Blood Pressure Assessment: 117/79 mmHg on Amlodipine and Seasonale
Yes, a blood pressure of 117/79 mmHg is well-controlled and represents excellent blood pressure management on this medication regimen. 1
Blood Pressure Target Achievement
Your patient's BP of 117/79 mmHg falls well below all current guideline-recommended targets:
Systolic BP of 117 mmHg is significantly below the <140 mmHg threshold recommended by multiple major guidelines including the American Heart Association, European Society of Cardiology, and American College of Cardiology 1
The achieved BP is even below the more intensive <130 mmHg target that some guidelines recommend for high-risk patients, demonstrating optimal control 1
Diastolic BP of 79 mmHg is below the <80 mmHg goal recommended for patients with diabetes and other high-risk conditions 1
Amlodipine's Role in This Control
Amlodipine is highly effective at achieving and maintaining blood pressure control throughout a 24-hour period:
Amlodipine provides smooth 24-hour BP control with its long half-life (35-50 hours) and duration of action exceeding 24 hours after a single dose 2, 3
The medication effectively reduces both systolic and diastolic BP, with mean reductions of approximately 17.5/13 mmHg in clinical trials 4, 5
BP control is maintained even if a dose is missed, providing continuous protection in case of incidental non-compliance 2
Seasonale Considerations
While oral contraceptives containing estrogen can potentially elevate blood pressure in some women, your patient's current BP demonstrates that:
Any potential hypertensive effect from Seasonale is being adequately controlled by the amlodipine regimen 1
The combination is safe to continue as long as BP remains well-controlled with regular monitoring 1
Clinical Recommendation
Continue the current regimen of amlodipine and Seasonale without modification. 6, 2
Monitor BP regularly (every 3-6 months) to ensure continued control 6
No dose adjustment of amlodipine is needed at this time, as the patient has achieved optimal BP control 2, 5
Reassess if BP rises above 130/80 mmHg on subsequent visits, which would indicate loss of control 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Do not discontinue or reduce amlodipine dose simply because BP is "too low" - a BP of 117/79 mmHg is not hypotensive and represents excellent control without orthostatic symptoms 5, 3
Do not assume oral contraceptives must be discontinued - the current regimen demonstrates effective BP management despite potential estrogen effects 1
Avoid switching medications unnecessarily when BP is well-controlled, as amlodipine has proven cardiovascular benefits beyond BP reduction 2, 1