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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
periodic fluctuations in BP
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
periodic fluctuations in BP
by deadrocked, Mar 31, 2005 12:00AM
I have had four heart Cath's during the past 10 months. During my second cath, the report stated that I had elevated ST's - and that even the three shots of nitro into the heart did not regulate them - found out a proximal vessel appears to be dead. Now have three stents.
My question is that while taking all meds-Enalaopril 40mg/d,Isosorb mono 30mg/d,Plavix 75mg/d,Toprol xl 200mg/d,Lipitor 40mg/d, Asprin 325mg/d, Now for the momory loss since the third cath-Namenda 20mg/d and Effexor 75mg/d- Why does my body go through periods of what I call the triple triple with the BP and Pulse? I can be sleeping or relaxing and I experience a steady increase from my medicated norm of 117/72 - 74P to a three week period ranging from 165/111 102P to 184/124 118P?
I thought about anxiety - Tried Ativan- it works to an extent. BP lowers slightly but the pulse remains over 102 bpm. Had a holter test, of course during a non event-even so, my cardiologist says all is ok max rate 168bpm, avg 92bpm. Less than 2% events in super tach. Discovered Dyastolic Dysfunction during last Cath, Very dizzy, can't concentrate, numbness in upper arms and legs during the event, angina attacks, fall on occasion - WHAT WOULD YOUR CLINIC DO WITH A PERSON WITH THIS KIND OF HISTORY? Since the good Dr.'s I'm seeing cannot explain the troubles. I know that the body's metabolism changes but two events ago, my rates were 241/138 128p thats when I had my fourth cath and the DD was found and I went through another bout of memory loss. Please guide me on THE CLINIC'S veiw of this situation.
My question is that while taking all meds-Enalaopril 40mg/d,Isosorb mono 30mg/d,Plavix 75mg/d,Toprol xl 200mg/d,Lipitor 40mg/d, Asprin 325mg/d, Now for the momory loss since the third cath-Namenda 20mg/d and Effexor 75mg/d- Why does my body go through periods of what I call the triple triple with the BP and Pulse? I can be sleeping or relaxing and I experience a steady increase from my medicated norm of 117/72 - 74P to a three week period ranging from 165/111 102P to 184/124 118P?
I thought about anxiety - Tried Ativan- it works to an extent. BP lowers slightly but the pulse remains over 102 bpm. Had a holter test, of course during a non event-even so, my cardiologist says all is ok max rate 168bpm, avg 92bpm. Less than 2% events in super tach. Discovered Dyastolic Dysfunction during last Cath, Very dizzy, can't concentrate, numbness in upper arms and legs during the event, angina attacks, fall on occasion - WHAT WOULD YOUR CLINIC DO WITH A PERSON WITH THIS KIND OF HISTORY? Since the good Dr.'s I'm seeing cannot explain the troubles. I know that the body's metabolism changes but two events ago, my rates were 241/138 128p thats when I had my fourth cath and the DD was found and I went through another bout of memory loss. Please guide me on THE CLINIC'S veiw of this situation.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-MJM, Mar 31, 2005 12:00AM
Hi deadrocked,
It is tough to say for sure what we would do without meeting you and seeing all your records. I agree that variation in blood pressure/pulse like yours are usually due to anxeity related issues, but not always. There is an entity called a pheochromacytoma that causes changes like this -- but again, this is very rare -- and should be ruled out in these cases with a 24 hour urine test for metanephrines and sometimes a serum catecholamine test. Again, this is very rare.
Effexor is more a stimulating antidepressant, I would consider a more sedating medication like Paxil or Zoloft, but this is unlikely to be the complete answer.
It would be important to see the holter monitor to watch how the tachycardia originates and terminates to try to determine the cause, although it is most likely a sinus tachycardia.
If you are concerned you are not being treat fully, it is always safe to ask for a second opinion at a local medical center or to even come to Cleveland if you can. It is important to bring all your records -- like the actually holter strips, the echo tapes and cath films rather than reports. It makes the consulting much faster when you bring all the information with you.
I hope this helps and good luck.
It is tough to say for sure what we would do without meeting you and seeing all your records. I agree that variation in blood pressure/pulse like yours are usually due to anxeity related issues, but not always. There is an entity called a pheochromacytoma that causes changes like this -- but again, this is very rare -- and should be ruled out in these cases with a 24 hour urine test for metanephrines and sometimes a serum catecholamine test. Again, this is very rare.
Effexor is more a stimulating antidepressant, I would consider a more sedating medication like Paxil or Zoloft, but this is unlikely to be the complete answer.
It would be important to see the holter monitor to watch how the tachycardia originates and terminates to try to determine the cause, although it is most likely a sinus tachycardia.
If you are concerned you are not being treat fully, it is always safe to ask for a second opinion at a local medical center or to even come to Cleveland if you can. It is important to bring all your records -- like the actually holter strips, the echo tapes and cath films rather than reports. It makes the consulting much faster when you bring all the information with you.
I hope this helps and good luck.
YOUR ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!!!!!
We are humans and need to be treated as such. We are not a patient number or an A/R figure. My cardiologist heard about the added med and apologized to me on my follow-up visit to his office. I have a wonderful Pharmascist who stays on top of all of my meds and there interactions. He has even pushed a few suggestive buttons with my doctors.
Thanks for reminding us ALL, our daily soup (medications)need to be reviewed frequently so as there will be no adverse reations between them.
Hopefully I wiil be able to make it to the clinic during one of my trips to see the family, up there.
Thanks