A bit concerned. Spike in blood pressure

JeffB · Feb 10, 2011

Hi Everyone,
I posted this back in May of 2009 if anyone would like to look at my background numbers.
http://www.valvereplacement.org/for...l-Echo-Results&p=405646&highlight=#post405646

I'll start this off by saying that I have an appt. with the dr. for a physical on Monday. At that time, I'll schedule my echo and my CT scan. I kinda wish it was sooner.

Just to recap, I'm fairly healthy and am an avid runner. I'll be 45 this summer. I have access to the gym at work and they have a blood pressure machine (like the one you see at wallgreens) so I regularly monitor my bp.
For the most part, I've always had common readings of around 118-122 / 76-78 with a pulse in the low 50's pre-workout.

About a month ago I remember complaining to my wife that it was always hard to breath, and I just couldn't catch my breath even when laying down at night to sleep. I also had mild lower back pain. This happened for a few days, but eventually went away (except the back pain). I racked it up as possibly a mild respiratory infection. Who knows, maybe it was?

But what I found alarming, is that my blood pressure suddenly spiked pre workout to around 148-155 / 80 while my pulse remained in the low 50's.

I had started to take Creatine on the advice of a friend to help recovery time so when I saw the elevated BP, I asked, "What's changed". A quick google of Creatine and High blood pressure came back as a potential positive, so about two weeks ago I cut the Creatine out.

Before yesterday's workout my blood pressure was 144/78 and pulse was 51. Again, only a month ago my BP has been stable at or below 120.

So yeah, I'm a little concerned today, especially after reading this morning about the possibility of a mild dissection of the Aorta. I've got the mild to moderate lower back pain and an elevated and sustained blood pressure. What I didn't have was a ripping feeling in my chest.

Anyway, hopefully everything is a-ok, and maybe I'm just a bit OCD today. I think I'll just chill till I see the dr on Monday and at lunch today, I'll see if I can get my pulse and blood pressure taken from each arm, as that can also be a sign if something is going on.

So I suppose aside from worry and the need to talk about this, I'd like to know what everyone else knows.

Thanks,
Jeff

williamsm18 · Feb 10, 2011

when my blood pressure started to spike back in nov from exercising i went to my wifes cardiologist to be checked. upon finding that my aortic valve had went to moderate reguritation he also found a anyrysm that was 5.3 c. i had the anyrysm and valve replaced on jan 12 at beaumont hospital in detroit and glad that i did. recovery has been going well and most of all i dont have to worry about the anyrysm any more. so definetly get it checked there isnt many second chances with these. i am close to your age and we have alot of life left to live. if i can help you any feel free to email me at [email protected]

mark w
aortic valve replacement and ascending aorta jan 2011

JeffB · Feb 10, 2011

Hi mark,
I see your not to far from me as I live in the Lapeer area and I'm glad that your recovery is going well.

Prior to November, were you aware that you had the aneurysm? If so, can you tell me a little about that? Also, I'm going to assume that you exercised and took your own blood pressure readings on a regular basis which is how you recognized the increase in your BP. Can I ask what your readings were before the spike, and what they spiked to?

I know I'm asking a lot of questions, and I hope your ok with that.

Thank you so much!

Jeff

williamsm18 · Feb 10, 2011

i was not aware of the anyrysm i knew i had a bicuspid valve prior to october my blood pressure was normal below 120 i noticed with exercise and just resting it would spike to 140 to 150 i dont know what it was from however after surgery it hasnt been over 110 my bottom number has always been normal 60 to 70. my last checkup prior to november was in 2009 so this was a suprise when i found out i needed surgery so soon.i wish you the best hopefully it is nothing however with a anyrysm it is something you want to have checked. if or when you need surgery i can recommend a few surgeons in our area aorta anyrysm surgery is a more complex procedure but not any more riskier with the right surgeon.

JeffB · Feb 10, 2011

Thanks Mark,

I've known about my BAV since I was a child, but I only recently (2009) found out about the aneurysm. I am going to see my dr. on Monday and schedule my yearly CT scan and Echo and I'm crossing my fingers that everything is a-ok.

The last Cardiologist that I saw told me that surgery would not be fun as the aneurysm is at the root, or the way she put it, it was an extension of the valve and what made it tricky is it was close to the coronary arteries. Now, I've never had a second opinion, but I've always kinda figured that I'm so close to Cleveland that's where I would go if I needed surgery. I don't really know though, I've heard very good things about Beaumont, so depending on what happens next week I just may be sending you an e-mail. But hopefully not.

After exercising, I think the highest blood pressure reading I saw last week was low 170's with a pulse of around 109. Generally I'm a bit more recovered when I take my readings and my pulse is generally in the high 90's and my systolic pressure has been in the upper 150's and occasionally in the lower 160's. Before this spike in systolic blood pressure, I would only be in the 130's.

Well, who knows.. worrying about it at this point isn't going to change anything. Gah.....

Jeff

williamsm18 · Feb 10, 2011

hi jeff
best of luck to you i hope its a small thing they can figure out. your right no sense worrying about things you cant change. everything will go well for you im sure. cleveland would be a number 1 choice i couldnt go there for insurance reasons but lets hope you wont need them for a long time. let me know what you find out if you dont mind. if theres any advice you need drop me an email good talking to ya.