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What Causes Low Blood Pressure With Dizziness And Weakness?
My mother is 80 177 lbs and 5 2 and her blood pressure has always been low. Around 120/78 Three weeks ago she was in the doctors office and it was 136/78 and the doctor put her on meds for hyper tension. She cares for a companion that has dementia and early stages of Alzheimer and it can be quite stressful. She has been experiencing weakness, light headed and falling asleep. (usually alert). Something seems wrong to me. Advice?
Wed, 30 Sep 2015
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern, and would explain that these are common symptoms along patients with Alzheimer.
Anxiety could be the cause of this clinical scenario (high blood pressure).
But an episode of high blood pressure, measured at the doctor office, doesn't indicate for sure arterial hypertension. It may be just a "white coat syndrome", which means that her blood pressure results higher when monitored by the doctor, maybe from the anxiety and fear related to the doctor consult or the hospital.
While the weakness, light headed may be related to a decrease in her blood pressure by the antihypertensive therapy.
Have you measured her blood pressure after starting the prescribed therapy?
I recommend you to closely monitor her blood pressure different times during the day (in sitting position, after 15 minutes of total relax) and report these values to her doctor.
If her blood pressure is below 130/90 most of the time, you should discuss with her doctor the possibility of stopping the antihypertensive therapy.
A neurological consult would be necessary for a careful physical exam, some cognitive assessment tests and finding the best therapy to help her with her memory problems and psychological stress.
Hope to have been helpful!
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern, and would explain that these are common symptoms along patients with Alzheimer.
Anxiety could be the cause of this clinical scenario (high blood pressure).
But an episode of high blood pressure, measured at the doctor office, doesn't indicate for sure arterial hypertension. It may be just a "white coat syndrome", which means that her blood pressure results higher when monitored by the doctor, maybe from the anxiety and fear related to the doctor consult or the hospital.
While the weakness, light headed may be related to a decrease in her blood pressure by the antihypertensive therapy.
Have you measured her blood pressure after starting the prescribed therapy?
I recommend you to closely monitor her blood pressure different times during the day (in sitting position, after 15 minutes of total relax) and report these values to her doctor.
If her blood pressure is below 130/90 most of the time, you should discuss with her doctor the possibility of stopping the antihypertensive therapy.
A neurological consult would be necessary for a careful physical exam, some cognitive assessment tests and finding the best therapy to help her with her memory problems and psychological stress.
Hope to have been helpful!
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
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