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Do not want to feel stupid but scared
lufkinguy34 posted:
I know the title is something most people say but it is true.
Me: male, 46, smoke, overweight and i have had tia (2) in the past year. yes i do also have high BP.
Recently i have been feeling very run down, tired, dizzy at times, just out of synch. About a week and a half ago i had an episode where i felt like i was having a heart attack, almost when i got up and sat in a chair i felt very tired. slowly drifted off into what i can only describe as a weird sleep. I felt like i was asleep and could not move but i could think in a very disjointed way, almost like a dream. coughed and "woke up", here is the weird part. took a sip of sweet tea and it tasted salty, tried water and it tasted salty as well. no slaty taste in mouth just when i drank something. this went away by the next day.
i have also been experiencing headaches, the achy type pretty constant with shooting headaches in there too.
my blood pressure has been very high at times. the lady i stay with has hi BP so she takes hers and it is actually pretty normal lately. then i take mine and boom way up there. also fairly significanty difference between arms. right has read as hig as 230ish/140ish more normally in the 200/110 range. left is usually 20is points lower on the top number.
now i am intelligent and know that all this does not add up well but i do not want to over react. the 2 times i have been to the er was sent home feeling like i wasted my time and money. i just can not shake the feeling that i am very close to some bad stuff happening to me.
somebody out there must know what i am going through. i have no insurance so drs visits are pretty much out of the question. i feel as if i am going to have to have a stroke to get the attention i need.
am i close? sorry if that sounded weird but i just want to hear from someone that understands and maybe some good advice.
Me: male, 46, smoke, overweight and i have had tia (2) in the past year. yes i do also have high BP.
Recently i have been feeling very run down, tired, dizzy at times, just out of synch. About a week and a half ago i had an episode where i felt like i was having a heart attack, almost when i got up and sat in a chair i felt very tired. slowly drifted off into what i can only describe as a weird sleep. I felt like i was asleep and could not move but i could think in a very disjointed way, almost like a dream. coughed and "woke up", here is the weird part. took a sip of sweet tea and it tasted salty, tried water and it tasted salty as well. no slaty taste in mouth just when i drank something. this went away by the next day.
i have also been experiencing headaches, the achy type pretty constant with shooting headaches in there too.
my blood pressure has been very high at times. the lady i stay with has hi BP so she takes hers and it is actually pretty normal lately. then i take mine and boom way up there. also fairly significanty difference between arms. right has read as hig as 230ish/140ish more normally in the 200/110 range. left is usually 20is points lower on the top number.
now i am intelligent and know that all this does not add up well but i do not want to over react. the 2 times i have been to the er was sent home feeling like i wasted my time and money. i just can not shake the feeling that i am very close to some bad stuff happening to me.
somebody out there must know what i am going through. i have no insurance so drs visits are pretty much out of the question. i feel as if i am going to have to have a stroke to get the attention i need.
am i close? sorry if that sounded weird but i just want to hear from someone that understands and maybe some good advice.
2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Do not want to feel stupid but scaredI know the title is something most people say but it is true.<br /> Me: male, 46, smoke, overweight and i have had tia (2) in the past year. yes i do also have high BP.<br /><br />Recently i have been feeling very run down, tired, dizzy at times, just out of synch. About a week and a half ago i had an episode where i felt like i was having a heart attack, almost when i got up and sat in a chair i felt very tired. slowly drifted off into what i can only describe as a weird sleep. I felt like i was asleep and could not move but i could think in a very disjointed way, almost like a dream. coughed and "woke up", here is the weird part. took a sip of sweet tea and it tasted salty, tried water and it tasted salty as well. no slaty taste in mouth just when i drank something. this went away by the next day.<br /><br />i have also been experiencing headaches, the achy type pretty constant with shooting headaches in there too.<br /><br />my blood pressure has been very high at times. the lady i stay with has hi BP so she takes hers and it is actually pretty normal lately. then i take mine and boom way up there. also fairly significanty difference between arms. right has read as hig as 230ish/140ish more normally in the 200/110 range. left is usually 20is points lower on the top number.<br /><br />now i am intelligent and know that all this does not add up well but i do not want to over react. the 2 times i have been to the er was sent home feeling like i wasted my time and money. i just can not shake the feeling that i am very close to some bad stuff happening to me.<br /><br />somebody out there must know what i am going through. i have no insurance so drs visits are pretty much out of the question. i feel as if i am going to have to have a stroke to get the attention i need.<br /><br />am i close? sorry if that sounded weird but i just want to hear from someone that understands and maybe some good advice.
BillH99 responded:
. I felt like i was asleep and could not move but i could think in a very disjointed way, almost like a dream. coughed and "woke up",
Those symptoms could also be caused by an irregular heart beat.
But the headaches and taste change are more indicative of neurological (stroke).
And the difference in the arm pressure indicates that you might have plaque in the arteries that increase the risk of heart disease and a stroke.
And your BP is DANGEROUSLY HIGH.
In your area there should be a free/low cost clinic. Find it and get your BP treated.
And stop smoking. That does not cost anything and you can start it immediately.
Those symptoms could also be caused by an irregular heart beat.
But the headaches and taste change are more indicative of neurological (stroke).
And the difference in the arm pressure indicates that you might have plaque in the arteries that increase the risk of heart disease and a stroke.
And your BP is DANGEROUSLY HIGH.
In your area there should be a free/low cost clinic. Find it and get your BP treated.
And stop smoking. That does not cost anything and you can start it immediately.
Report This| Share this:Do not want to feel stupid but scared<b><i>. I felt like i was asleep and could not move but i could think in a very disjointed way, almost like a dream. coughed and "woke up",</i></b><br /><br />Those symptoms could also be caused by an irregular heart beat.<br />But the headaches and taste change are more indicative of neurological (stroke).<br /><br />And the difference in the arm pressure indicates that you might have plaque in the arteries that increase the risk of heart disease and a stroke.<br /><br />And your BP is <u><b>DANGEROUSLY HIGH</b></u>.<br /><br />In your area there should be a free/low cost clinic. Find it and get your BP treated.<br /><br />And stop smoking. That does not cost anything and you can start it immediately.
CardiostarUSA1 responded:
Hi:
"I have no insurance"
Patient resources
Many community clinics can offer personalized and high-quality health care, regardless of one's ability to pay. This decision is typically based on the size of one's family, household income and any other special circumstances.
If one has little or no income, donations and/or grants that some facilities receive, may/can make it possible for them to assist an individual on a limited or emergency basis.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Health Resources and Services Administration
HRSA-supported Health Centers
Find Affordable Health Care
Health centers are in most cities and many rural area. Health centers provide:
1. Checkups when you're well
2. Treatment when you're sick
3. Complete care when you're pregnant
4. Immunizations and checkups for your children
5. Dental care and prescription drugs for your family
6. Mental health and substance abuse care if you need it
http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx
"230ish/140ish more normally in the 200/110"
Stage IV hypertension is systolic of 210 and greater, and diastolic of 120 and greater.
Health dangers from blood pressure vary among different age groups and depending on whether systolic or diastolic pressure (or both) is elevated, and for how long.
Sometimes, high BP can suddenly become a "hypertensive crisis", which is described as when diastolic is greater than 120, and there are signs or symptoms of damage to the brain, heart, kidneys or other organs. If/when applicable, quick-acting drugs can be administered in the ER setting to reduce BP.
"Smoke"
Do quit smoking ASAP!
As reported, smoking increases the circulating levels of catecholamines and free fatty acids, which may contribute to the increased level of total cholesterol and decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein ("good" cholesterol) that are found in habitual cigarette smokers.
The effects on platelets may enhance coagulation (blood clotting). There can be accelerated coronary and peripheral vascular disease, and occurrence of a dreaded stroke and complications from hypertension.
The greatest concern is the acceleration or aggravation of cardiovascular disease. Smoking can promote atherosclerotic vascular disease by contributing to high cholesterol, endothelial injury (damaging the sensitive inner lining of the walls of the arteries), or both.
Complications of hypertension are more severe in those who smoke cigarettes. Smoking can also aggravate hypertension by causing vasoconstriction (tightening of the vessels).
About.com
After You Quit Smoking - The First 2 Days
Quit Smoking Benefits - the Healing Begins...When you quit smoking, the benefits begin within minutes of your last...
At 20 minutes after quitting:
Blood pressure decreases, pulse rate drops...
http://quitsmoking.about.com/cs/afterquitting/a/quitting20minut.htm
USA Today
Just one cigarette can harm DNA, Surgeon General says
12/9/10
"Tobacco smoke damages almost every organ in your body," says Surgeon General Regina Benjamin. In someone with underlying heart disease, she says, "One cigarette can cause a heart attack."
http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/health/2010-12-09-1Asmoking09_st_N.htm
"Overweight"
Lose weight sensibly, and keep ALL other known modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease closely in-check
WebMD
Choosing a Weight-Loss Program
http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/choosing-weight-loss-program
The Diet Channel
http://www.thedietchannel.com
Best of luck down the road of life.
Take care,
CardioStar*
WebMD member (since 8/99)
-
-
Quote!
"Be a questioning patient. TALK to your DOCTOR and questions. Studies show that patients who ASK the most QUESTIONS, and are most assertive, get the best results. Be vigilant and speak up!"
- Charles Inlander, People's Medical Society
.
It's your future......be there.
. .
WebMD/WebMD forums DOES NOT provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
"I have no insurance"
Patient resources
Many community clinics can offer personalized and high-quality health care, regardless of one's ability to pay. This decision is typically based on the size of one's family, household income and any other special circumstances.
If one has little or no income, donations and/or grants that some facilities receive, may/can make it possible for them to assist an individual on a limited or emergency basis.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Health Resources and Services Administration
HRSA-supported Health Centers
Find Affordable Health Care
Health centers are in most cities and many rural area. Health centers provide:
1. Checkups when you're well
2. Treatment when you're sick
3. Complete care when you're pregnant
4. Immunizations and checkups for your children
5. Dental care and prescription drugs for your family
6. Mental health and substance abuse care if you need it
http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx
"230ish/140ish more normally in the 200/110"
Stage IV hypertension is systolic of 210 and greater, and diastolic of 120 and greater.
Health dangers from blood pressure vary among different age groups and depending on whether systolic or diastolic pressure (or both) is elevated, and for how long.
Sometimes, high BP can suddenly become a "hypertensive crisis", which is described as when diastolic is greater than 120, and there are signs or symptoms of damage to the brain, heart, kidneys or other organs. If/when applicable, quick-acting drugs can be administered in the ER setting to reduce BP.
"Smoke"
Do quit smoking ASAP!
As reported, smoking increases the circulating levels of catecholamines and free fatty acids, which may contribute to the increased level of total cholesterol and decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein ("good" cholesterol) that are found in habitual cigarette smokers.
The effects on platelets may enhance coagulation (blood clotting). There can be accelerated coronary and peripheral vascular disease, and occurrence of a dreaded stroke and complications from hypertension.
The greatest concern is the acceleration or aggravation of cardiovascular disease. Smoking can promote atherosclerotic vascular disease by contributing to high cholesterol, endothelial injury (damaging the sensitive inner lining of the walls of the arteries), or both.
Complications of hypertension are more severe in those who smoke cigarettes. Smoking can also aggravate hypertension by causing vasoconstriction (tightening of the vessels).
About.com
After You Quit Smoking - The First 2 Days
Quit Smoking Benefits - the Healing Begins...When you quit smoking, the benefits begin within minutes of your last...
At 20 minutes after quitting:
Blood pressure decreases, pulse rate drops...
http://quitsmoking.about.com/cs/afterquitting/a/quitting20minut.htm
USA Today
Just one cigarette can harm DNA, Surgeon General says
12/9/10
"Tobacco smoke damages almost every organ in your body," says Surgeon General Regina Benjamin. In someone with underlying heart disease, she says, "One cigarette can cause a heart attack."
http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/health/2010-12-09-1Asmoking09_st_N.htm
"Overweight"
Lose weight sensibly, and keep ALL other known modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease closely in-check
WebMD
Choosing a Weight-Loss Program
http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/choosing-weight-loss-program
The Diet Channel
http://www.thedietchannel.com
Best of luck down the road of life.
Take care,
CardioStar*
WebMD member (since 8/99)
-
-
Quote!
"Be a questioning patient. TALK to your DOCTOR and questions. Studies show that patients who ASK the most QUESTIONS, and are most assertive, get the best results. Be vigilant and speak up!"
- Charles Inlander, People's Medical Society
.
It's your future......be there.
. .
WebMD/WebMD forums DOES NOT provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Report This| Share this:Do not want to feel stupid but scaredHi:<br /><br /><i>"I have no insurance" <br /></i><br /><i>Patient resources<br /><br /></i>Many community clinics can offer personalized and high-quality health care, regardless of one's ability to pay. This decision is typically based on the size of one's family, household income and any other special circumstances.<br /><br />If one has little or no income, donations and/or grants that some facilities receive, may/can make it possible for them to assist an individual on a limited or emergency basis.<br /><br />U.S. Department of Health and Human Services<br /><br />Health Resources and Services Administration<br /><br /><b>HRSA-supported Health Centers</b><br /><br />Find Affordable Health Care<br /><br />Health centers are in most cities and many rural area. Health centers provide:<br /><br /><b>1. Checkups when you're well<br /><br />2. Treatment when you're sick<br /><br />3. Complete care when you're pregnant<br /><br />4. Immunizations and checkups for your children<br /><br />5. Dental care and prescription drugs for your family<br /><br />6. Mental health and substance abuse care if you need it</b><br /><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx">http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx</a> <br /><br /><br /><i>"230ish/140ish more normally in the 200/110" <br /></i><br />Stage IV hypertension is systolic of 210 and greater, and diastolic of 120 and greater.<br /><br />Health dangers from blood pressure vary among different age groups and depending <b>on whether systolic or diastolic pressure (or both) is elevated</b>, and for how long.<br /><br />Sometimes, high BP can suddenly become a "<b>hypertensive crisis</b>", which is described as when diastolic is greater than 120, and there are signs or symptoms of damage to the brain, heart, kidneys or other organs. If/when applicable, quick-acting drugs can be administered in the ER setting to reduce BP.<br /><br /><i>"Smoke"<br /></i><br />Do quit smoking ASAP!<br /><br />As reported, smoking increases the circulating levels of catecholamines and free fatty acids, which may contribute to the increased level of total cholesterol and decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein ("good" cholesterol) that are found in habitual cigarette smokers.<br /><br />The effects on platelets may enhance coagulation (blood clotting). There can be accelerated coronary and peripheral vascular disease, and occurrence of a dreaded stroke and complications from hypertension.<br /><br />The greatest concern is the acceleration or aggravation of cardiovascular disease. Smoking can promote atherosclerotic vascular disease by contributing to high cholesterol, endothelial injury (damaging the sensitive inner lining of the walls of the arteries), or both.<br /><br />Complications of hypertension are more severe in those who smoke cigarettes. Smoking can also aggravate hypertension by causing vasoconstriction (tightening of the vessels).<br /><br />About.com<b><br /><br />After You Quit Smoking - The First 2 Days</b><br /><br />Quit Smoking Benefits - the Healing Begins...When you quit smoking, the benefits begin within minutes of your last...<br /><br /><b>At 20 minutes after quitting:<br /></b><br />Blood pressure decreases, pulse rate drops...<br /><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://quitsmoking.about.com/cs/afterquitting/a/quitting20minut.htm">http://quitsmoking.about.com/cs/afterquitting/a/quitting20minut.htm</a> <br />USA Today<br /><br /><b>Just one cigarette can harm DNA, Surgeon General says</b><br /><br />12/9/10<br /><br />"Tobacco smoke damages almost every organ in your body," says Surgeon General Regina Benjamin.<b> In someone with underlying heart disease, she says, "One cigarette can cause a heart attack."</b><br /><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/health/2010-12-09-1Asmoking09_st_N.htm">http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/health/2010-12-09-1Asmoking09_st_N.htm</a> <br /><br /><i>"Overweight"<br /></i><br /><b>Lose weight <u>sensibly</u></b>, and keep ALL other known modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease closely in-check<br /><br />WebMD<br /><br /><b>Choosing a Weight-Loss Program<br /><br /></b><a href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/choosing-weight-loss-program">http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/choosing-weight-loss-program</a> <br /><br /><b>The Diet Channel<br /><br /></b><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.thedietchannel.com/">http://www.thedietchannel.com</a> <br /><br />Best of luck down the road of life.<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />CardioStar*<br /><br />WebMD member (since 8/99)<br /><br /><img src=http://www.animateit.net/data/media/august2009/cardiogram_line.gif class=post_img /><br /><br />-<br /><br />-<br /><i></i><br /><i>Quote</i>! <br /><br />"Be a <u>questioning patient</u>. <b>TALK</b> to your <b>DOCTOR</b> and questions. Studies show that patients who<b> ASK the most QUESTIONS, and are most assertive, get the best results</b>. Be vigilant and speak up!" <br /><br />- Charles Inlander, People's Medical Society <br /><br />. <br /><br />It's your future......be there. <img src=http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif class=post_img /><br /><br />. . <br /><br /><b>WebMD/WebMD forums <u>DOES NOT</u> provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.<br /></b>
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