Dr. Prashant Valecha
Cardiology
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I have been recently diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia by my family doctor. I have been experiencing lightheadedness, fainted a few times after standing. My BP is really high 186/102 mmHg on average with a normal pulse while lying down, then as soon as I sit or stand up my BP drops quite low 104/75 mmHg on average. I have also been experiencing severe fatigue, my whole body just aches all the time and I constantly feel short of breath and get chest tightness and on and off pains. I have reoccurring tremors in my left arm and fingertip numbness. I become very foggy minded usually at night and I get words mixed and my speech gets slurred and stuttered. The worst most uncomfortable feelings I have is shortness of breath and have difficulty trying to breathe. I cannot sleep feeling like this. I have a 3-month-old baby to take care of, but I need some advice on getting at least some temporary relief with my breathing and chest pains until I see the cardiologist. Please help. I am currently taking Celexa 40 mg at night for depression.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
It is postural orthostatic hypotension, i.e. a significant drop of blood pressure which is causing fainting and giddy kind of symptoms. To prevent this avoid sudden movements like while getting up from the bed, sit with the legs hanging on the side for a while then get up. While feeling faint just lie down on the floor, do not try to control and stand, surely you will fall. Second thing, your resting BP (blood pressure) is high it needs to be controlled as early as possible. It looks like gestational hypertension (after pregnancy). Chest tightness and breathing difficulty are due to resting high BP. Take tablet Amlodipine 5 mg once daily until you see any cardiologist and avoid sudden movements.
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Cardiology
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