Needing advice please... Numerous annoying symptoms.

[petsitter71]

Hi, I'm 53 and been suffering from hypertension the last week, I've had palpitations too and currently am experiencing shortness of breath and fatigue. The fatigue is the sort that the minute you sit down you feel like you can't keep eyes open. I have also been feeling very lightheaded which is worse when I stand/move around. I've also got this heavy feeling in my chest and have had pins and needles and a dull heavy ache in my left arm, also upper back pain at times too. Family history of hypertension and heart attacks/angina. Not been diagnosed as yet, Any thoughts

[Fanfab1]

Diagnosis by a doctor is what you need. If you feel more urgent and all or most of these symptoms have come on very recently but were ok before that, then best to call 111 as a minimum or sudden change 999. It’s difficult for anyone to advise on specifics as you haven’t had a diagnosis. (Haven’t read your bio so apologies if you do have a heart condition already known). Please do let us know how you get on. Good luck👍

[petsitter71 in reply to Fanfab1]

Hi Fanfab1 thanks for your response, no I have no heart condition that I'm aware of but we have a strong family history of heart disease. My father having had two heart attacks before his fifties and now has angina and my mum suffered from hypertension and angina in later life. Just concerned I might be going same way as my mum. 🤷

[Fanfab1 in reply to petsitter71]

Are you hesitant about calling a doctor in case your fears (very valid ones) come true? I’d advise make the call, it’s never a waste of time and you are showing symptoms. Hopefully reassurance is all you need that all is well but you won’t know till you ask. Sorry if sounds like nagging ❤️

[sturon]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

There is a time when you need to seek advice from your GP.

THIS IS THAT TIME.

You say you have hypertension, but don't say if you are on medication for this. The symptoms you are experiencing may be postural hypotension (low blood pressure on standing and moving around). This could be a sign of over medication. If you are not taking any medication there are many other causes of your symptoms. You should get these checked out. Ring today don't leave it.

Best wishes.

[petsitter71]

Thank you both for your replies, I am only on medication for an underactive thyroid and depression meds. I am awaiting to hear from my surgery as I borrowed a 24hr BP monitor from my pharmacy which showed high readings, I will contact them today to see if I can get checked out. Thank you for your reassurance and welcoming.

[sandandkev]

I had a dull ache in my chest a month ago,my best friend said I needed to go to A&E, I thought it was a waste of time,but my bp and pulse was high and was diagnosed with angina- never had any heart problems before but as you get older you get furred up arteries and these can cause angina,I'm now on tablets that mean I have no pain whatsoever and can live a near to normal life

[pete109]

I had much the same a couple of years ago, my jaw ached as though it was a dental problem, which after many visits to my dentist proved that it wasn’t, my neck ached as well, my BP was 210+ over 100+, panicked one morning and called 999, hospital found nothing, just meds until my BP lowered, after that I didn’t get very far with my GPs until I wrote a letter addressed to Doctors, putting my symptoms on paper, I knew there was something wrong and many hospital tests and scans later I had an urgent call on a Sunday morning from the cardiologist, booked in for a couple of stents the next week and six months later two more, I've thankfully never had a heart attack. I find that because hypertension makes you anxious, your body’s doing 100mph, your mind isn’t, you forget what you meant to ask, so put it on paper, name, date of birth and NHS number at the top and either hand it to the receptionist at your surgery or give it to your doctor on an appointment, that way seems to be the right crowbar to get things moving, otherwise if you’re really worried, again put your symptoms on paper and ring 111, they’re more helpful than 999 when you’re not actually having a heart attack or the like.

[bluemoon572]

Chronic fatigue is an ominous symptom unless you can put your finger on the cause such as sleep disturbance or chronic stress. You require a workup including a thorough system review,complete physical examination & appropriate testing including complete general & metabolic blood testing with thyroid panel,urinalysis, outpatient cardiac monitoring, treadmill stress testing and getting BP under control. A specialist in internal medicine and a cardiologist could collaborate on your care and see to it that you're taking proper medications. You will then have peace of mind.