What Casues Unstable Blood Pressure Level?

Posted on Sat, 17 May 2014

Question: Hi, I am a 60 year old caucasion woman, who has had a recent bout of uncontrolled high blood pressure. My doc put me on Coreg and Amylodopamine which I take regularly but still getting very high blood pressure readings for example today on a cuff monitor my reading was 191/109. I am seeing a cardiologist next week but I have had a deep aching chest pain that radiates into my throat, sporadically/ It went away after about 5-7 minutes. My blood pressure reading was low for me at 161/94, so I don't know what this symptom means. Pain level was about a 7 and I had to sit down ( was just walking in a store when this happened.
A recent stress test ( chemical one) showed nothing. Can I still be having a heart attack?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Typical unstable angina,possible myocardial infarction

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,

I have gone through your medical history and to my opinion, your symptoms for a typical angina (unstable angina, myocardial infarction).

The most important thing is to stabilize your blood pressure (bp). You might need other medications to be added. Furthermore, I also suggest to run further tests to evaluate your health situation:
- ECG
- Cardiac ECHO
- Stress test
- Cardiac angio CT
- Angiography

Meanwhile, I advise to:
- avoid physical activity
- if the pain will last for more than 15 minutes or will be more intense, I highly advise to go to ER immediately as this is a sign indicating possible heart attack.

Hope it was of help! Do write me back if you have further queries!
Dr.Benard

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar