Suggest Treatment For High Blood Pressure With Diarrhea And Dizziness

Posted on Thu, 28 Apr 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 28 Apr 2016 Answered on

Tue, 14 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have had a series of what I thought were unrelated health symptoms but I wonder if they are actuallt related. First in the last two weeks I have had occasional loose stools. Then in the last month dizziness. and today I checked my blood pressure which is normally 120/80 and it was 168/80. This caused me some concern. Along with this for some months I also have had some back pain but I have just thought it was muscle related. Cold these all be tied together for some reason?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Some tests are required

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question. Welcome to HCM. I carefully read your query.

I am going to answer step by step. First, I would like to inform you about the high blood pressure. It is not impossible for you to have hypertension, but blood pressure is a variable parameter of the human organism. It fluctuates many times a day - you may find it low or high - based on physical activity, psychological stress, caffeine-containing beverages, normal hormonal changes during a day etc. Therefore you may either measure your blood pressure 6-8 times a day after you have been in resting state for at least 15 minutes, either you can wear a 24-hour blood pressure monitor, to assess if this is hypertension or not.

Second, I wanted to recommend some tests regarding dizziness and loose stool, because, although unrelated, I am basing my recommendation on your age of 77 years old. Therefore, a cardiac check-up would be appropriate:
- an EKG - to evaluate the electricity and conduction of the heart
- an echo cardiogram - to assess the valves and heart chambers by means of structure, size and motility
- an echo Doppler of the carotid (neck) arteries - to assess whether there are blockages which could explain the dizzines you have been having
- a complete blood count
- a full biochemical panel
After the results are retained, further tests/treatment may be recommended.

I hope I was helpful with my answer. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions.

Best regards,
Dr. Meriton

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca (5 hours later)

Thank you for your reply and yes it does answer some of my questions. First, I guess I should not tie the symptoms all together. I know that hypertension can varied depending on activity and intake of caffeine but I routinely run a normal BP. It was a XXXXXXX today to run 168/80 when it is usually 120/80 or 110/80/ I am going to monitor it for a couple of days and if it does not change I will see my PMD. Thanks for the info re: the dizziness (and actually some vertigo) I was going to make an appointment to see and ENT specialist but perhaps a cardiologist would be the way to go. It would be good to make sure the arteries are flowing smoothly. I think that is important. You have been a big help! I will take your recommendations!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I am glad to have been of help

Detailed Answer:
Hello again, Madame!

I am really glad I have been of help with my information and the answer altogether. Wish you a good health.

Kindly, close the discussion and rate the answer, if you do not have any follow-up questions.

Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak