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What Causes Elevated BP Levels, Anxiety And Stomach Upset In An AF Patient?
Question: Hello,
My dad is an AF and Gerd patient. He suffered a heart failure a few years ago and has been put on warfarin/blood pressure medications. He walks about 4 miles a day and is very active without any tiredness etc. In the past month or so, his BP is shooting up to 150(first number) in the evening times. This is when he starts feeling discomfort in the stomach. When he eats a meal at this time and gets a few burps, he feels all relieved and the BP goes back to normal. He also has an anxiety issue and when he starts feeling discomfort in his stomach, he starts getting very tensed. Could this be the reason for the BP shoot up? Any other reasons for stomach discomfort? He usually eats his lunch at 12pm and doesn't eat anything till around 6pm and this is when he gets the discomfort in the stomach. He went to his cardiologist/primary care and showed the exact place of the discomfort and they confirmed that this has nothing to do with heart. We have seen that on weekends when he is preoccupied with his favorite activities, he doesn't even notice this. So I am confused.
My dad is an AF and Gerd patient. He suffered a heart failure a few years ago and has been put on warfarin/blood pressure medications. He walks about 4 miles a day and is very active without any tiredness etc. In the past month or so, his BP is shooting up to 150(first number) in the evening times. This is when he starts feeling discomfort in the stomach. When he eats a meal at this time and gets a few burps, he feels all relieved and the BP goes back to normal. He also has an anxiety issue and when he starts feeling discomfort in his stomach, he starts getting very tensed. Could this be the reason for the BP shoot up? Any other reasons for stomach discomfort? He usually eats his lunch at 12pm and doesn't eat anything till around 6pm and this is when he gets the discomfort in the stomach. He went to his cardiologist/primary care and showed the exact place of the discomfort and they confirmed that this has nothing to do with heart. We have seen that on weekends when he is preoccupied with his favorite activities, he doesn't even notice this. So I am confused.
Brief Answer:
Acid reducing agents with non pharmacological measures.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome.
I have gone through your query.
Anxiety can cause alterations in blood pressure, I think with your dad anxiety triggered by stomach upset might be responsible.
As you have mentioned, that the cardiologist have ruled out the cardiac cause, it is good.
I feel, his symptoms might be related to GERD.
Only medication will not be sufficient to address the symptoms of GERD, few non pharmological measures need to be followed.
Presently I would suggest you to avoid spicy food, alcohol, and smoking, I think that you are already following this.
Eat bland diet, eat diet rich in fibres diet, avoid meat for few days, do not lie down immediately after food, walk for 15 minutes post food. Avoid eating heavy meals instead go for small frequent meals. Avoid a lifestyle in which you sit in one place for long. Make sure you move around and have at least a 30-minute walk as part of your daily exercise
I would suggest him to take capsule omeprazole 20 mg, once daily before breakfast for week. You can take over the counter antacid three times a day. You can take probiotic like sporolac or ecobion, and curd which will be beneficial. Kindly follow the measures for 15 days, your symptom should subside. Along with his usual exercise regimen.
I would have suggested you to follow this for a week, and observe for any improvement.
This provisional advice provided by me is based entirely on the input provided to me. I would suggest examination by the doctor.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Acid reducing agents with non pharmacological measures.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome.
I have gone through your query.
Anxiety can cause alterations in blood pressure, I think with your dad anxiety triggered by stomach upset might be responsible.
As you have mentioned, that the cardiologist have ruled out the cardiac cause, it is good.
I feel, his symptoms might be related to GERD.
Only medication will not be sufficient to address the symptoms of GERD, few non pharmological measures need to be followed.
Presently I would suggest you to avoid spicy food, alcohol, and smoking, I think that you are already following this.
Eat bland diet, eat diet rich in fibres diet, avoid meat for few days, do not lie down immediately after food, walk for 15 minutes post food. Avoid eating heavy meals instead go for small frequent meals. Avoid a lifestyle in which you sit in one place for long. Make sure you move around and have at least a 30-minute walk as part of your daily exercise
I would suggest him to take capsule omeprazole 20 mg, once daily before breakfast for week. You can take over the counter antacid three times a day. You can take probiotic like sporolac or ecobion, and curd which will be beneficial. Kindly follow the measures for 15 days, your symptom should subside. Along with his usual exercise regimen.
I would have suggested you to follow this for a week, and observe for any improvement.
This provisional advice provided by me is based entirely on the input provided to me. I would suggest examination by the doctor.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Would it help to take Ashwaganda?
Also would any foods be more beneficial if eaten when going through this discomfort?
Also would any foods be more beneficial if eaten when going through this discomfort?
Brief Answer:
Kindly find the answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome.
Sorry for late reply.
I am not aware of the effectiveness of ashwaganda, as I do not prescribe it in my clinic.
Regarding food, I would recommend, to include lots vegetables in the diet, most of them are rich in fibres. Slightly decrease the intake of meat, avoid coffee and tea, carbonated beverages. Follow this for 15 to 20 days.I feel with this measures he should be fine.
This provisional advice provided by me is based entirely on the input provided to me. I would suggest examination by the doctor.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Kindly find the answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome.
Sorry for late reply.
I am not aware of the effectiveness of ashwaganda, as I do not prescribe it in my clinic.
Regarding food, I would recommend, to include lots vegetables in the diet, most of them are rich in fibres. Slightly decrease the intake of meat, avoid coffee and tea, carbonated beverages. Follow this for 15 to 20 days.I feel with this measures he should be fine.
This provisional advice provided by me is based entirely on the input provided to me. I would suggest examination by the doctor.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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