Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Persistent Vomiting And Diarrhea Followed By Death In A Heart Patient?
Question: My Dad died a few days ago wearing a fitbit. Can I get your professional opinion on his final moments if I send you his info???
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern and would be happy to review his reports.
Taking into consideration his clinical condition, the repeated vomiting and diarrhea, I would conclude that he may have suffered from dehydration and electrolytes imbalance (which are known complications of vomiting and diarrhea).
You should know that electrolytes like potassium are very important for the heart activity. A potassium imbalance could lead to severe cardiac arrhythmia. That is why patients with repeated episodes of diarrhea or vomiting need to take intravenous fluids and electrolytes to avoid possible hydro-electrolytic imbalances, which can result to be life-threatening.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern and would be happy to review his reports.
Taking into consideration his clinical condition, the repeated vomiting and diarrhea, I would conclude that he may have suffered from dehydration and electrolytes imbalance (which are known complications of vomiting and diarrhea).
You should know that electrolytes like potassium are very important for the heart activity. A potassium imbalance could lead to severe cardiac arrhythmia. That is why patients with repeated episodes of diarrhea or vomiting need to take intravenous fluids and electrolytes to avoid possible hydro-electrolytic imbalances, which can result to be life-threatening.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks. Did you see his fitbit reports I sent? He was walking around alot with a high heart rate for about 5 hours prior to his death (120-150 bpm)
My dad was found in a chair sitting upright. My brother thinks he was waiting to die but he was found unclothed from the waist down and soiled himself. I think his heart just gave out on him at 11:30 monday morning...he had enough time to get help through the night but was a very private person...I think death just caught him out.
He was vomiting and had diarrhea that night as well... My dad overestimated his ability to fight this on his own I think...he was into fitness and was wearing a fitnit at the time of death... i think he stooped taking blood pressure meds because as he said he thought it would interfere with his chemo...he only got half a dose of chemo I was told as well...
He was 77 years old as well...
My dad was found in a chair sitting upright. My brother thinks he was waiting to die but he was found unclothed from the waist down and soiled himself. I think his heart just gave out on him at 11:30 monday morning...he had enough time to get help through the night but was a very private person...I think death just caught him out.
He was vomiting and had diarrhea that night as well... My dad overestimated his ability to fight this on his own I think...he was into fitness and was wearing a fitnit at the time of death... i think he stooped taking blood pressure meds because as he said he thought it would interfere with his chemo...he only got half a dose of chemo I was told as well...
He was 77 years old as well...
Brief Answer:
Opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
I would like to send my condolence for the loss of your beloved person.
Being on chemotherapy and high blood pressure meds complicates a bit the medical status.
The most probable complication remains a cardiac arrhythmia which should have been triggered by a potassium imbalance (because of diarrhea and chemo).
From the other side a potential thromboembolic event may be possible in such situation (from the primary disease and underlying chemotherapy).
I am waiting for his fitbit reports, but there is no attached report on the system.
Probably something has gone wrong.
Could you try again to upload the report?
Meanwhile I remain at your disposal for any further explanations.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
I would like to send my condolence for the loss of your beloved person.
Being on chemotherapy and high blood pressure meds complicates a bit the medical status.
The most probable complication remains a cardiac arrhythmia which should have been triggered by a potassium imbalance (because of diarrhea and chemo).
From the other side a potential thromboembolic event may be possible in such situation (from the primary disease and underlying chemotherapy).
I am waiting for his fitbit reports, but there is no attached report on the system.
Probably something has gone wrong.
Could you try again to upload the report?
Meanwhile I remain at your disposal for any further explanations.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
