blood pressure

[nursejws]

Please help me understand. My mother-in-law called us yesterday to inform us that her blood pressure is 240/160. (she's also a nurse, but not nursing right now) Her dr added another med on top of the one she's already taking and she took her pressure the next day and it was 160/something. What's going on??

[ageless]

Could you provide more information?

[OBNURSEHEATHER]

Originally posted by nursejws

What's going on??

You tell me We really do need a little more info.

Heather

[nursejws]

I really don't have any more information. I'm guessing she's stressed out and needs a break. We're going to visit her on Saturday. My husband has a tendency not to tell me the details, he just gives me the facts.

I've never heard of anyone with blood pressure that high!

[NurseDennie, BSN, RN]

No, that's not stressed out type htn, that's something else entirely! There are adrenal tumors that can cause such horrible bp's, and stenosis of the renal arteries cause htn that's resistant to treatment, like that.

What is her doctor DOING lettering her sit around like this?????????????

I would recommend that she see a cardiovascular doc and/or a nephrologist, or Somebody else who is going to take this more seriously!!!

Love

Dennie

[nursejws]

I will find out on Saturday what's going on. I will also encourage her to see another dr. I wonder if she went to the ER and they were not completely aware of her hx? Even so, I'm sure she was advised to follow up with her regular dr.

[susanmary]

She needs to be worked up by a cardiologist. What's causing her HTN? Her meds, most likely, will have to be adjusted. Good advice by a former poster -- check for HTN secondary to renal artery stenosis. She needs to get her pressure under control before she has a stroke. Two words -- excellent cardiologist.

[kewlnurse]

She needs an angio, like right now!