177/108 Help!

[KerryT]

My husband came home from work all flushed, and his bp was 168/108. An hour later its 177/108. He has been fighting a tooth infection and under a dentist's care for it, but it keeps him up at night and had little sleep this past week. He is 52, and has heart disease. I am worried, and the doctor hasn't called me back yet - its been an hour since I called the answering service. Should I take him to the ER, or is this because of lack of sleep? I'm worried.

[Lenin]

Kerry,

Having just gone through 4 days of a molar abscess I know what pain can do do blood pressure.

Does he have any hypertensive meds lying around the medicine chest? Beta-blockers or diuretics? Has he taken anything in the past...seems likely with heart disease.

It's NOT a medical emergency (no ambulance needed) but it is something that should be dealt with immediately.

("Fighting tooth infection" with heart disease strikes me as risky. Sometimes the decision to say bye-bye tooth is the safest way to go...It's what I chose last week. Last thing I need is a case of pericarditis.)

[richie65]

("Fighting tooth infection" with heart disease strikes me as risky. Sometimes the decision to say bye-bye tooth is the safest way to go...It's what I chose last week. Last thing I need is a case of C.)

I would agree with you on this, generally, but the implication that you made about pericarditis needs to be clarified. No need to unnecessarily alarm people. "The condition most commonly occurs as a complication of a viral infection (such as coxsackie or mumps) and usually clears up in a few weeks - often the only treatment needed is painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs)." "Treatment of pericarditis will depend on the cause. Often all that will be needed is anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation and ease the pain " See the following webpage, [url]http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=281&sectionId=157 3[/url]

[Lenin]

Richie,

I was speaking for myself and using pericarditis as but one fear of lingering tooth abcess. I could just as well have said "septic shock."
I have 3 prostheses, one in my heart, and I go to lengths to avoid septic infections of any kind.
A bad tooth throughout history has had but one outcome, removal before the jaw becomes gangrenous and infection spreads throughout the body.

I think that hanging onto diseased teeth by prolonged use of antibiotics in order to preserve a "smile" is dangerous. I think it is more dangerous for people with heart disease.

In any case, I think only a CORPSE can hold a normal blood pressure while battling a toothache (and all its $$$consequences$$$.)