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Autonomic Dysfunction/Erratic BP Numbers
My sister has erratic BP numbers. After she takes her PD medicines her BP drops to 66/41 or thereabouts. We went to the ER and after undergoing ECG , blood work which results came back normal she was discharged. Before discharge ER took blood pressure again and it read 191/78, pulse 68. Nurse said not to worry, go home and rest and take your BP meds. Since then her BP numbers has been erratic. Going low in the 92/49 or thereabouts after taking PD medications and then in 2 hours it shoots high again in the 176/80 or thereabout. PCP told her to log her BP numbers one hour before taking PD meds and one hour after taking it. She takes PD medications at 7:00 am , 12 noon, 5:00pm and at 10:00 pm : Her PD meds are Carbidopa 25 mg (2 tablets and 1/2) taken 3 times daily, one tablet each of Carbidopa 50 mg, 200 mg Levodopa and one half tablet of .05 Rasagiline at bedtime. Her BP meds are Atenolol 25 mg taken at 9:30 am and Losartan 25 mg taken at 2:00 pm and Simvastatin 10 mg taken after dinner.
Has anyone experienced this erratic BP. numbers. Would appreciate your input.
Her PCP scheduled her for ambulatory 24 hour BP monitor but Kaiser has only one monitor so she has to wait until the 3.16.22 when unit is available.
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My brother experienced similar episodes and was sent to the ER multiple times dues to unresponsiveness. Extensive testing was done each time and everything was within normal limits. His neurologist has slowly decreased his carbidopa-levadopa doses and his cardiologist started him in Northera and with each ER visit has increased his dose. His episodes occur infrequently now but Northera dose is maxed out and the insurance company requires an exception for dose exceeding quantity limits. It’s a constant struggle between physicians, staff at the assisted living memory care and the insurance company.
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1 ReactionThanks much. This is very helpful. Found a study published by NIH but don't know if this is relevant:
[Clonazepam in the treatment of labile arterial hypertension in the elderly]
[Article in Russian]
K V Dmitriev, V I Fedorova, A V Nedostup
PMID: 11417185
There is English translation.
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2 ReactionsI have always had normal BP/110/70, 120/72 until about 2 years ago. Now I get high BP 145/85, 165/95, on and off during the day. Take BP meds and it goes down for part of the day and then jumps back up again. Sometimes it drops like 85/45, 90/75 and then jumps up not normal or high. I put up with this every day and my cardiologist has no idea what is going on. I take 5mg of levodopa as needed which can be several times a day.
Hi, @marty51, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Seeing your blood pressure go down with medication and then jump back up again would be disconcerting.
You mentioned taking levodopa. Wondering if you have asked your neurologist about this blood pressure experience? If so, what did he or she say?
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2 ReactionsIt sounds like autonomic dysfunction.
Do you have a diagnosis of a movement disorder
requiring L dopa? Be careful to prevent falls.
Have you seen a neurologist? You have probably
met the criteria to make a diagnosis of orthostatic hypertension.
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1 ReactionOrthostatic Hypotension sorry typo!
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2 ReactionsNo I haven't asked my neurologist. Trying to get my cardiologist to find out something and never thought to ask my neurologist. Thank you so much for asking this. I will now make an appointment with my neurologist.
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1 ReactionI will be taking this up with my neurologist. Thank you.
That is normal for most people who have Parkinsons. It is the Autonomic Dysfunction. Sometimes Orthostatic Hypotension. Which one depends on medication. Sometimes vertigo is present. My spouse cannot put certain clothes on, he cannot reach to wash his legs,etc. It seems to get worse with time. Be careful as usually falls follow suit. My heart breaks everytime he gets a new diagnosis. He is a trooper..but each new diagnosis makes him tired and sometimes cranky. 🫂
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