Does anyone have recurring high blood pressure with high heart rate?

Posted by jwillits8 @jwillits8, Jun 11, 2023

My doctor keeps increasing my blood pressure meds for high blood pressure and high heart rate. When my blood pressure spikes, I feel dizzy and off balance like I could have a stroke.
Any recommendations as tests I should have? I have these episodes when I’m feeling really great.

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Hi are you drinking enough water?

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Thank you. Yes, I make sure to drink enough water.

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@jwillits8

Thank you. Yes, I make sure to drink enough water.

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Well, I don't have a crystal ball. You don't mention your age or general, overall physical condition, so I'll just make a general statement.
If you are at risk for stroke or heart attack:
- you have a personal or family history of heart disease or stroke
- you have diabetes or pre-diabetes
- you are or were a smoker or vaper (of tobacco or anything else)
- you are overweight
- you are largely sedentary (don't get 30 minutes or more of vigorous activity at least 3X/week)
- you drink more than 14 alcoholic beverages (including beer) per week
- kidney or lung disease, fatty liver, or have had radiation therapy

It may be time to ask for a complete heart-health checkup and risk assessment. This often includes EKG, basic metabolic panel, blood work including blood sugar/A1C, cholesterol and Calcium scores, a stress test. If concerns are found, more tests might be added.

Has your provided suggested anything like this?
Sue

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Hi @jwillits8, If your doctor keeps increasing your blood pressure medication but you are still having high blood pressure and high heart rate, I would be asking to see if I could get a referral to a cardiologist or other specialist. I was treated for quite a few years for high blood pressure with medication that didn't seem to work well until I participated in a Mayo Clinic heart study and was diagnosed with primary aldosteronism and my medications were changed. Here's an article that talks about it that you might want to discuss with your doctor.

--- Study: Treatable Cause of High Blood Pressure Often Ignored - People whose blood pressure is hard to control might have another condition that’s the real culprit. So why aren’t they being tested for primary aldosteronism?: https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/study-treatable-cause-high-blood-pressure-often-ignored.

Have you thought about seeking help or a second opinion at a teaching hospital or major health facility like Mayo Clinic?

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@sueinmn

Well, I don't have a crystal ball. You don't mention your age or general, overall physical condition, so I'll just make a general statement.
If you are at risk for stroke or heart attack:
- you have a personal or family history of heart disease or stroke
- you have diabetes or pre-diabetes
- you are or were a smoker or vaper (of tobacco or anything else)
- you are overweight
- you are largely sedentary (don't get 30 minutes or more of vigorous activity at least 3X/week)
- you drink more than 14 alcoholic beverages (including beer) per week
- kidney or lung disease, fatty liver, or have had radiation therapy

It may be time to ask for a complete heart-health checkup and risk assessment. This often includes EKG, basic metabolic panel, blood work including blood sugar/A1C, cholesterol and Calcium scores, a stress test. If concerns are found, more tests might be added.

Has your provided suggested anything like this?
Sue

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@sueinmm
Age 69 no smoker no diabetes in good shape and normal weight;
2 brothers within 3 yrs apart had open heart surgery within past 3 years; mother had heart disease- runs in her family
My Dr will just up BP meds; or EKG; cholesterol panel is great; blood tests all good. I’ve had stress test before; all good
I think I need an angiogram but don’t know how to convince my Dr; unless I’m having a heart attack
Thank you for responding

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@johnbishop

Hi @jwillits8, If your doctor keeps increasing your blood pressure medication but you are still having high blood pressure and high heart rate, I would be asking to see if I could get a referral to a cardiologist or other specialist. I was treated for quite a few years for high blood pressure with medication that didn't seem to work well until I participated in a Mayo Clinic heart study and was diagnosed with primary aldosteronism and my medications were changed. Here's an article that talks about it that you might want to discuss with your doctor.

--- Study: Treatable Cause of High Blood Pressure Often Ignored - People whose blood pressure is hard to control might have another condition that’s the real culprit. So why aren’t they being tested for primary aldosteronism?: https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/study-treatable-cause-high-blood-pressure-often-ignored.

Have you thought about seeking help or a second opinion at a teaching hospital or major health facility like Mayo Clinic?

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@johnbishop
Thank you for replying
I have spoken to my Dr more than once about possible kidney issue
I had a scan that showed a cyst on kidney but dr wasn’t concerned. I’ve mentioned adrenal glands also to no avail. I’m in a small town but not far from Madison Wi University clinics. I have had low potassium and sodium levels. I’m going to ask for a referral to Madison for aldostronism/cyst on kidney/adrenal glands and cardio.

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@jwillits8

@johnbishop
Thank you for replying
I have spoken to my Dr more than once about possible kidney issue
I had a scan that showed a cyst on kidney but dr wasn’t concerned. I’ve mentioned adrenal glands also to no avail. I’m in a small town but not far from Madison Wi University clinics. I have had low potassium and sodium levels. I’m going to ask for a referral to Madison for aldostronism/cyst on kidney/adrenal glands and cardio.

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Low sodium with high blood pressure and high heart rate is yet another heart attack risk. Please get a referral as soon as you can - or call and see if you can self-refer. You are at the perfect time for getting an appointment - the new specialty residents will be starting their rotations in July, and they are up-to-date in their education and VERY thorough.
Sue

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Yes, please get to a cardiologist. Do you experience flutter or a-fib? Combined with high pulse and BP at the same time with a-fib can a bad combination. I've got all three. I take 100mg metoprol daily, and it helps control it pretty well for me. My resting BP says around 54, and BP is about 120/65 most times. I still get flutter, but it's very subdued. I now take 10mg Jardiance for CHF, diastolic dysfunction, brought on by the constant HP and HBP, since was approved by the FDA in Feb for CHF. I know the doubts from the medical people, no clot equals no problem. I was reduced to 50mg metoprol daily to take on Jardiance in Nov; 2 days later, I'm in the ER, with racing pulse, high BP, and a-fib. The ER sent me home, despite showing them the wild slides in pulse from sitting to standing. My cardiologist immediately put me back on 100 mg.

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@johnnoregon

Yes, please get to a cardiologist. Do you experience flutter or a-fib? Combined with high pulse and BP at the same time with a-fib can a bad combination. I've got all three. I take 100mg metoprol daily, and it helps control it pretty well for me. My resting BP says around 54, and BP is about 120/65 most times. I still get flutter, but it's very subdued. I now take 10mg Jardiance for CHF, diastolic dysfunction, brought on by the constant HP and HBP, since was approved by the FDA in Feb for CHF. I know the doubts from the medical people, no clot equals no problem. I was reduced to 50mg metoprol daily to take on Jardiance in Nov; 2 days later, I'm in the ER, with racing pulse, high BP, and a-fib. The ER sent me home, despite showing them the wild slides in pulse from sitting to standing. My cardiologist immediately put me back on 100 mg.

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@johnnoregon
I asked my Dr for a referral to Madison WI university clinic cardio today. Waiting to hear
I’ve been told I have bradycardia and afib and been told I don’t have any heart issue. I’m looking for a new set of eyes. It’s always when I’m feeling really great my BP shoots up and fast heart rate. I take clonidine 2x day and losartan 100 mg. 2 brothers had open heart surgery- 1 had a new valve.
Seems dr would listen.
Thanks for responding.

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