Dr. Afroze Ahmad
The Monday following the Thanksgiving weekend, I had a message waiting for me from Jim O’Maley, which surprised me, since Jim has not kept any of his appointments at my clinic for the past four months.
Jim wants to come and see me on an urgent basis. He also wants me to know that on the Friday after Thanksgiving he went to the emergency room. While there, he was found to have a very high blood pressure of 220/110, and was admitted for a few days. He had been discharged home the night previous to my receiving the phone message.
What Happened Here?
Jim O’Maley has been taking blood pressure medications longer than he cares to remember. Long before he had established as a patient at my cardiology clinic, he already was on three blood pressure medications. “I am perplexed,” said Jim. “All through my adult life, I have been compliant with my blood pressure medications. I never missed a single day of taking my blood pressure pills,” he emphasized. “Yet during a very special time, when my kids and siblings were visiting us for the holidays, I end up in the hospital, all because of high blood pressure.”
What Do These Blood Pressure Readings Imply
Blood pressure readings not only increase with age, but also vary throughout the day. Isolated increase in the blood pressure may not amount to much, but a persistent rise in the blood pressure from the usual baseline should be taken seriously. Blood pressure of less than 120/less than 80 is considered normal. On the other hand, blood pressure of 140/90 or more should be considered for treatment. In between values of 120 to 139/80-89 should prompt serious and dedicated lifestyle changes, including weight loss, salt prudence, alcohol restriction and cognizance of certain medications, including over-the-counter cough syrup, nasal decongestants and ibuprofen, as well as Advil, Aleve and steroids.
What Is This Feeling?
I asked him what made him go to the emergency room in the first place. Jim looked at me and said, ”Doctor, this is the funny part. I really did not have any specific complaints. There was no shortness of breath or chest pain,” he continued. “I simply felt woozy, funny and tired.”
What Are The Signs and Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure?
The most concerning aspect of high blood pressure is the lack of symptoms or symptoms that are non-descript. This absence of symptoms labels high blood pressure as a silent killer. Lack of symptoms does not prompt the patient to seek medical attention. In the meanwhile, the elevated blood pressure creates havoc in the body.
Life Was Hectic, And The Back Was Hurting
Later in the evening, while visiting with him in the clinic, Jim updated me. “Doctor, I strained my back while helping my son lift some heavy furniture, and the back doctor prescribed steroids and ibuprofen for the back pain,” he said. “Within a couple of days, I noticed an increase in my blood pressure.” Jim admits the restriction in physical activity with the back pain was a real setback. Anticipation of hosting Thanksgiving with a bad back prompted him to imbibe alcohol with both lunch and dinner.
Moral of the Story
Despite a controlled blood pressure and compliance with medications, many factors, including cough syrup, nasal decongestants, pain medications, salt imprudence and alcohol, may lead to higher blood pressure. What the patient needs to do is to keep up with regular doctor appointments, keep a log of his blood pressure twice a week, and promptly report to their doctor the incorporation of any of the above noted factors in their medical regimen or lifestyle.
Dr. Afroze Ahmad is a cardiologist who cares and listens. She is a multiple board certified cardiologist. Las Sendas Cardiology is located at 3514 N. Power Road, Suite 107. For information, or to make an appointment, please call (480) 361-9949.