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What Do High BP And Low Potassium Levels Indicate?
Question: Friend female 78 had surgery for full bowel obstruction. Otherwise healthy, she had high blood pressure and low potassium for the first time in her life. How closely should these levels be monitored....she is otherwise very active director of large preschool.
Brief Answer:
About blood pressure and potassium:
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Surgery is a large stress on the body, and the medications and fluids given for general anesthesia and post operatively can alter things that have normally been stable such as potassium and blood pressure.
If the cause of the low blood pressure is over (such as diuretics or large amount of IV input) and the potassium was normalizing near the end of her hospital discharge, then it only needs to be rechecked when she has her post-operative visit.
High blood pressure, unless it is so high that it needs urgent treatment, may resolve as she recovers from the surgery and pain. For diagnosing hypertension, we usually use 3 blood pressure readings taken at 3 different times.
So a recheck of both at her post op visit should suffice and plans can be made for follow up if either continues to be abnormal then.
That said, there are times when action should be taken immediately with either:
A systolic (upper number) reading over 180 or diastolic (lower number) over 110 is an emergency and she should be seen immediately.
If her potassium was 2.5 - 3.5 at the time of discharge, it should be rechecked soon after discharge. If it was below 2.5, then it should be treated urgently.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
About blood pressure and potassium:
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Surgery is a large stress on the body, and the medications and fluids given for general anesthesia and post operatively can alter things that have normally been stable such as potassium and blood pressure.
If the cause of the low blood pressure is over (such as diuretics or large amount of IV input) and the potassium was normalizing near the end of her hospital discharge, then it only needs to be rechecked when she has her post-operative visit.
High blood pressure, unless it is so high that it needs urgent treatment, may resolve as she recovers from the surgery and pain. For diagnosing hypertension, we usually use 3 blood pressure readings taken at 3 different times.
So a recheck of both at her post op visit should suffice and plans can be made for follow up if either continues to be abnormal then.
That said, there are times when action should be taken immediately with either:
A systolic (upper number) reading over 180 or diastolic (lower number) over 110 is an emergency and she should be seen immediately.
If her potassium was 2.5 - 3.5 at the time of discharge, it should be rechecked soon after discharge. If it was below 2.5, then it should be treated urgently.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Berger-Durnbaugh
Thank you for your quick response.
I actually wanted to ask if there are any precautions a person can take who has these bowel blockages.
I read that internal dehyration can take place very quickly and the electrolytes become very unbalanced.
Thank you for your quick response.
I actually wanted to ask if there are any precautions a person can take who has these bowel blockages.
I read that internal dehyration can take place very quickly and the electrolytes become very unbalanced.
Brief Answer:
A low fiber diet is recommended to prevent future bowel obstructions
Detailed Answer:
I think it would be wise for your friend to meet with a nutritionist for help with a diet that is low (or lower) in fiber to help prevent future obstructions. Some medications can increase a person's risk, too, so she should talk with her doctor about any meds she may be taking.
Here is a pdf (from Australia) that provides some information on a low fiber diet:
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/nutrition/resources/gastro_obstruct.pdf
A low fiber diet is recommended to prevent future bowel obstructions
Detailed Answer:
I think it would be wise for your friend to meet with a nutritionist for help with a diet that is low (or lower) in fiber to help prevent future obstructions. Some medications can increase a person's risk, too, so she should talk with her doctor about any meds she may be taking.
Here is a pdf (from Australia) that provides some information on a low fiber diet:
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/nutrition/resources/gastro_obstruct.pdf
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Just to thank you again for the second response. I know she has previously seen a nutritionist a couple in fact and a hospital dietician ......but she follows a heavy schedule and is not a person that pays a lot of attention to what she eats. I will print out this pdf --actually she got quite scared this time -- it was so sudden, so severe....that she has very little energy and I think is terrified to go anywhere ==this can be depressing for a very outgoing person I believe.
Very good service.
Very good service.
Brief Answer:
Your welcome!
Detailed Answer:
You may also want to ask a gastroenterologist on this site your question about best ways to prevent future obstructions. To do this, you would close the discussion with me and when posting your question, write "For gastroenterologist only" and one will answer.
I expect she will regain her energy, but after surgery it will take time.
Your welcome!
Detailed Answer:
You may also want to ask a gastroenterologist on this site your question about best ways to prevent future obstructions. To do this, you would close the discussion with me and when posting your question, write "For gastroenterologist only" and one will answer.
I expect she will regain her energy, but after surgery it will take time.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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