Question 1

I'm really concerned about my dad's health right now. A couple of years ago, he had bypass surgery and brain stenting, and he's been doing okay since then. But I've noticed that his pulse rate sometimes jumps to somewhere between 55 and 58 while he's resting and it goes even higher, to about 70 or 80, when hes walking. When hes sitting, it mostly remains at 55 to 58, whereas it used to be above 65. His blood pressure is 11570, and hes on a few medications like metosartan 50, clopivas 150, atorva 40, and glycomet 500. Should I be worried about these changes? He's not showing any symptoms or anything, but with the ongoing corona situation, we're hesitant to rush to the doctor for an ECG. Could this be normal, or is it something we need to look into?

Accepted Answer

His pulse rate dropping to 55-58 while resting and 70-80 after walking, with most of the time sitting at 55-58, is slightly lower than usual. Given his medical history of bypass surgery and brain stenting, along with the medications he is currently taking (metosartan 50, clopivas 150, atorva 40, and glycomet 500), it is important to monitor his heart rate closely. Considering he is feeling fine with no other symptoms, it may not be an immediate cause for concern. However, it would be advisable to consult with his healthcare provider for further evaluation. In the meantime, you can consider discussing with his doctor about adjusting the dosage of metosartan 50 to help regulate his pulse rate within a normal range.

Question 2

I've been keeping track of my blood pressure, and it usually falls between 130140 and 8090 over the last month. I'm not keen on starting any medication right now and wonder if I can get it back to normal with a healthy diet. I don't smoke or drink, and I sleep well. I weigh 86 kg and am working on getting it down below 75 kg. I'm thinking being overweight might be the only reason for my high BP since my sugar levels and kidney function are normal. I get mild headaches approximately once every two weeks. Do you think focusing on weight loss and diet could help stabilize my blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining a healthy diet can definitely help in managing your blood pressure. In addition to a healthy diet, it is important to maintain a healthy weight and engage in regular physical activity. Since you are already working on reducing your weight, that is a positive step towards improving your blood pressure. While being overweight can contribute to high blood pressure, it is not the only factor. Other factors such as diet, physical activity level, stress, and genetics can also play a role in blood pressure levels. I get mild headache once in two weeks or so. Mild headaches can sometimes be associated with high blood pressure. However, it is important to monitor your headaches and consult with a healthcare professional if they become more frequent or severe. As you are not currently on any medication and prefer to manage your blood pressure through lifestyle changes, I recommend focusing on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Additionally, reducing your sodium intake can also help in managing blood pressure. Regular physical activity and stress management techniques can further support your efforts in maintaining a healthy blood pressure level.

Question 3

I recently went through a treadmill test (TMT) around mid-April, and just a few days after, I found out I had COVID. I got better by the end of April, but ever since, I've noticed that my heart races, especially when I'm doing things like climbing stairs. I went to a cardiologist, and both my ECG and echo tests looked fine, and he mentioned it might be anxiety. But, while my heartbeat is mostly normal now when I'm resting, I do notice a slight chest pain when I walk for more than 20-25 minutes. I'm curious, should I consider doing another TMT? And I'm really wondering, could having COVID possibly lead to plaque build-up in my arteries, even if the first TMT showed everything was fine? Any advice would be great.

Accepted Answer

It is unlikely that COVID infection would cause plaque in the arteries directly. However, COVID-19 can lead to inflammation in the body which may indirectly affect the heart and blood vessels. Since your previous TMT was fine, it may not be necessary to repeat it unless your symptoms worsen or persist. The chest pain you are experiencing while walking could be due to various reasons, including muscular pain or anxiety-related issues. To alleviate your symptoms, you can try medications like Ranitidine for acid reflux and Paracetamol for chest pain. If the symptoms persist, it is advisable to consult with your doctor for further evaluation and management.

Feeling chest tightness and having some issues with light breathing since yesterday. It doesn't happen all the time, just a few times throughout the day. Should I be concerned about this?

Probable diagnosis is GERD .Patient is advised tab pan d orally once daily,syrup sucralfate 10 ml thrice daily for 14 days. AAlso ecg and chest x-ray pa view is advised to the patient.

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