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Chronic Hypertension, Has Walking Disability Post Stroke With Lowered BP. What Is The Cause Of Reduction In BP?
My mother is 90 and had been on high blood pressure for several years. She had a small stroke that seemed to only affect her balance. After finding out she had a stroke about 10 hours later she ended up in the ER with High Blood Pressure. She lost all of her ability to walk by herself and to even get out of bed by herself. 3 weeks ago she went from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility for rehab . She has worked 5 days a week with the PT and OT and hasn t made significant gains as far as strength -- she is still mainly in a wheelchair and does walk with a walker as long as the PT is with her and for only short distances. Her blood pressure has also dropped and usually runs in the 90 s over 50 s with several days in the 40 s. Our goal is to get her back to independent living but I am wondering if that is viable option and also what could be causing the low blood pressure. She does show some confusion as well but that is not all the time. I just don t know what to do or think --
Sat, 28 Jul 2012
hello.your mother has improved well with respect to her age.blood pressure of 90 mm Hg systolic is normal for her age if other systemic examination findings are normal.
if she is currently on any of the anti-hypertensives, it might well be stopped as per clinical monitoring.
ensure that her fluid requirements are adequately met and she doesnt remain dehydrated which might as well lead to lower blood pressure readings.also ensure adequate salt in her diet to maintain adequate blood pressure.
if rest of everything is normal including her general condition, sensorium and other systemic examination finding is unremarkable , a blood pressure reading of 90 mm Hg systolic (upper reading) should be considered as acceptable for the age of 90. a physician's or a neurologist's opinion might suffice before taking a decision.
hope i have helped you to an extent.
if she is currently on any of the anti-hypertensives, it might well be stopped as per clinical monitoring.
ensure that her fluid requirements are adequately met and she doesnt remain dehydrated which might as well lead to lower blood pressure readings.also ensure adequate salt in her diet to maintain adequate blood pressure.
if rest of everything is normal including her general condition, sensorium and other systemic examination finding is unremarkable , a blood pressure reading of 90 mm Hg systolic (upper reading) should be considered as acceptable for the age of 90. a physician's or a neurologist's opinion might suffice before taking a decision.
hope i have helped you to an extent.
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