Can Herceptin cause high blood pressure?

SandyBB · 11-15-2005, 10:55 AM

I did a search on the site, and didn't come up with anything directly - and I read the herceptin.com web site and saw nothing -
I have had 4 infusions of herceptin (1.9 years after finishing treatment for stage 2B). My blood pressure at my last infusion on Friday was really high and I just had it checked at work and it is still really high - especially for me since I have always run low... I have a call into my doctor, but wanted to ask -

Do any of you know if herceptin can cause hypertension?

Sheila · 11-15-2005, 05:49 PM

Sandy

It could cause high blood pressure, and also if it affects the heart it could cause the B/P to rise....also fluid retention...maybe a mild diuretic will bring it back down.....if not, a muga scan may be in order. I do know that mine is monitored every treatment. How high is it running above normal? Sounds like probably an easy fix, but one to take action on. You did the right thing by calling the Dr. If you are monitoring it on a B/P machine like at the drug store or Walmart...those aren't always the most accurate things...they get bumped etc. way too much to maintain true accuracy for a B/P that might need close monitoring. Let us know what you find out.

astrid · 10-28-2006, 02:14 PM

My blood pressure is also high. Before BC, my blood pressure was 110 over 70 at most. My last visit to the doc, my blood pressure was 150 over 75. My doctor said that it was not due to the herceptin. I am having a muga test on November 7. I have been on Herceptin since june of 2006. So almost 5 months.

Sandy H · 10-28-2006, 05:06 PM

My B/P ran high while on Herceptin. I never took anything for it. I also retained lots of fluid but not in my hands or feet only in the waist area. I have lost nearly 15 pounds since being off Herceptin for 2 1/2 months. I feel so much better!! My mugas always came out good. I will watch and see if it goes down. I have not been watching it but I will. hugs, Sandy

Bev · 10-28-2006, 07:59 PM

Mine has crept up 10 points top and bottom scores while doing H. I guess if you are over 140, it's time to talk to a cardiologist and get a script to bring it down. Best of luck. BB

tricia keegan · 10-29-2006, 02:30 AM

My onc has just put me on meds for high blood pressure too and I'm almost finished my year of herceptin but never had a problem in the past as far as I know.
I don't know if it's the herceptin that caused it though,it was up all year during chemo and they thought it was just stress but had me wear a monitor for 24 hours at home to see and it did remain high even while sleeping.
Tricia

Susan · 10-29-2006, 05:16 AM

I too, developed high blood pressure while on herceptin. My blood pressure always ran low, stayed low during surgery, during chemo, then when I started herceptin last Dec, it started to creep higher and higher. My February I was put on a diuritic and then in April they added another blood pressure med. So now I was one two! I was taked off herceptin in August because of left ventricle heart issues, and I'm already off the one blood pressure med, and hopefully in time, I;ll be off the other. So I would say definately yes, the herceptin caused the blood pressure to go up in me.

Sue

Sheila · 10-29-2006, 05:42 AM

Mine too has always ran low...like 100/60....the last few times when I went to get Herceptin it was 145/92....then last week it was 110/77.....I do think the Herceptin can cause it to rise.

sassy · 10-29-2006, 09:45 AM

My blood pressure went up during taxol/herceptin and stayed up, had to go on meds. Mine had always been low, 90/60 and now runs 120/85 on meds. I may have to go on something more.
________
Child avandia

atdec05 · 10-29-2006, 06:26 PM

my blood pressure was low pre-Herceptin, and started to go up while on Herceptin. My readings are anywhere from 13X to 15X over 78 to 90. My onc. & PCP agreed to just observe it, and not give me anything. My echo LVEF fell slightly, but I was just cleared for my last 3 months of weekly Herceptin.

- Anna

Kimberly Lewis · 10-29-2006, 09:40 PM

My blood pressure went from normal to high since being on Herceptin. 159/90 was not unusual for me. I monitor it at home now and it IS lower when I am not in the Dr.'s office. Just being there stresses me out.... I do have to think this is emotional blood pressure, along with reaction to weight gain with treatment. I have tried to walk and kayak whenever I can squeeze them in.

rinaina · 10-30-2006, 01:35 PM

I too am having higher blood pressure since starting Herceptin in early September and this concerns me especially with my mother's history of heart problems which was the cause of her death. I used to have a pressure of 108/64 give or take a little and last reading was 150/96. My onc put me on a diuretic and it came down the next time I tested it at Target. I go next Thursday for my next Herceptin drip so I am anxious to see if it is officially down at the onc's office. He was wishy washy about committing the increase to Herceptin which what else could it be is my feeling. By the way, I also lost about 7 pounds after going on the diuretic as well.

astrid · 11-03-2006, 09:47 AM

I wanted to bump this one again. I go to the hospital on Tuesday to have a Herceptin infusion and I wanted to take this to thread to my ONC because when I asked if the Herceptin could be the cause of my blood pressure increase she did nt think so.

Bev · 11-03-2006, 10:31 PM

My onc nurse did say technique was everything. How much pressure on the cuff and listening for a change. During chemo BP was lower than before. Think dead, kidding. I do think it is somewhat subjective for 10 pts or so.

If you have a radical change, something is going on. BB

Lani · 11-04-2006, 04:16 AM

side-effects they attribute to herceptin--real or imagined.

Anyone?

Mary Anne in TX · 11-04-2006, 06:42 AM

My blood pressure is usually low (pre diagnosis), but runs high everytime now (yesterday first one was 166/102 and second one 144/92) I just assumed that it was being so anxious about the treatment. ma

tousled1 · 11-05-2006, 02:47 AM

My blood pressure was high before my dianosis of breast cancer. I was taking two medications daily. About a month or so after my diagnosis my blood pressure began to drop so my meds were discontinued. I am happy to say that my blood pressure is still normal with no meds. Isn't it strange how our bodies react

romo9 · 11-06-2006, 01:44 AM

I have never had problems with blood pressure 110/70 at the most. When I have it taken at the beginning of the Hercetin infusion it is fine but if the nurse waits til the end its 130/80 and stays there for several hours afterwards! Romo

rinaina · 11-06-2006, 07:07 AM

I am feeling that this just can't be a coincidence. Enough of us have had elevation in blood pressure coinciding with herceptin treatments so my belief is that it can be a side effect of herceptin. Has anyone contacted Genetic to see if it has been noted in their follow ups?

astrid · 11-06-2006, 07:12 AM

I will be glad to contact them if someone has the contact information.