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What Causes Severe Heart Palpitations In An Elderly Person?
Question: 92 year old mother who recently had a TIA is feeling odd: a little bit or rapid heart beat, can't get a bp : the machine reads EExxx, has a slight headache. Responds well to questions, has good hand strength, smile is ok, can raise arms above head, tongue works ok. She's taken some baby aspirin and an extra 5 mg lisinopril. Is she a candidate for the emergency room?
Brief Answer:
Try to measure with a manual sphygmomanometer
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. Thank you for your question. I carefully read your query.
From the description you provided, my opinion is that the neurological status of your mother is alright, at the moment. The electronic sphygmomanometers give that "error" sign when the blood pressure is too low and does not produce a peripheral (brachial artery) pulse, so the blood pressure could be measured. Try first to measure it with a manual (conventional) sphygmomanometer. If you do not hear the pulse, then I would suggest you to go to the emergency room as soon as possible, since this means the blood pressure is too low, and measures have to be undertaken to raise it to satisfying levels, so it can meet the peripheral organ needs.
I hope I was helpful. If you have follow-up questions, I am happy to help.
Regards,
Dr. Meriton
Try to measure with a manual sphygmomanometer
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. Thank you for your question. I carefully read your query.
From the description you provided, my opinion is that the neurological status of your mother is alright, at the moment. The electronic sphygmomanometers give that "error" sign when the blood pressure is too low and does not produce a peripheral (brachial artery) pulse, so the blood pressure could be measured. Try first to measure it with a manual (conventional) sphygmomanometer. If you do not hear the pulse, then I would suggest you to go to the emergency room as soon as possible, since this means the blood pressure is too low, and measures have to be undertaken to raise it to satisfying levels, so it can meet the peripheral organ needs.
I hope I was helpful. If you have follow-up questions, I am happy to help.
Regards,
Dr. Meriton
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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