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Suggest Treatment For Weakness And High Blood Pressure
Question: I suddenly became very weak and extremely tired about a month ago. I was calmly watching TV at 9pm when my Bp spiked at 220/87. It normally stays around 140/65. It eventually went down and settled at 170/68 when I fell asleep. The next day, it was 125/58, but I was and still am vey weak and tired. I had a blood test by a doctor and everything was fine, still I have had no let up in my illness and he has no diagnosis. I am a male 84yrs. old and very active. I am on 3 BP meds and have had no problem with side effects in all the time I have been on them. My heart is in sinus rhythm and I have 4 stents placed over 3 years ago. I look and act much younger than my age. My overall feeling is like a virus that doesn't go away. I feel cold in the evenings even though the temp. is in the 80's.
Brief Answer:
Normal aging process; other tests
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. I understand your concerns. Thank you for your question.
Well, these phenomena may be merely produced by the normal aging process. Being on three anti-hypertensive medication actually provides a good control to the high blood pressure figures, so that spike could have been a one time thing. Also, these are not symptoms that may refer that stents are not functioning.
Now, since you are 84 years of age, there are some changes through which the organism goes. For instance, there may be senile changes in some heart structures, or other structures of the blood flow, that may interfere with the blood supply to the brain, hence producing the feeling of general malaise. Therefore, I would not be confined in only blood tests.
I would also recommend the following tests:
- an echo cardiogram - to evaluate the heart structures, mainly the valves, which, in this age, may undergo some calcific changes which would explain the obstruction of the blood flow;
- a 24 hour Holter rhythm monitor - to see if there are any rhythm or conduction disturbances happening throughout the day
- an echo Doppler of the carotid (neck) arteries - to assess if there are any obstructions to the flow there.
I hope you find my answer helpful. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Normal aging process; other tests
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. I understand your concerns. Thank you for your question.
Well, these phenomena may be merely produced by the normal aging process. Being on three anti-hypertensive medication actually provides a good control to the high blood pressure figures, so that spike could have been a one time thing. Also, these are not symptoms that may refer that stents are not functioning.
Now, since you are 84 years of age, there are some changes through which the organism goes. For instance, there may be senile changes in some heart structures, or other structures of the blood flow, that may interfere with the blood supply to the brain, hence producing the feeling of general malaise. Therefore, I would not be confined in only blood tests.
I would also recommend the following tests:
- an echo cardiogram - to evaluate the heart structures, mainly the valves, which, in this age, may undergo some calcific changes which would explain the obstruction of the blood flow;
- a 24 hour Holter rhythm monitor - to see if there are any rhythm or conduction disturbances happening throughout the day
- an echo Doppler of the carotid (neck) arteries - to assess if there are any obstructions to the flow there.
I hope you find my answer helpful. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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