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My Dads BP Is Dropping When He Stands Up And
Question: My dads BP is dropping when he stands up and is passing out. Should I stop his bp meds?i I have paid twice and yet to speak with doctor
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome back to Ask a Doctor service!
I would like to know if your father is taking any anti-hypertensive drugs.
His symptoms are suggestive of orthostatic hypotension, which is mainly caused by anti-hypertensive therapy or dehydration.
Does he suffer from diabetes? What is his past medical history?
Some other conditions that may trigger this clinical situation would be : bleeding or anemia, lack of electrolytes (poor diet), etc..
If he is taking any anti-hypertensive drugs, I would recommend stopping them.
If this does not improve his situation, I would recommend wearing compression socks (you can find them in the drug store) and increase salt and water intake in his daily diet.
Some blood lab tests will be needed (complete blood count for anemia, blood electrolytes, kidney and liver function tests, fasting glucose and HbA1C for diabetes).
If all the above measures do not improve his situation, I would recommend performing a Head Up Tilt test in order to investigate for orthostatic hypotension. Starting therapy with fludrocortisone may be needed, if all the above measured do not improve his situation.
You should discuss with his doctor on the above issues.
I hope you will find this information helpful!
If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask me again!
Wishing a pleasant weekend,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome back to Ask a Doctor service!
I would like to know if your father is taking any anti-hypertensive drugs.
His symptoms are suggestive of orthostatic hypotension, which is mainly caused by anti-hypertensive therapy or dehydration.
Does he suffer from diabetes? What is his past medical history?
Some other conditions that may trigger this clinical situation would be : bleeding or anemia, lack of electrolytes (poor diet), etc..
If he is taking any anti-hypertensive drugs, I would recommend stopping them.
If this does not improve his situation, I would recommend wearing compression socks (you can find them in the drug store) and increase salt and water intake in his daily diet.
Some blood lab tests will be needed (complete blood count for anemia, blood electrolytes, kidney and liver function tests, fasting glucose and HbA1C for diabetes).
If all the above measures do not improve his situation, I would recommend performing a Head Up Tilt test in order to investigate for orthostatic hypotension. Starting therapy with fludrocortisone may be needed, if all the above measured do not improve his situation.
You should discuss with his doctor on the above issues.
I hope you will find this information helpful!
If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask me again!
Wishing a pleasant weekend,
Dr. Iliri
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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