Can Ascites And Cirrhosis Cause High BP In An Elderly Woman?

Posted on Wed, 10 Aug 2016

Question: hi, my spouse, 69yo female, non drinker, healthy diet, recently had bout with hypertension. Went to doc, confirmed high BP, liver enzymes came back high. Ultrasound performed, found gallstone in bile duct. Going to pre-op consult tomorrow. Is this hypertension due to ascites with underlying cause of PBC and/or cirrhosis?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
see next

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.
Hypertension may be casued by cirrhosis but more common exact cause is heart or kdiney disease. However, cirrhosis and ascites will always worsen hypertension. Also, Ascites may be sign of right heart insufficiency or liver failure.
I am not sure if it is smart to do gal bladder removal if he has cirrhosis with ascites unless there is galbladder inflammation.

Wish you good health.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar