Hi My husband is 64 and until I made him avail himself of a free BP and cholesterol test at the local chemists 3 months ago he felt healthy and well! The tests showed raised BP, raised blood sugar and a cholesterol of 7.4. When he saw his GP he had more blood tests and he started him on Metformin and Simvastatin. He took the statin for a total of 11 weeks but had to stop taking it due to the most awful aches and pains and loss of energy. His BP was never high enough for it to require treatment and the last blood tests showed a blood glucose of 6 and cholesterol of 4.5. He has had retinal screening, foot checks etc and they are ok so he is not due for another check up for 6 months. (I have, after reading posts on here, sent for a meter so we can check BS levels). He was just coming to terms with the diabetes when he started having awful episodes of palpitations and an ECG at the surgery showed atrial fibrillation and he is due for a 24 hour tape on Tuesday. It was fortunate that the day he had the ECG the fibrillation was evident as on the other occasions his GP could hear nothing untoward, his pulse was 80 etc. He started him on Cardicor and the latest BP reading was 127/71 which we understand is a good result. Today we went out with friends for a meal and he had a diet coke (he has cut out coffee and tea for 2 weeks )and he had terrible palpitations a couple of hours later. Was this the effect of caffeine?
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Newly diagnosed husband very stressed
- Thread starter poggypop
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cugila
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Hi poggypop.
Welcome to the forum.
Here is a link to a very informative site which should answer most of your questions about palpitations. Take a read.
http://www.medicinenet.com/palpitations/article.htm
Here is a link to information about blood pressure from the Blood Pressure Association with a very good video. Should answer any questions you have there.
http://www.bpassoc.org.uk/BloodPressure ... odpressure
An extract from a report published by the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Caffeine.
The most common substance associated with palpitations is caffeine. Frequently reducing or eliminating beverages that contain caffeine such as coffee or soda can improve palpitations. Some patients complain of palpitations when they eat too much chocolate, and some patients respond with palpitations around the holiday when they tend to drink too much alcohol, particularly red wine. In terms of over-the-counter medications, cold and allergy remedies often can precipitate palpitations. Frequently, palpitations occur without any obvious precipitating factor, although fatigue and getting behind on your sleep also cause palpitations to occur or worsen. (end)
It is good that further tests are to be made and I suggest that this all be discussed with your GP who will further advise you.
Ken.
Welcome to the forum.
Here is a link to a very informative site which should answer most of your questions about palpitations. Take a read.
http://www.medicinenet.com/palpitations/article.htm
Here is a link to information about blood pressure from the Blood Pressure Association with a very good video. Should answer any questions you have there.
http://www.bpassoc.org.uk/BloodPressure ... odpressure
An extract from a report published by the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Caffeine.
The most common substance associated with palpitations is caffeine. Frequently reducing or eliminating beverages that contain caffeine such as coffee or soda can improve palpitations. Some patients complain of palpitations when they eat too much chocolate, and some patients respond with palpitations around the holiday when they tend to drink too much alcohol, particularly red wine. In terms of over-the-counter medications, cold and allergy remedies often can precipitate palpitations. Frequently, palpitations occur without any obvious precipitating factor, although fatigue and getting behind on your sleep also cause palpitations to occur or worsen. (end)
It is good that further tests are to be made and I suggest that this all be discussed with your GP who will further advise you.
Ken.
Hi Ken,
Thank you for your very prompt reply and useful links which I have just looked at, they were very helpful. At the end of the day my husband has to put his faith in the NHS process and try not to get so stressed. He has always been a "glass half empty" person and is convinced that he is going to die soon of heart disease despite my reassurances that he might just have a healthy heart with a treatable fibrillation! His father had type 2 diabetes (lived till he was 88) and an arrthymia that was treated for 12 years with a pacemaker very successfully and he died in February of something completely unrelated to either of those conditions.
Thanks again Frances
Thank you for your very prompt reply and useful links which I have just looked at, they were very helpful. At the end of the day my husband has to put his faith in the NHS process and try not to get so stressed. He has always been a "glass half empty" person and is convinced that he is going to die soon of heart disease despite my reassurances that he might just have a healthy heart with a treatable fibrillation! His father had type 2 diabetes (lived till he was 88) and an arrthymia that was treated for 12 years with a pacemaker very successfully and he died in February of something completely unrelated to either of those conditions.
Thanks again Frances
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poggypop
some Diet colas still contain caffiene. I think Pepsi Max is one that doesn't. It would be worth your while checking out a few bottle labels next time you are in a supermarket, so you'll know which to avoid. Be aware that even if you ask for a diet cola, some places will give you whatever they have. Some diabetics have been caught out by sugar that way.
Incidentally, a pack of Clinistix is cheap and will allow you to "dip" your drink for sugar. Otherwise make sure you see the bottle.
some Diet colas still contain caffiene. I think Pepsi Max is one that doesn't. It would be worth your while checking out a few bottle labels next time you are in a supermarket, so you'll know which to avoid. Be aware that even if you ask for a diet cola, some places will give you whatever they have. Some diabetics have been caught out by sugar that way.
Incidentally, a pack of Clinistix is cheap and will allow you to "dip" your drink for sugar. Otherwise make sure you see the bottle.
