. Even though us hockey players use to ***** that the figures skaters gouged the ice and caused ruts to form when they used the rink before us, we can still tell, and would complement them, when they did do something flawlessly.

- Cam

<font color=orange>"Sometimes you may be shown the light in the strangest of places, if you look at it right"
- Robert Hunter</font color=orange>

darkeyes,

On the many occasions I have tried to quit smoking I have noticed a temporary increase in my blood pressure, which is always quite normal (about the only normal thing about me). I think it's a pretty common thing. Like Cam says, keep an eye on it if it lasts long term. It may just be some anxiety over quitting. I tried the patch last time and was told that I looked like a "hamster on amphetamines". I felt like one too....

I hope your doing OK?

bp