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 a 28-year-old guy dealing with costochondritis and whenever I visit the doctor, my heart rate skyrockets and my blood pressure goes up, but when I'm back home, everything seems to settle down to normal. I'm really anxious about this. Could you help me understand what's happening and any suggestions on what I could do?

Accepted Answer

Your symptoms suggest white coat hypertension and anxiety, common in people with costochondritis; to manage anxiety, consider relaxation techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or meditation, and for white coat hypertension, ask your doctor about ambulatory blood pressure monitoring or home blood pressure tracking to get accurate readings and alleviate anxiety-related spikes.

Question 3

Hey, I had a heart attack three months ago and I initially thought it was just a gastric issue, so I didn't go to the hospital right away. I was working normally until I went in for a routine check-up a few days later and they told me I had a heart attack. They did an angioplasty and put a stent in my LAD, and everything seemed to go well. Now, I'm doing a morning walk every day, around 6 km in an hour. I'm a 47-year-old guy and I'm just wondering, when would be a good time for me to go for a stress echo?

Accepted Answer

Given that you had a heart attack three months ago and have since undergone successful angioplasty with stent placement, its important to follow your cardiologist's advice for follow-up care. Typically, a stress echo is recommended several months after the procedure to evaluate how well your heart is functioning under stress and to ensure that the stent is working effectively. You should consult with your cardiologist to determine the best timing for this test based on your individual recovery and health status. Its great that you are walking daily; continue following your doctor's guidance on physical activity and medication.

I'm feeling like there's a weight on my chest, and every so often, it really hurts. I've had COVID twice but I'm on the mend now. I was thinking of getting a chest x-ray, but I noticed there are different kinds, like AP view and lateral view. I'm not sure which one I should go for. Can you help?

Patient is advised complete blood count,esr,C-reactive protein and chest x-ray pa view.

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