systolic goes up but diastolic goes down

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MockTurtle - 28 Mar 2004 14:18 GMT

A friend was admitted to the hospital with very low blood pressure
(70/40). While they were monitoring it, the systolic would rise but
the diastolic would drop.

What might cause this to happen?

They are currently testing to see what may be wrong with him. He
experiences high fever (102), muscle & joint aches and eye irritation.

Knowing that a little information is a dangerous thing, and planning
to keep all responses in perspective, might anyone want to comment on
this?

Many thanks.

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Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD - 28 Mar 2004 23:24 GMT

> A friend was admitted to the hospital with very low blood pressure
> (70/40). While they were monitoring it, the systolic would rise but
> the diastolic would drop.
>
> What might cause this to happen?

Infection with fever and pain. The pain will raise the systolic pressure
through increased sympathetic tone leading to increased stroke volume.
The infection/fever will decrease the systemic/peripheral vascular
resistance and decrease intravascular volume (through increased insensible
losses) thereby lowering the diastolic pressure..

> They are currently testing to see what may be wrong with him. He
> experiences high fever (102), muscle & joint aches and eye irritation.

Voila!

> Knowing that a little information is a dangerous thing, and planning
> to keep all responses in perspective, might anyone want to comment on
> this?

Just did.

> Many thanks.

You are welcome.

Servant to the humblest person in the universe,

Andrew

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com/

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