Question 1

I've noticed my blood pressure has been fluctuating between 130 to 170 recently, but from yesterday, it's been around 140 to 156. What's really been worrying me is that my diastolic pressure stays pretty high, always between 90 and 110. I had an ECG done yesterday and it came back normal, and my TMT from last month was also fine. I do have a history of anxiety and I'm on medication for it, but my blood pressure usually stays normal even when I'm anxious. It's just been high for the past 4-5 days and I'm not sure what's causing it. What do you think I should do? Oh, and why is my diastolic pressure always high? I've had some mild chest pain sometimes too. Can you help me figure this out?

Accepted Answer

Your fluctuating blood pressure readings and consistently high diastolic pressure could be due to a combination of factors, including anxiety and other underlying health conditions. Since your ECG and TMT reports are normal, it's a good sign that there may not be any significant heart-related issues causing your symptoms. Given your history of anxiety and the recent increase in blood pressure, it's important to manage your stress levels and continue taking your anxiety medication as prescribed. Additionally, lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, a healthy diet low in sodium, and stress-reducing activities may help in controlling your blood pressure. To address your high diastolic pressure, your doctor may consider prescribing medications such as Amlodipine (5-10mg) or Lisinopril (10-40mg) to help lower your blood pressure and reduce the strain on your heart. It's essential to follow your doctor's recommendations closely and monitor your blood pressure regularly. If you experience chest pain or any concerning symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. It's crucial to stay in touch with your healthcare provider for further evaluation and personalized management of your blood pressure and anxiety.

Question 2

I'm really worried about my 37-year-old brother. He's been having this mild chest pain for a few months now, right in the heart area, and it sometimes radiates to his arms and back. We had an ECG, a TMT which showed a borderline positive at 10 Mets, and an echo doneall normal, and the coronary angiogram was normal too. The local doctor said it's non-cardiac and just gave him painkillers, but I'm not so sure. Could this be microvascular angina since the TMT was mildly positive and the angiogram came back normal? The pain just comes and goes for him, and it's really concerning. Do you have any advice on what this might be?

Accepted Answer

Based on the symptoms described and the test results provided, it is possible that your brother is experiencing microvascular angina. In such cases, medications like Ranolazine can be prescribed to help with the chest pain. The usual dosage for Ranolazine is 500mg to 1000mg twice daily. However, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Question 3

I'm trying to understand what's included in an angiogram report. I received a printed report, but later found out there should also be a CD provided as evidence. When I asked the hospital about it, they gave me one, but only after charging me. I'm worried why they didn't give it to me initially. Is there something fishy going on? Shouldn't they provide the CD in case I need to get a second opinion from another doctor?

Accepted Answer

In an angiogram report, the findings typically include details about the blood vessels in the heart, any blockages or narrowing, and the overall condition of the heart. The report may also mention the presence of any plaques or clots. As for the CD with images, it usually contains visual images of the angiogram procedure for further reference or consultation with other healthcare providers. It is not uncommon for hospitals to charge for providing a CD of medical images, as there may be costs associated with creating and providing this additional documentation. While it is ideal for hospitals to provide all necessary information upfront, sometimes there may be administrative reasons for not including the CD initially. If you have concerns about the process or the completeness of the information provided, it is best to directly discuss this with the hospital or healthcare provider who conducted the angiogram. They should be able to address any questions or issues you may have regarding the report and CD.

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