AboutCharles Cusumano, FMP, PA-C Expertise I will answer questions about the different causes of Hypertension; the complications; the treatments and the drugs used.Hypertension is a silent, potentially deadly disease that`s completely treatable. Knowledge is power.
Experience Nationally Certified Physician Assistant/Family Medicine Practitioner.
I've been in practice since 1975.
Organizations I am currently serving as an expert in the Family, General and Internal Medicine site right here at AllExperts.com. You can visit my profile there. I was also honored as a Distinguished Fellow in the AAPA.
Awards and Honors Distinguished Fellow American Academy of Physician Assistants
Question Dear Charles, my 19 year old student daughter has had 'episodes' of palpitations,breathing difficulty and holding her chest (sometimes in pain - which brings tears to her eyes - for a few years now). Despite visiting the doctor many times, she had only been prescribed a ventolin inhaler (we are in U.K!)but said it didnt help and so stopped using it. She has now discovered by accident that her B.P.is always low, however her pulse rate is extremely high - always over 100, and 157 during these 'episodes'. I am now very worried and the doctor has told her to wait 3 weeks for an E.C.G. and doesn't seem to be taking her seriously. Please can you advise us? Thankyou. Karen.
Answer Hi Karen,
The Inhaler can speed up her pulse. An EKG is OK but only shows electrical activity of her heart. A surface Heart echo would show heart muscle function and might be better suited to diagnose her complaint.
The other thing that has to be considered in her age group is panic/anxiety attacks. These can produce similar symptoms. Any reason for a 19 year old female to be anxious about anything going on around her?? :-)---family, school, job, boy friends etc? I don't mean to dismiss her complaint and an investigation should be done, but anxiety has to be part of the differential.
