Question 1

I've noticed my blood pressure has been fluctuating between 130 to 170 recently, but from yesterday, it's been around 140 to 156. What's really been worrying me is that my diastolic pressure stays pretty high, always between 90 and 110. I had an ECG done yesterday and it came back normal, and my TMT from last month was also fine. I do have a history of anxiety and I'm on medication for it, but my blood pressure usually stays normal even when I'm anxious. It's just been high for the past 4-5 days and I'm not sure what's causing it. What do you think I should do? Oh, and why is my diastolic pressure always high? I've had some mild chest pain sometimes too. Can you help me figure this out?

Accepted Answer

Your fluctuating blood pressure readings and consistently high diastolic pressure could be due to a combination of factors, including anxiety and other underlying health conditions. Since your ECG and TMT reports are normal, it's a good sign that there may not be any significant heart-related issues causing your symptoms. Given your history of anxiety and the recent increase in blood pressure, it's important to manage your stress levels and continue taking your anxiety medication as prescribed. Additionally, lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, a healthy diet low in sodium, and stress-reducing activities may help in controlling your blood pressure. To address your high diastolic pressure, your doctor may consider prescribing medications such as Amlodipine (5-10mg) or Lisinopril (10-40mg) to help lower your blood pressure and reduce the strain on your heart. It's essential to follow your doctor's recommendations closely and monitor your blood pressure regularly. If you experience chest pain or any concerning symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. It's crucial to stay in touch with your healthcare provider for further evaluation and personalized management of your blood pressure and anxiety.

Question 2

I'm feeling really confused and worried. Last year, my echocardiogram showed diastolic dysfunction, but when I did it again this year, it showed everything was fine with no sign of it. I'm trying to understand if diastolic dysfunction can reverse itself? I read online that it usually happens to older people, but I'm not that old and my blood pressure, sugar, and thyroid levels are all normal. Why did this happen to me, and should I be worried about it?

Accepted Answer

Your present echocardiogram is normal, previous report may reflect your clinical condition on that time. At present your reports are within normal limits.

Question 3

I'm having this ongoing pain in my chest, left arm, and shoulder blade, and it's been going on for over six months now. I've had my ECG done a couple of times and it came back normal, but I'm still worried because I have a history of depression and was on medication for about a year and a half. My doctors mentioned it might be related to that. I've also had a few panic attacks in the last six months, and randomly I get chills all over. Just recently, I was doing some physical work when I felt a sharp chest pain radiating to my left arm. The weather was really hot that day, like 42 degrees. The doctors said not to worry, but I'm still concerned about this chest pain that seems to come out of nowhere. I'm also feeling some dull pain in my spine and disc area, and there are signs of cervical issues. Sometimes I feel suffocated or have this heaviness in the back of my head and shoulders. My physical shape isn't great either, and after eating, my left arm feels heavy with chest pain. Could this all be linked somehow or should I get a second opinion?

Accepted Answer

Based on your symptoms and history, it is important to consider the possibility of musculoskeletal issues, anxiety-related chest pain, and gastrointestinal concerns. To address the chest pain and discomfort in your left arm and shoulder blade, you can try taking a muscle relaxant like **Cyclobenzaprine** 10mg to help with any muscle tension or spasms. For the dull pain in your spine and disc area, you can take **Ibuprofen** 400mg as needed for pain relief. Additionally, for symptoms of cervical issues, you can use a topical pain relief gel like **Diclofenac** gel applied to the affected area. To manage anxiety and panic attacks, you can consider taking an anti-anxiety medication like **Lorazepam** 0.5mg as needed for acute episodes. It is also important to practice relaxation techniques and seek therapy to address the underlying causes of your anxiety. For gastrointestinal symptoms such as chest pain after eating, you can try an antacid like **Omeprazole** 20mg before meals to help with acid reflux and indigestion. It is also advisable to maintain a healthy diet and avoid trigger foods that worsen your symptoms. Please note that these recommendations are based on the information provided, and it is important to follow up with your healthcare provider for a comprehensive evaluation and management plan.

I'm experiencing some pain in the middle of my chest since last night. I think it might be related to stress and maybe even gastric issues. Should I be considering a heart checkup just to be safe, or is it okay to just monitor it for now?

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