What Causes High BP And Prickly Sensation On Side Of Neck And Scalp?

Posted on Mon, 31 Aug 2015

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

Mon, 31 Aug 2015 Answered on

Mon, 28 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My blood pressure is 190 over 83. This is the highest it has ever been. I also feel a prickly sensation off and on the left side of my neck and up into my scalp on the left side. I am 91 years old. What should I do?

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Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Go to emergency. Cannot reduce high blood pressure at home.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:

1. Systolic blood pressure is too high. Diastolic is good.
2. Dosage change for hypertensives along with additional ACE inhibitors or beta blockers may be necessary.
3. However, at present, blood pressure needs to be brought down to less than 150 at the earliest. Hope it is not rising due to heart or other causes. The pain radiating to the neck, cardiac event needs to be ruled out.
4. Do go to the emergency for hypertension management and an ECG.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, here to help again.

Dr. Prakash HM

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar