Is Doing A Polygraph Test A Safe When Suffering From High BP?

Posted on Wed, 28 May 2014

Question: My husband suffered an aortic dissection in 2008. The tear extends from his heart valve down into his legs bilaterally, stopping just shy of the femoral arteries. He takes numerous meds to control his heart rate and blood pressure . He has been asked to undergo a polygraph test, but I have been advised by several polygraph administrators that this may be an unsafe procedure for him. In addition, he is on benzo's for depression and Dilantin for epilepsy. Does it make sense for him to even try to undergo this procedure?
?

Answered by Dr. Priyanka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No harm in doing polygraph..

Detailed Answer:
Hello Mam,

Greetings,

After going through your husbands history, I can understand the concern you have regarding the disease condition of your husband, my full sympathy is with you.

Your husband is having aortic aneurysm in full dissected aorta involving (arch of aorta,thoracic,abdominal,pelvic,and iliac branch also).

In my opinion you should go for polygraph (aortic angiogram study). As because after the diagnosis in 2008 he is on medication and to find out whether the disease is improving or further deteriorating this test is must. Just for your information if aneurysm is more than 5 cm and the rate of increasing in aneurysm is more than 0.5 cm per year than aortic grafting is must procedure to prevent rupture of aneurysm.

So my sincere advice is to go ahead with polygraph.There is only one problem with polygraph exists that it causes anaphylaxis reaction (a type of reaction due to XXXXXXX angiograffin i.e sodium diatrizoate) but not in every patients,and it can be controlled because polygraph administrators doing it are always ready with medication to prevent it, the frequency of reaction is very very less.

Hope I cleared your doubt, if further any clarification required you are most welcome, do not hesitate to write me back.

Wishing you good health and good luck,

Regards,

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Priyanka (19 minutes later)

I was insufficient in my description of the "polygraph." The proposed procedure is a stress-inducing "lie-detector" that is being forced upon my husband, not a diagnostic procedure that he could easily take in the relatively stress-free environment of the hospital. This "lie detector" is held as a threat over my husband and he must take Xanax to calm himself before the exam and restore his BP to the recommended 100's/60's to manage his MAP and ejection pressure. Please comment regarding this so-called "lie-detection" procedure on my husband with regards to his condition and medications. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Priyanka (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Lie detection test may produce adverse effect..

Detailed Answer:
Hello Mam,

Welcome again,

As you have made the question clear now I am in the opinion that lie detection test produces stress on the body and mind of individual including internal organ, so chance is there that it may further worsen the condition of your husband in the form of raising the blood pressure leading to further dissection of aorta or may be rupture of aneurysm, possibility is less but might happen.

In lie detection test questions are asked to individual and assessment is done of his Heart rate, breathing,circulation,brain activity,..etc.

Hence I request to skip this test if possible, or if not mandatory then you do consult with your treating doctor (Neurologist) about the adverse effect of it before taking any step.

Hope I cleared your doubt, if further any you are most welcome to ask again.

Regards,

Thanks.

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D