Hello, my son (17) suffered a head injury as a result of a fall (he was jumping on his bike). Doctors found concussion and cut skin on the head. The X-ray did not show a fracture of the skull. Neurological examinations showed no change in reaction. However, I am concerned about the relatively high blood pressure my son has on the fourth day after the accident. By nature, its pressure varies between 90/60 and 110/70 (our whole family is the so-called low pressureers). At the time of admission to the hospital (two hours after the injury), the son's blood pressure was 90/67. After the drips were applied, the pressure increased to 120/80. On the second day after the accident, after a night, his blood pressure was 135/84, on the third day it was also around 130/80, and today 148/77. Nurses take his blood pressure every three hours and he gets this higher blood pressure in the morning. He hasn't had eye examinations yet. The doctor says a CT scanner is not needed. Should I discharge him from the hospital and just watch him or demand some additional tests?
Hello,
Concussion following a head injury is a medical condition that requires observation of the patient in a hospital setting, therefore I strongly advise against discharging my Son from the hospital! Increased pressure values that appeared under these circumstances indicate the possibility of hypertension in the future.
For the formal diagnosis of hypertension, it is necessary to determine the pressure equal to or higher than 140/90 mmHg three times on different days, or 1 - measurement showing the values of 180/110 mmHg. Out of the pressure values quoted by you, one measurement meets these criteria - so it can be said that the diagnosis for hypertension is in progress, but has not been completed.
If there is a need to lower the blood pressure, the doctors caring for my Son will certainly apply the appropriate treatment - perhaps it is already being used - because there are special drips that lower the pressure. The morning time is typical for high blood pressure surges. When the Son's he alth improves, further blood pressure measurements will be indicated. I suggest that you contact me by e-mail in 4-6 weeks and write what the pressure was during this period. I cordially greet you, and I wish my son a quick recovery! Krystyna Knypl, MD, PhD
Remember that our expert's answer is informative and will not replace a visit to the doctor.
Krystyna KnyplInternist, hypertensiologist, editor-in-chief of "Gazeta dla Lekarzy".
More advice from this expert
Candida albicans yeast allergy [Expert's tip]Painful bursting blood vessels in the knee area [Expert's advice]Shortness of breath, pressure and pain in the heart area [Expert Advice]I still have a cold - what should I do? [Expert advice]Pressure in a teenager [Expert Advice]What will help me with heartburn? [Expert advice]Can emotions and character affect pressure spikes? [Expert advice]Is mold in pasta harmful to a child? [Expert advice]Can poor kidney function cause calf swelling? [Expert advice]What is the difference between myocarditis and myocardial infarction? [Expert advice]My blood pressure rises a lot - how can I control it? [Expert advice]HIV diagnosis [Expert Advice]WFD doubled - morphology [Expert's advice]My stomach teases when I stop taking medications [Expert advice]What tests should I do when my eyelids are swollen [expert's advice]Cough after high blood pressure medication [Expert's Advice]I am 12 years old and I think that I am fat [expert's advice]How long does hepatitis B vaccine give immunity? [Expert advice]Ineffective treatment of bronchitis [Expert advice]Failed treatment of giardiasis [Expert Advice]Blood test standards for a 6-year-old [Expert's advice]Symptoms of phase II sarcoidosis [Expert's advice]Obesity and the treatment of hypothyroidism [Expert advice]I almost always have cold feet and hands [Expert Advice]The causes of brittle, brittle, falling out hair [Expert's advice]Diagnosing myocardial infarction after heart transplant [Expert advice]Varying Opinions About Back Surgery [Expert Advice]Self-removal of an abscess on the tonsils [Expert's advice]Persistent clinks of the legs after childbirth [Expert advice]Visualization of veins with hormone treatment [Expert's advice]