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What Causes Sudden High BP, Elevated Heart Rate, Blurred Vision And Fatigue?
Question: My 29 year old neice has been suffering for many years with sudden high blood pressure, elevated heart rate 130, blurred vision, paralysis, fatique and bodily pain. She has fainted at work often over the past 6 years. She just spent the day in the hospital yesterday due to HBP and heart rate. Much of this has been more dramatic, since she had her child prematurely due to high blood pressure. The child suffers from CP. We have been to Duke to a Rheumatologist . No help. she has not been to a neurologist. thank you, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
I would recommend performing additional tests:
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that it is important performing a comprehensive differential diagnosis of different causes that may lead to this clinical scenario (spikes in blood pressure):
- Pheochromocytoma ( a tumor of the adrenal gland)
- cortical adrenal gland dysfunction ( high aldosteron or cortisol levels)
- thyroid gland dysfunction.
So, I would recommend performing additional tests to investigate for the possible causes:
- cortisol plasma levels
- aldosterone plasma levels
- thyroid hormone levels
- blood electrolytes
- urinary metanephrine levels.
An abdominal MRI would help exclude a hyperplasy or a tumor of the adrenal gland. I-123 MIBG (metaiodobenzylguanidine) is another sensitive test to detect for these lesions.
You should discuss with her doctor on the above issues.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend performing additional tests:
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that it is important performing a comprehensive differential diagnosis of different causes that may lead to this clinical scenario (spikes in blood pressure):
- Pheochromocytoma ( a tumor of the adrenal gland)
- cortical adrenal gland dysfunction ( high aldosteron or cortisol levels)
- thyroid gland dysfunction.
So, I would recommend performing additional tests to investigate for the possible causes:
- cortisol plasma levels
- aldosterone plasma levels
- thyroid hormone levels
- blood electrolytes
- urinary metanephrine levels.
An abdominal MRI would help exclude a hyperplasy or a tumor of the adrenal gland. I-123 MIBG (metaiodobenzylguanidine) is another sensitive test to detect for these lesions.
You should discuss with her doctor on the above issues.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Sorry for my delay in response. Thank you. So, you don't believe this could be MS related? So the spike in blood pressure was the most significant problem?
Brief Answer:
My opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I really do not think that her symptoms are related to MS. This neurological disorder does not cause fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate.
But, I recommend performing the above mentioned tests to investigate for an endocrine disorder (hormonal imbalance), like the above mentioned.
Nevertheless, you should know that MS can coexist with some endocrine disorders, because of the autoimmune origin.
A neurologist consult will also help exclude this possibility.
Hope to have been helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
My opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I really do not think that her symptoms are related to MS. This neurological disorder does not cause fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate.
But, I recommend performing the above mentioned tests to investigate for an endocrine disorder (hormonal imbalance), like the above mentioned.
Nevertheless, you should know that MS can coexist with some endocrine disorders, because of the autoimmune origin.
A neurologist consult will also help exclude this possibility.
Hope to have been helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
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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