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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Blood pressure consistently higher in right arm in the last 2 months.
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Blood pressure consistently higher in right arm in the last 2 months.
by Sean-Dorand, Mar 30, 1999 12:00AM
: : I'm a 25 year old male. About two months ago I had an episode while
: : driving that sort of scared me. My right arm went completely numb. Went
: : to the hospital and they did an EKG and everything looked ok. In Aug98 I
: : was diagnosed with high blood pressure (150/110) and have gone through
: : several tests (stress test with echo, captopril enhanced renogram, MRI
: : of head pain). About 2 year ago I was 295lbs and my blood pressure was
: : 140/80 and I had a horrible diet. Now I am 260 pounds, I have a great
: : diet and I excercise regularly at the gym and lift weights and my blood
: : pressure is still 150/110. Taking 50mg of Tenormin seems to have brought
: : it down to 140/85. I don't understand the sudden increase in pressure
: : from 2 years ago. Ever since I had the episode 2 months ago, it seems
: : that my blood pressure is always 10 to 12 points higher in the right arm
: : than in the left arm and I get periodic numbness and tingly sensations
: : in that arm. I went to a neurologist cause I was having head pain as well
: : (which I no longer have) and they did an MRI and some nerve tests but they
: : all showed up normal.
: : How normal is it for BP to be higher in one arm and if that arm falls
: : asleep easily when sleeping in a crooked position or from time to time
: : gets tingly... what could be the causes? Should I be concerned? The
: : pressure in each arm used to be consistent 2 months ago.
: : Also since the episode 2 months ago occured, when I go to the gym and ride
: : the stationary bikes, sometimes my penis will completely fall asleep and
: : be numb. It never happened prior to the episode 2 months ago.
: : Today's readings:
: : Left Arm: Right Arm:
: : 126/76 143/89
: : 127/72 132/82
: : 134/76 140/92
: : Readings were taken when I woke up with a electronic BP monitor... about
: : 15 mintues apart.
: : Thanks,
: : Seann Dorand - ***@****
:
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD DLB, Mar 30, 1999 12:00AM
_
Dear Seann
Yes, you should be concerned. New onset high blood pressure in someone your age needs to be evaluated thoroughly. Again, the difference you describe between the arms could be nothing (a difference of about 10 is not so unusual) or it could be a clue to the underlying diagnosis, such as a coarctation of the aorta.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
