Blood pressure rising rapidly and much higher on standing to 165/111

[KoalasandRabbit]

Spent the day at A&E due to edema for 9 days followed by very ill in heat, drank far too much water as felt about to lose consciouness and then got mild chest pains and breathlessness.

GP suggested A&E and they were great. Chest x-ray clear, bloods fine (though referred to auto immune next week and menopause tests), ecg normal, lungs OK but wheezing sound but one odd thing was my blood pressure normally always max of 120/80 was first time 135 (top) then next time 145/90 then they took it standing 165/111 then took again at 145/90 lying down and was released. They didn't mention anything about this - they have sent the 145 reading to GP and presumably they don't think its urgent but I'm a bit at the readings. The chest pain they thought might be anxiety, breathlessness they thought allergic asthma and pains electrolyte imbalance or virus.

Anyone know why blood pressure might be a lot higher than normal or why a lot higher on standing. They said they were checking for low as I get dizzy on standing. Thanks.

I’m not sure but I think it’s normal for blood pressure to be higher standing as your heart is working harder to pump blood for the action. Normally it’s taken sitting to get your testing blood pressure without any effort from your body. Have you got a home machine? They’re quite reasonable. We got one when DH had a high reading by chance at a check up. At home it was normal. If you were stressed and at A&E you can have white coat syndrome where it’s unusually high. I hope someone else who knows comes along soon but hope you’re better soon.

www.texasheart.org/heart-health/heart-information-center/frequently-asked-patient-questions/should-my-diastolic-pressure-change-when-i-stand-up/

Thanks very much. Not got a machine at home as its only been high once before and that was immediately before an operation and not that high at 130 over something. Previously had issues with low. Might well have been stress just before the operation!

Good idea to get one though, might well do that and see what it is here. I wasn't conscious of being stressed at A&E but could have been, DH wasn't allowed in with me but it was lovely there as hospitals go as got own room and bathroom and had lots of nice staff. It could be possible as I was on the covid-19 wing and am nervous of covid as get breathless from allergies but as had own room wasn't too concerned. Thanks very much for your help. It would be great if just a one-off.

One reading of 165/111 wouldn't be an issue. Get a home monitor and take it yourself morning and evening. That'll give you a real average

Cross post

Thanks Chatter Great minds think alike

Actually thinking about it day before yesterday I had loads of cramps from drinking too much water in heatwave and draining all the sodium out so I ate salty food all day, whereas I normally eat very little. I thought it would be gone by now but just checked and says 3-5 days so could be picking up that as well.

I think a salty diet raises blood pressure over time by hardening arteries rather than immediately but could be wrong.I’m sure your GP will arrange to check and monitor you.

Thanks Chatter Great minds think alike

Also - what the docs are happy with depends on age. Younger -120/70 , Older - late fifties for example - 140/80-90 is fine

Track your heart rate when sitting then upon standing. If it jumps up by over 30 or so then google a thing called pots.

I'm only thinking that way because of the sodium levels.

Yes you might well be right on salt, also it may have been one of my blood tests which they said were all normal though not sure what they were testing other than auto immune and menopause which come back in a week. I'm mid 40s.

I can ask GP if they don't get back - not sure what they will do but they have an e-mail system and respond within day though don't think its super urgent as hospital didn't say anything but put an exclamation mark by it on report.

I saw the pots thing before, I may get a blood pressure monitor for at home and check that as I have all the symptoms of that and it would explain a lot.

Also (sorry this is my nerdy subject!) don't go mad with drinking water. 500mls an hour is fine

And get an Omron. Not an all singing all dancing one - but basic Omron is best

Thanks - I normally don't drink that much but am completely heat intolerant, anything over 25C causes me to get very ill. Good job I live in England!

I do often get very dizzy / collapse / go wobbly on standing which made me wonder about pots before though doctors have never mentioned it and not sure which department its under. I seem to have been referred to autoimmune from what they were saying.

My doctor had said the amount I drank would have put a lot of strain on heart - maybe 16 litres over 2 days as felt was going unconscious with heat. Maybe that raised blood pressure as well though hospital didn't seem very concerned about it, said heart was the last thing they were worried about. I think next time I may be better to live in the bath.

Remember you can actually drink too much! Better to keep cool by wearing cotton and sitting by a fan. Try cool flannels or feet in cool water and sip water.

I can remember drinking too much water too fast to try to reduce my heart palps - it worked but I felt SO sick from the excess water intake

The menopause can have a significant impact on the heart, probably due to the physical anxiety.

In my case it went the other way and I suffered from the first time in my life with very low heart rate and blood pressure which went down to 50/80 even when standing. It causes constant lightheadness and dizziness, horrible.

I was referred to the cardiologist who did test, confirmed the low BP and HR but nothing much to do but drink water and give up all caffeine.

It got better on its own once I was fully into the menopause.

I found out the hard way you can drink too much water and won't be in a rush to do it again. Feeling the after effects still but doctor said I would feel like rubbish all weekend as my body would be fighting to clear the excess fluid. Trouble was I was already wearing cotton and water over me and still delerius with extreme thirst, nausea and dizziness, sweating like crazy then stopped sweating but felt horrendous and got pains everywhere and breathless. I looked at 111 online and it had said go to hospital but was trying to stay home and self resolve here. But my great plan to do that with industrial quantities of water didn't go to well. I asked my GP what alternative there is and he just said move to Sweden. It's a good job this year's holiday to Thailand got cancelled as was 32 every day there for 2 weeks though abroad they have air conditioning so I can manage there if its air conditioning inside and I go to water based activities. At least it'll probably be the only heatwave until next August here.

I've always been like this but past few years its got worse or maybe it got hotter. I am very interested to see results of menopause tests, I can't be in it as have periods but if I could go on HRT it may help with some issues if its that. Probably wouldn't solve everything but if it solved 50% that would be a huge improvement. Only thing is being having symptoms for 3 years and still got periods albeit very irregular.

I think I need a swimming pool in my house Thanks very much.

I got sent through some of the blood test results - note sure if there's autoimmune to come as well.

Almost all are normal, menopause ones are all low so looking very unlikely though they don't use tests over 45 which I am.

Sodium is the lowest level of the normal range so won't have been that with blood pressure.

Neutrophil:Lymphocyte Ratio is 6.6 which it says indicates an evolving infection - says over 3 does. Lymphocytes are low - they were at my last test as well in December both a 1.09, not surprised as I often get infections though better than it was. Something else indicates a virus though can't remember what it was. Covid test was negative though think they are 70% accurate. I've not left house since our Devon trip so pretty safe from it though unless caught it in Devon but it was self catering with a few trips with max of 12 people trying to distance so unlikely. Was a case in our supermarket on our street just before we left though, first here but unlikely as a month ago. Though as I permanently have a cough not sure how I would know.

Think allergies plus virus maybe most likely so trying anti-histamines. I also saw not sleeping can raise blood pressure - hadn't slept for 3 nights when taken as breathing issues / overheating at night so hopefully was just that plus stress. Still feeling pretty rubbish but at least I'm not working at the moment until schools return as SN child.

And also showed dehydration which was wierd as I have been drinking for England though had cut back after my days of massive water drinking due to extreme thirst.

@KoalasandRabbit

Thanks - I normally don't drink that much but am completely heat intolerant, anything over 25C causes me to get very ill. Good job I live in England!

I do often get very dizzy / collapse / go wobbly on standing which made me wonder about pots before though doctors have never mentioned it and not sure which department its under. I seem to have been referred to autoimmune from what they were saying.

The doctors don't really know a lot about pots. It's still relatively unknown.

I had a lot of your symptoms, not knowing about pots and eventually passed out so much I was sent to the hospital for tests - incidentally the consultant was a rheumatologist with a good knowledge of it. She done the seated - standing HR + BP tests and sent me away to drink more water and increase salt and exercise. Have done so for the last 4 months or so and have improved greatly! Worth mentioning if none of your blood tests pick anything up!

I thought I was going through the menopause too - thankfully not yet! x

Thanks very much - I will ask about pots.