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What Causes Hand Numbness And Dizziness While Treating High BP?
Question: My friend who is 57 year old male and a diabetic with high blood pressure, was off his bp med of lisiniprol for months, recently had an ER visit ( 4 days ago ) after the VA sent him there for high blood pressure. He has right arm numbness, dizziness (mostly upon standing) , hand numbness, right side lip numbness, that comes and goes. This has been continuing for days now. The numbness will go away sometimes upon sitting.Then the hand can be crampy or painful. Occasionally he feels a lump in throat. He believes he had a TIA, upon all the internet reading, but I would say that also except for the continual symptoms... he is 5'8, and 200 lbs. The ER here was not much help, as they just said he had hypertension, and low blood sugar, and sent him on his way.... any insight would be greatly appreciated.... he has no primary care doctor, and the the VA clinic does not treat emergencies.
Brief Answer:
rule out stroke, diabetic neuropathy
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Agreed, a TIA typically causes symptoms that last a short period of time, in many cases a few hours maximally.
It is possible that he had a mild stroke since the symptoms are ongoing. This would need to determined by a CT brain.
This first has to be ruled out.
The dizziness on standing may be due to an abnormal decrease in blood pressure on standing, this is called postural hypotension.
It can occur due to different causes including as a complication of long standing diabetes affecting certain nerves (autonomic nervous system). This is one cause.
Numbness and altered sensation may also be due to diabetes as well though there are other causes eg arthritis of the neck compressing nerves, vitamin b12/folate deficiency,liver or kidney disease
He needs to consider seeing a neurologist-for physical examination, for CT (rule out stroke), xray neck, blood tests (liver, kidney, vitamin levels)
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
rule out stroke, diabetic neuropathy
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Agreed, a TIA typically causes symptoms that last a short period of time, in many cases a few hours maximally.
It is possible that he had a mild stroke since the symptoms are ongoing. This would need to determined by a CT brain.
This first has to be ruled out.
The dizziness on standing may be due to an abnormal decrease in blood pressure on standing, this is called postural hypotension.
It can occur due to different causes including as a complication of long standing diabetes affecting certain nerves (autonomic nervous system). This is one cause.
Numbness and altered sensation may also be due to diabetes as well though there are other causes eg arthritis of the neck compressing nerves, vitamin b12/folate deficiency,liver or kidney disease
He needs to consider seeing a neurologist-for physical examination, for CT (rule out stroke), xray neck, blood tests (liver, kidney, vitamin levels)
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Are the numbness in the hand symptoms going to go away on their own? WE went to a CVS clinic and they wouldnt help- him. Tested blood pressure and it was anywhere from 123-140 ish .. different each time... all thought the heart rate was like 102-110. Dizziness is getting somewhat better, but still there. If the blood pressure gets too low would it cause the numbness?
Brief Answer:
yes, low blood pressure can cause abnormal sensations
Detailed Answer:
HI
Low blood pressure can cause decreased blood supply and numbness in some persons.
Both the top value (systolic) and bottom value (diastolic) are important.
Low blood pressure generally refers to readings less than 90/60 (90 over 60). Having said that, if a persons is used to much higher blood pressure, a drop in levels can cause problems though the readings may still be in the normal range eg if blood pressure normally 140/90 for someone and now 120/60, the decrease can sometimes cause problems.
The heart rate is high, the upper limit is 100.
It would really be best to see at least a family doctor who can start initial testing and refer him if necessary eg to a neurologist
Please feel free to ask anything else
yes, low blood pressure can cause abnormal sensations
Detailed Answer:
HI
Low blood pressure can cause decreased blood supply and numbness in some persons.
Both the top value (systolic) and bottom value (diastolic) are important.
Low blood pressure generally refers to readings less than 90/60 (90 over 60). Having said that, if a persons is used to much higher blood pressure, a drop in levels can cause problems though the readings may still be in the normal range eg if blood pressure normally 140/90 for someone and now 120/60, the decrease can sometimes cause problems.
The heart rate is high, the upper limit is 100.
It would really be best to see at least a family doctor who can start initial testing and refer him if necessary eg to a neurologist
Please feel free to ask anything else
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Well, he is insisting that he did have a stroke. Blood pressure has been relatively normal, at least sitting down.. today appeared higher when standing up reading he did. Most of numbness in lip has subsided, just back to arm/hand numbness. I cant talk him into going to a doctor, cause he thinks there is nothing they can do at this point. We went to store today and walking around a little bit, he got very tired and needed to sit.. If this was a stroke, will things get better on their own? Should he be taking regular aspirin or low dosage baby aspirin? any recommendations on whether exercise should start ? I wish i could get him to go to doc, but he is not having it...
Brief Answer:
yes, aspirin should be used
Detailed Answer:
HI
He should start aspirin daily , most diabetics and hypertensives should be on aspirin to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
There are some minor strokes where the symptoms improve on their own but there is a risk of a repeat stroke if the risk factors are not controlled (blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol)
If anything else unclear, can let me know
yes, aspirin should be used
Detailed Answer:
HI
He should start aspirin daily , most diabetics and hypertensives should be on aspirin to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
There are some minor strokes where the symptoms improve on their own but there is a risk of a repeat stroke if the risk factors are not controlled (blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol)
If anything else unclear, can let me know
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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