very high systolic, very low diastolic

[John08]

My aunt recently has measured extraordinarily high systolic measure (300+) and this has been complicated by a very low diastolic measure (50).  The dr. says he can't give high bp medication nor low pb medication because of the wide range, though he did indicate this was a very serious condition.  He told her there is nothing that he can do because of the wide range...I find this amazing (he's not a cardiologist).  Of course, she should and will be going to someone else for another opinion, but I wonder what would cause this and what are the possible treatments.

[Barbarella]

This doctor needs to go back to school if he has not referred your mother to a Cardiologist and or Hypertension Specialist.  

[Bev170]

Believe me when I say that I don't meant to be flippant.  But it by no means takes a rocket scientist to determine that this is serious.  Please get your Mother to another physician (a cardiologist) as soon as possible so that she will not have a stroke.  My uncle had this problem when he had a stroke 30 years ago.  Today, your mother may not have to suffer a stroke.  However, she needs to get to a physician who will place her on medication.  And, yes... there is indeed medication that can and will help your mother's condition if it has not worsened because of another illness or disease.  This is not a negative response to your post, rather a positive one if you take her to the doctor as soon as possible....a doctor who is willing to share with you what your mother's condition is.  I get so put out with doctors who do not offer a full discussion. And I'd surely have some questions for the one that said he can do nothing if I went back to him.  One of the questions would be, "What is your diagnosis?"  and "Why have you not heard of medications that can help my mother."  Please get back with us and let us know how your mother improves.  No doubt she will once seen by another physician.  Good luck to you both.

[kenkeith]

Systole blood pressure is almost always or at the very least associated with the vascular system's vessels that are narrowed and hardened (less elasticity) and that requires the heart to work harder to overcome the resistence.  There are ACE inhibitor medication that can dilate the vessels and lighten the heart's workload.

Kidney problems can cause higher blood pressure, but there is medication that can reduce fluids, and that will also help lower the workload, etc.

The doctor is committing malpractice to say because there is isolated sytole hpb it is untreatable.  There must be some misunderstanding?!

[va_tony]

My 93 year old mother had a similar problem.  Her systolic BP was over 200 while her dyastolic was about 70. Her GP was not able to deal with it but fortunately recommended a good nephrologist (kidney doctor who also treats hypertension). Although it took a lot of experimenting with various combos of meds, diuretics, etc. a mix of meds was found that (1) brought her systolic below 140; (2) reduced her ankle swelling; and (3) did not dehydrate her. As I understand it, her problem was brought on by a blockage in the blood supply to the kidney. One of the kidney's functions is to adjust electrolyte balance to either retain water or dump it to help control BP. With a blockage in the renal artery, the kidney sees a reduced pressure and attmpts to bring raise the BP in response, raising BP elsewhere in the body to dangerous levels.  This is a common cause of a high systolic pressure.

I strongly recommend your aunt see a good nephrologist/hypertension specialist asap. Even if the kidneys are not causing the high BP, the high BP will surely damage the kidneys. So it makes sense to see a nephrologist to avoid unnecessary kidney damage (some BP meds can cause further loss of kidney function). High blood pressure makes your heart work harder and, over time, can damage blood vessels throughout your body. If the blood vessels in your kidneys are damaged, they may stop removing wastes and extra fluid from your body. The extra fluid in your blood vessels may then raise blood pressure even more. It's a dangerous cycle. Your aunt needs to see a specialist. Her problem can be treated

Good luck

[Momto3]

Ditto on all of the comments above.  Please keep us posted.