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What Causes Heavy Breathing While On BP Medication?
Question: I am a 47 yo male approx 235 lbs and 6'2" I take blood pressure medication, which puts me generally around 134/95 or there abouts most days. I track it occaisionally at home as per Dr. suggestion. Today is extremely hot in NYC and I have felt more heavy breathing. So I noticed my systolic today was high 140, an hour later 148, an hour later 155. am I bringing this on myself, by checking too often?
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
I am more concerned about your diastolic blood pressure actually. Ninety-five is quite high as an ongoing diastolic pressure so I would not call that under control. If your pressure is going up now from the heat and possibly from anxiety from checking, I am concerned for what your diastolic pressure might be. Can you please check it and let me know where it's at?
If the heavy breathing is new for you, or if you are also having chest pressure symptoms, I recommend going in to the ER. Otherwise, rest as much as possible today and do what you can to stay cool.
It's possible the blood pressure has gone up a bit from anxiety from checking it, but more likely from the stress on your body from heat.
Rest and recheck in about an hour and let's revisit this (provide both systolic and diastolic).
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
I am more concerned about your diastolic blood pressure actually. Ninety-five is quite high as an ongoing diastolic pressure so I would not call that under control. If your pressure is going up now from the heat and possibly from anxiety from checking, I am concerned for what your diastolic pressure might be. Can you please check it and let me know where it's at?
If the heavy breathing is new for you, or if you are also having chest pressure symptoms, I recommend going in to the ER. Otherwise, rest as much as possible today and do what you can to stay cool.
It's possible the blood pressure has gone up a bit from anxiety from checking it, but more likely from the stress on your body from heat.
Rest and recheck in about an hour and let's revisit this (provide both systolic and diastolic).
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks, will do. The diastolic was in that same range, low to mid 90s when I checked. I feel less heavy breathing and will do as you say and check back. Thanks Dr.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Ok - will look for your information when you send it.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Ok - will look for your information when you send it.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So at 6:30 pm the last reading I got was 130/90 w/ pulse of 93. That's after rest, more water and little else. So possibly heat and anxiety combo? I forgot to mention also I take amlopodine 5mg p day. Thanks Dr.
Brief Answer:
That's better.
Detailed Answer:
That's better - at least it isn't continuing to climb.
Yes, stay hydrated and don't push yourself much when the weather is hot and humid.
I would recommend revisiting your blood pressure with your doctor, as in someone as young as you are, it is really best to get your blood pressure under better control as it isn't good to have it high for many years.
If you drink alcohol, decrease the amount. That alone can often decrease blood pressure enough to get it into a healthier range. And if possible, decreasing weight a bit. But often I find that in people who drink, just decreasing that helps the blood pressure a lot.
I hope this helps and that you get cooler weather soon. Here in Wisconsin, it is raining non-stop, so I imagine that will be coming your way soon!
That's better.
Detailed Answer:
That's better - at least it isn't continuing to climb.
Yes, stay hydrated and don't push yourself much when the weather is hot and humid.
I would recommend revisiting your blood pressure with your doctor, as in someone as young as you are, it is really best to get your blood pressure under better control as it isn't good to have it high for many years.
If you drink alcohol, decrease the amount. That alone can often decrease blood pressure enough to get it into a healthier range. And if possible, decreasing weight a bit. But often I find that in people who drink, just decreasing that helps the blood pressure a lot.
I hope this helps and that you get cooler weather soon. Here in Wisconsin, it is raining non-stop, so I imagine that will be coming your way soon!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks very much dr. I lived in Whitefish bay XXXXXXX as a kid for a year in the 70's. Never seen so much snow. I will do as directed. Have been trying to lose weight to as my own dr has mentioned and will revisit the blood pressure issue with him when he returns from summer vacation. I get you on both fronts diet and alchohol. I should say that, not an excuse, but I have been through two years of recovery/pt from a complicated sports surgery followed by a corrective surgery. So, w/ out a whole lot of exercise in that time, it's been easy to slip at this middle age. Have a good wkmd and thanks again. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Your welcome!
Detailed Answer:
Slipping in having a healthy lifestyle happens often when people are dealing with long standing injuries or health problems. I'm glad to hear you are trying to get that back in order - a little bit of healthy lifestyle changes can go a long way in helping overall health.
Best regards,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Your welcome!
Detailed Answer:
Slipping in having a healthy lifestyle happens often when people are dealing with long standing injuries or health problems. I'm glad to hear you are trying to get that back in order - a little bit of healthy lifestyle changes can go a long way in helping overall health.
Best regards,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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