Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Undiagnosed Symptoms (Expert Forum)
extreme flucuating BP
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
Questions in the Undiagnosed Symptoms forum are answered by Dr. Kevin Pho. Topics covered include breathing difficulties, feeling cold, cough, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, fever, indigestion, itching, nausea, numbness, pain (chronic), paralysis, rash, sweating, swelling, urination problems, and vomiting.
extreme flucuating BP
by belair, Jun 29, 2008 11:38AM
My 83 yeat old mother was admitted to the hospital with blood pressure that was going from 214/85 to 74/ 34 within about an hour or so.This was just laying down. The ER was monitoring this back and forth for a few hour and decided to admit her. She has become orthostatic in the last few months following a back surgery,but the big back and forth has only been in the last week. She never gets headaches but now she feels a band around her head when its high and feels light headed and faint when it is low. And she sweats up periodicly for no apparent reason. All the blood work, ct scan, abdominal test,(she has an arortic anurysm), and heart and kidney test have come back OK.A few months ago, a vascular DR found a blockage in an artery in her kidney and wanted to do a stent. she was weak after her back procedure and wanted to go home. He said it was OK to wait. Now no one is talking about that procedure. Could that be whats causing the BP problem? She has been there 3 days with changeing meds and no one really seems to know.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jun 29, 2008 12:35PM
, Jun 29, 2008 12:35PM
I agree with the testing thus far, as it would exclude most major causes for labile blood pressures.
One consideration would be to do a tilt-table test. This can evaluate for autonomic dysfunction, which can lead to severe swings in blood pressure as well as orthostatic hypotension.
This is normally done by a cardiologist, and this option can be discussed.
Another consideration would be a neurological condition. A brain MRI as well as a referral to a neurologist can also be considered.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com
One consideration would be to do a tilt-table test. This can evaluate for autonomic dysfunction, which can lead to severe swings in blood pressure as well as orthostatic hypotension.
This is normally done by a cardiologist, and this option can be discussed.
Another consideration would be a neurological condition. A brain MRI as well as a referral to a neurologist can also be considered.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com
Member Comments (2)
by belair, Jul 03, 2008 12:51AM
To: Dr.Pho
Thank you for your right-on reply The Dr from the hospital came in yesterday,a neuologist, and said it was exactly that. Autonomic neuropothy or dysfuntion. Im glad they found that, but it took them a week to determine what you did in a day.. Thanks again . sincerly, Tina
