High potassium - help

[pncwils]

In December l had a routine blood test for kidney due to re-occurence of high blood pressure, dr called me back for repeat as it was 5.4, the nexrt test was 5 he was okay about it, four weeks ago was put back on high blood pressure tablets but prior to starting them they carried out another Kidney blood test and four weeks later l was told bp down to 134/84 on 5mg ramipril but the blood test four weeks ago was high again and has to be repeated.

I m worried, l suffer from anklyosing spondilitis and despite that have been back and forward to gp wioth upper left abdo pain which she thinks came from my AS but also could be IBS as l am under alot of stress at work and home, l am also on hrt patches for horrific night sweats and flushes.  I have not felt right for well over a year and dr told me all down to menopause but somehow l have felt it could be something else, had upper left ultrasound and all okay, l do nto have a gallbladder and have recently put weight on without eating extra and was told menopause, feel very low, weight gain, also cold fingers and toes and heavy feelign in ankles and back just generally out of sorts, could this be the high potassium, l do not eat a lot of foods containing high potassium, l have a bland diet and no bananas etc

what couild the high potassium mean, or what is causig it and how is it treated
please help
thank you
a worried feb up lady running back and forward to the dr.... ps also have had taste of salt in mouth for months!

[pncwils]

Thanks for your reply, l only started ramapril and the test was done before thast... really worried

[CCFHeartMD11]

Ramipril can actually cause high potassium. If you already have high or borderline high potassium at baseline, then this is probably not the best choice of medication for you. There are blood pressure medications that can actually lower potassium, such as HCTZ, which is often a 1st line medication. Ask your doctor about this medicine.