Re: Left Ventricular Hypertrophy & Mild Pulmonary Hypertension

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on March 27, 1999 at 19:42:36:

In Reply to: Left Ventricular Hypertrophy & Mild Pulmonary Hypertension posted by Jo on March 26, 1999 at 19:36:24:






Dear Doctor,
I have had a history of controlled high blood pressure for several years until about 9 months ago.  I woke up about 3:00 a.m. and had this feeling of impending doom and my lower legs started shaking uncontrollable.  I woke my husband up and had him check my blood pressure and it was 250 over 150.  We went to the E.R. and by then it had came down to 160/100.  For the last 9 months I have been having these episodes about once to twice a month and my weight has fluctuated 7-9 pounds according what diuretics the doctor has put me on.  I'm on 4 different blood pressure pills now and still having episodes  of paroxymal hypertension, dizziness, nausea, dyspnea.  I had a echo about 6 months ago and my cardiologist said it was ok and about 9 out of 10 women have this, which was I had a valve leaking.  Well I got a report today from that echo and the diagnosis was concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, mild pulmonary hypertension, and mild mitral and tricuspid regurgitation.  Is this anything to be concerned about?
Thanks,
Mary





Dear Mary
Yes, you should be concerned. The echo just reflects the bad effects that the blood pressure has had on your heart. However, the cause of all your problems appears to be the high blood pressure. Its paroxysmal nature bothers me. You should see a high blood pressure specialist (usually a cardiologist, in some places the kidney doctor) to be evaluated for several forms of "secondary hypertension." This refers to various causes of paroxysmal hypertension or severely elevated blood pressure, such as endocrine disorders, certain tumors and certain kidney diseases; these are all treatable and curable, unlike plain old hypertension which usually requires lifelong medications. I feel it is very important that you see such a specialist.
I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature.  Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor.  If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.

[cborae]

A related discussion, pulmonary hypertension was started.