Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

What's causing my edema?

I'm a 21 year old female with a BMI of 43.5 and a moderatively active lifestyle due to school/work. I walk 30 minutes every day, at a brisk pace. I have primary hypertension despite a low-sodium diet and Lisinopril (I was prescribed hydrochlorothiazide but due to my IBS-D I ended up dehydrated and requiring FRT in the ED). Due to my HR being chronically low, I'm not a good candidate for beta blockers so I'm on Lisinopril which just can't seem to manage my BP. My average resting heart rate is 48! I have a pulsation visible in 4/10 nailbeds that coincides with my heart rate, I've since learned it's called Quickne's pulse. I can't remember the last time I DIDNT have edema in my feet and legs. Some days it's worse than others, but every day it's pitting edema. I get a tightness in my chest sometimes and I can't seem to catch my breath. I'm tired all the time. I've gone to my PCP and had several several blood panels, urinalysis, etc with no conclusive results. I've gone to the ED due to the pain in my chest and inability to catch my breath and was tucked away to finish the cardiac enzyme protocol then shipped home with some Maalox as if it was some acid reflux causing my feet, hands, arms and face to swell. SOMETHING isn't right. I'm frustrated and tired of getting the run-around. Please help!
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
1530171 tn?1448129593
Yes, you should see a cardiologist indeed, however, the low salt diet may not be for you!
From the groundbreaking book The Salt  Fix by Dr. DiNicolantonio:

Excerpt:
A deeper look into the relationship between salt and hypertension
By James DiNicolantonio, PharmD, author of The Salt Fix

"We’ve all been told over and over again that salt raises blood pressure, which in turn increases risk of strokes and heart attacks.

The theory, at first, made a lot of sense: excess quantities of salt cause the body to retain excess water and lead to high blood pressure in most people; consequently, reducing your salt intake will lower your blood pressure. Straight ahead, simple, logical — right?

It was dead wrong.

Here’s the truth: normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg. But reducing your salt intake to around 2,300 milligrams per day (1 teaspoon of salt) may only lower your blood pressure by a meager 0.8/0.2 mmHg. So, after enduring staggeringly bland and often debilitating salt restriction, your blood pressure may now hover around 119/80 mmHg — a mere blip, not a significant difference.

Plus, approximately 80 percent of people with normal blood pressure are not even sensitive to these meager blood-pressure-raising effects of salt; among those with prehypertension (a precursor to high blood pressure), roughly 75 percent are not sensitive to salt, and among those with full-blown hypertension, about 55 percent are immune to salt’s effects on blood pressure. Indeed, even in those with hypertension (blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher), reducing salt intake may only lead to a reduction in blood pressure of just 3.6/1.6 mmHg.

As we’ve also seen, many people with normal blood pressure, pre­hypertension, and hypertension may even get a rise in their blood pressure if they restrict their salt intake. This is because when salt intake is severely limited, the body begins to activate rescue systems that avidly try to retain more salt and water from the diet. These rescue operations include the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (well known for increasing blood pressure) and the sympathetic nervous system (well known for increasing heart rate). Clearly, this is the opposite of what you want to happen!"

Look into increasing Nitric Oxide naturally.
There are Nitric Oxide dumping exercises you can do anywhere within minutes!
Just do a search. They're simple enough and not strenuous, however, it's always a good idea to check with your doctor.
A massage roller (always massage toward the heart) for 5 minutes, several times daily, will help boost lymph circulation and reduce swelling.
Intentional Diaphragmatic and Thoracic deep Breathing   for 5 minutes, several times daily as well, will also help boost lymph circulation and reduce swelling. and boost Nitric Oxide levels!

You may not be a good candidate for most BP lowering drugs, so the above protocol may be a good natural alternative, but please check with your PSP,who I hope is OPEN minded and NOT prescription trigger happy, lol!  Not that I can see much contra-indications with what I have suggested.

And finally , please lose some weight!
My dad lost  15 Kgs (like 33 Lbs) in a year and is  now completely off his BP meds

I hope this helps, but please note that this is not a substitute for medical advice.

Best wishes,
Niko

Helpful - 0
1756321 tn?1547095325
Quincke's pulse is a physical finding of severe and chronic aortic insufficiency. A listed cause of aortic insufficiency is high blood pressure. Other symptoms of aortic insufficiency include chest pain or tightness that increases with exercise and subsides when you’re at rest, fatigue, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing when lying down, weakness, fainting, swollen ankles and feet. I would recommend seeing a cardiologist.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Undiagnosed Symptoms Community

Top General Health Answerers
363281 tn?1643235611
Nelson, New Zealand
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
19694731 tn?1482849837
AL
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.