Q. My mom suffers with high BP and headache. Is there any heart related issue?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I want to assure you do not worry as everything is going to be fine if proper care and treatment is opted in for. I have thoroughly gone through your case and reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity) and can well understand your genuine health concerns. Her serum amylase levels are a bit high than the normal limit (according to the specific lab range for normal from where she got tested). In such a case some tests are extended to see what may be the reason behind this. Is she a known hypertensive/diabetic/thyroid disease and taking any medicine for that? Her apolipoprotein B (Apo-B) levels are a bit high. Does she have any heart disease and taking any medicines for that? It is necessary to see if she has a serious risk factor associated due to heart disease or diabetes that may lead to some risk for her. Hs-CRP levels (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) are increased in patients having coronary artery disease. It may be high in other issues too but we have to rule out the cardiac disease first. Homocysteine is not a significant marker as to show coronary artery disease of the heart but definitely her cardiac evaluation is needed. It also increases with age.

The probable cause is coronary artery atherosclerosis but needs clinical correlation through physical examination and the following testing.

Do fasting blood sugar levels HBA1c, LFTs (liver function tests) and RFTs (renal function tests), fasting lipid profile, ECG (electrocardiogram), exercise tolerance test, angiography and echocardiography.

Her cardiologist may advise after careful monitoring and diagnostic tests. Make an appointment as soon as possible with her cardiologist.

Ask her to take nutritious food like green leafy vegetables and fruits like kiwi, avocado, banana and orange. Almonds and nuts are also good. Give her Citrucel (Methylcellulose) dietary fiber supplement for good digestion and to control cholesterolTake two to three liters of water daily.

Revert back with the investigation reports to a cardiologist.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thanks for providing the details. I have once again worked through your mother's case.

She has some factors in laboratory work that are indicative of high risk for heart diseases. Every marker and test used for heart health evaluation is somewhat indicative of higher cardiac risk. But this is not an issue that may have developed today. It has developed in years. Her cardiac evaluation is necessary but it is not an urgent emergency. You may go for that as you mentioned after four to five days.

The tests I had already seen. I meant to say that her cardiologist will need the following tests to evaluate her.

Her cardiologist may advise after careful monitoring and diagnostic tests. Make an appointment as soon as possible with her cardiologist.

For further information consult a cardiologist online.

Same symptoms doesn’t mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

Experience: 12 + Yrs

Cardiology

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