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Can Digestive Issues Cause High BP?

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Posted on Mon, 7 Jul 2014
Question: Can my BP spikes that happen just in the evening can be related to digestion? I notice this happens after eating acidic food.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Not correlated with food, dose readjustment

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking!
Postprandial hypertension ( hypertension after meals ) is not likely. It is quite the other way around. Postprandially blood pressure falls as most of it redirects to the belly vessels. SO your blood pressure spikes are not related to the food.But it is rather related the inadequate antihypertensive management of metoprolol.It should be increased to 50 mg and the medicine should be taken in the evening twice a day. It will spare the flare ups and spikes.
Keep an eye on your electrolytes as they may get deranged with diuretics.
Following diet and lifestyle modifications need to be addressed.
Weight loss (range of approximate systolic BP reduction [SBP], 5-20 mm Hg per 10 kg) not likely in your case as 104 pounds is cool.
Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 oz (30 mL) of ethanol per day for men or 0.5 oz (15 mL) of ethanol per day for women and people of lighter weight (range of approximate SBP reduction, 2-4 mm Hg)
Reduce sodium intake to no more than 100 mmol/day (2.4 g sodium or 6 g sodium chloride; range of approximate SBP reduction, 2-8 mm Hg)[7]
Maintain adequate intake of dietary potassium (approximately 90 mmol/day)
Maintain adequate intake of dietary calcium and magnesium for general health
Stop smoking and reduce intake of dietary saturated fat and cholesterol for overall cardiovascular health
Engage in aerobic exercise at least 30 minutes daily for most days (range of approximate SBP reduction, 4-9 mm Hg)

Stay in touch with your cardiologist and be a part of AHA programs to be out of trouble.
I hope it helps.Dont forget to close the discussion please.
May the odds be ever in your favour
Regards
S Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (24 hours later)
Thank you very much doctor for you answer.
I meant not just after eating food but acidic food ( like gout , feet and hands get inflamed after eating to much acidic food). My bp spikes happen once in 3 or 4 months. I don't know what triggers the bp to go up and go up so high. Can it be hormonal changes?
Or to much salt or sugar in my diet, thou I try to eat very healthy, very little sodium. Is it a way to find out what is causing my bp to rise suddenly so high (190/11)?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (20 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Need work up

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me!
The sudden spikes in blood pressure is of concern, especially if the spikes are very high. Fluctuations in the systolic blood pressure to the 140-150 mmHg range can be seen with minimal exertion or anxiety and is most likely normal. Spikes that reach into the 180-200 mmHg range, however, is more likely to be abnormal, and does raise concern for conditions such as pheochromocytoma. This is a rare adrenal gland tumor that indeed “leaks adrenaline” and causes surges of symptoms that usually include racing heart beat, excessive sweating, and headaches, accompanied by very high spikes in blood pressure. This is evaluated by checking levels of adrenalin compounds in the blood and the urine. If there an abnormal level of adrenalin compounds is detected, the tumor can be detected through a variety of scans including CT scanning. There are a number of other conditions that can mimic pheochromocytoma that should also be looked for, such as abnormal drops in blood sugar (hypoglycemia), certain prescription drugs that can influence the body’s ability to proceed adrenalin, over the counter drugs or supplements that have stimulants in them, or recreational drugs.

With either symptoms of sudden rapid heartbeat or high spikes in blood pressure during exercise, one should be evaluated by a primary care physician prior to a physically demanding program such as boot camp. There are some rhythm abnormalities that are dangerous, and excessive physical stress can be unsafe. Exercising with the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma would also be ill advised. Depending on the initial findings, a consultation from an endocrinologist, cardiologist, or an electrophysiologist could prove helpful.
get to your doctor and let them evaluate your for these options.
I hope it helps.Don't forget to close the discussion please.
Take care
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

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Can Digestive Issues Cause High BP?

Brief Answer: Not correlated with food, dose readjustment Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking! Postprandial hypertension ( hypertension after meals ) is not likely. It is quite the other way around. Postprandially blood pressure falls as most of it redirects to the belly vessels. SO your blood pressure spikes are not related to the food.But it is rather related the inadequate antihypertensive management of metoprolol.It should be increased to 50 mg and the medicine should be taken in the evening twice a day. It will spare the flare ups and spikes. Keep an eye on your electrolytes as they may get deranged with diuretics. Following diet and lifestyle modifications need to be addressed. Weight loss (range of approximate systolic BP reduction [SBP], 5-20 mm Hg per 10 kg) not likely in your case as 104 pounds is cool. Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 oz (30 mL) of ethanol per day for men or 0.5 oz (15 mL) of ethanol per day for women and people of lighter weight (range of approximate SBP reduction, 2-4 mm Hg) Reduce sodium intake to no more than 100 mmol/day (2.4 g sodium or 6 g sodium chloride; range of approximate SBP reduction, 2-8 mm Hg)[7] Maintain adequate intake of dietary potassium (approximately 90 mmol/day) Maintain adequate intake of dietary calcium and magnesium for general health Stop smoking and reduce intake of dietary saturated fat and cholesterol for overall cardiovascular health Engage in aerobic exercise at least 30 minutes daily for most days (range of approximate SBP reduction, 4-9 mm Hg) Stay in touch with your cardiologist and be a part of AHA programs to be out of trouble. I hope it helps.Dont forget to close the discussion please. May the odds be ever in your favour Regards S Khan