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What Causes Increased Blood Pressure After Stopping Crystal Meth?
My friend is 30, not overweight, and used crystal meth for the last 5 years. Now he's been off drugs for about 3 months and went to the VA for a physical and his blood pressure is 230/150. They told him to come back in a month or so. Should he be worried?
posted on
Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 3 Jan 2018
Answered on
Fri, 5 Jan 2018
Last reviewed on
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I passed carefully through your question and would explain that these blood pressure values are extremely high and may lead to an increased risk for intracranial bleeding or eye bleeding, which may have serious consequences.
High blood pressure could be related to Meth intake, but it is unusual considering the fact that he has stopped meth from three months.
Has he monitored his blood pressure before, while taking Meth?
For this reason, I recommend performing some tests to investigate for secondary causes of high blood pressure:
- a chest X ray study
- a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound
- complete blood count
- fasting glucose
- kidney and liver function tests
- blood electrolytes
- thyroid hormone levels
- cortisol and aldosteron plasma levels.
He should discuss with his doctor on these tests.
If these high blood pressure values persist, it is necessary starting anti-hypertensive therapy.
I would also advice reducing caffeine and salt intake.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I passed carefully through your question and would explain that these blood pressure values are extremely high and may lead to an increased risk for intracranial bleeding or eye bleeding, which may have serious consequences.
High blood pressure could be related to Meth intake, but it is unusual considering the fact that he has stopped meth from three months.
Has he monitored his blood pressure before, while taking Meth?
For this reason, I recommend performing some tests to investigate for secondary causes of high blood pressure:
- a chest X ray study
- a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound
- complete blood count
- fasting glucose
- kidney and liver function tests
- blood electrolytes
- thyroid hormone levels
- cortisol and aldosteron plasma levels.
He should discuss with his doctor on these tests.
If these high blood pressure values persist, it is necessary starting anti-hypertensive therapy.
I would also advice reducing caffeine and salt intake.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I find this answer helpful
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