ms and high blood pressure and rapid and palpitaion heart beat

[christinaavila2768]

I WAS DIAGNOSSED IN 2006 WITH MS. I NEVER HAD A SEVERE FLARE LIKE I HAD 3 MONTHS AGO. SINCE THIS LAST FLARE I HAVE ALOT OF PROBLEMS THAT THE FLARE LEFT ME WITH. SHAKING AND INVOLENTARY JERKING, COGNITIVE PROBLEMS, AND MY BLOOD PRESSURE AND RAPID HEART RATE WITH PALPITATIONS. I WAS TOLD THAT MS DOESNT EFFECT THE HEART. THIS IS MY QUESTION, CAN A FLARE OR NEW LEISIONS EFFECT YOUR HEART RATE, BLOOD PRESSURE, AND PALPITATIONS???? I AM CURRENTLY IN THE HOSPITAL, THEY ARE USING ALOT OF BETA BLOCKERS TO HELP STOP THE RAPID HEART BEAT AND PALPITATIONS. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS

[supermum_ms]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8289084

"J Neurol Sci. 1993 Dec 1;120(1):82-6.
Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in multiple sclerosis is likely related to brainstem lesions.
Vita G1, Fazio MC, Milone S, Blandino A, Salvi L, Messina C.

There was a significant association between presence of autonomic dysfunction and clinical (P < 0.02) and MRI (P < 0.005) evidence of brainstem lesions."

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20309394

"Int J Med Sci. 2010 Mar 11;7:62-7.
Autonomic dysfunction presenting as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Kanjwal K1, Karabin B, Kanjwal Y, Grubb BP.

Autonomic dysfunction is common in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) and orthostatic dizziness occurs in almost 50% of these patients. However, there have been no reports on postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) in patients suffering from MS.......CONCLUSION Patients suffering from MS may manifest autonomic dysfunction by developing POTS. Early recognition and proper management may help improve the symptoms of POTS."

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3075432/

"Painful and involuntary Multiple Sclerosis
Francesca Bagnato,1 Diego Centonze,2,3 Simonetta Galgani,4 Maria Grazia Grasso,3 Shalom Haggiag,4 and Stefano Strano5

5. CARDIOVASCULAR DYSFUNCTION (CD) IN MS
In patients with MS, CD is thought to be related to impairment of the reflex pathways in the brainstem [48] with involvement of the central-autonomic connections [38]. Both sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system may be involved. While impaired sympathetic functions are seen mainly in clinically active patients, cardiovagal parasympathetic impairment tends to appear during remitting phases of the disease [49]. "

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These are all published medical research papers specifically relating to MS and cardiovascular issues and MS and autonomic dysfunction..........I hope they help!

Hugs..............JJ

[supermum_ms]

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/getmedia/5ca284d3-fc7c-4ba5-b005-ab537d495c3c/DMT_Consensus_MS_Coalition_color

This 2014 coalition paper lists the main disease modifying drugs and the notable side effects/warnings and precautions. If you look down the list which i think is on page 8, you'll find the DMD your taking, and you'll be able to see if palpitations etc are associated with the medication your taking. It's not a comprehensive list of the side effects but at least it will give you one aspect to look into....

Cheers.......JJ

PS. I'm still looking for other research papers specifically relevant to your situation so bare with me cause it may take me awhile!

[supermum_ms]

Hi Christina

You question has landed in the neurology forum, it would probably be additionally helpful to you, if you posted your question in the MS community where other MS's can welcome you and provide you with the relevant information.

Firstly, MS actually can cause rapid heart rate with palpitations, there are too many diagnosed MSers asking this same question, we have a few MSers in the community with heart issues, I can think of one regular who has a pace maker now and a few others that have had heart attacks.

Although it's probably not as common as many other issues, MS can definitely cause autonomatic dysfunction effecting heart rhythm, be a side effect of a disease modifying drug or symptom treatment etc We have learnt on the MS community though, that everything isn't always directly caused by MS, it's entirely possible that you also have another separate medical condition, that has been missed because of having MS eg heart disease

I'll try and find the research for you, please rest and try to keep calm if you can and please consider joining the MS community :D

Hugs..........JJ
MS Community Leader