Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Stage-3 CHF And Low BP
Question: My mother, 93 years old, with stage 3 congestive heart failure, has a blood pressure reading of 80 over 56,taken twice bout 10 minutes apart. Is this good reason to take her to a hospital? Email:
Brief Answer:
it needs investigation
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
this blood pressure is very low and needs to be investigated as soon as possible. Please keep in mind that when sleeping the blood pressure may drop, so if the measurements were done during her sleep or right after it, then a lower than usual blood pressure is expected (but it should also get back to normal soon).
If she has symptoms of hypotension (like feeling she's going to faint) then this is a very good reason to go to the hospital right away.
Potential causes may include:
- wrong measurement or measurement during her sleep
- taking more antihypertensive drugs than prescribed (by mistake)
- inadequate hydration (water intake).
- loss of fluids (bleeding, excessive sweating, etc).
- heart related problems like acute coronary syndrome or heart rhythm disturbances.
An electrocardiogram is essential for the investigation. Blood tests might help as well (like troponin assay, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium etc).
More tests might be ordered depending on the results.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
it needs investigation
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
this blood pressure is very low and needs to be investigated as soon as possible. Please keep in mind that when sleeping the blood pressure may drop, so if the measurements were done during her sleep or right after it, then a lower than usual blood pressure is expected (but it should also get back to normal soon).
If she has symptoms of hypotension (like feeling she's going to faint) then this is a very good reason to go to the hospital right away.
Potential causes may include:
- wrong measurement or measurement during her sleep
- taking more antihypertensive drugs than prescribed (by mistake)
- inadequate hydration (water intake).
- loss of fluids (bleeding, excessive sweating, etc).
- heart related problems like acute coronary syndrome or heart rhythm disturbances.
An electrocardiogram is essential for the investigation. Blood tests might help as well (like troponin assay, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium etc).
More tests might be ordered depending on the results.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
