Can Parkinson’s Cause High Blood Pressure? 

It is a fact that Parkinson’s can cause fluctuations in blood pressure. Nevertheless, more than often, this fluctuation is downward instead of upward.

In sum, it is safely assumed that generally, Parkinson’s causes low blood pressure, known as hypotension, except in rare cases of high blood pressure known as hypertension. 

We have a related article for you, you can read How Is Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosed?

Causes Of Low Blood Pressure With Parkinson’s – Can Parkinson’s Cause High Blood Pressure? 

Patients experience low blood pressure while changing positions. This orthostatic hypotension is either caused by Parkinson’s or its concomitant medications. This situation is common in aging people. 

As Parkinson’s primarily has a nerve-wracking effect. It wreaks havoc on the network of nerves – the controlling lines for blood pressure. 

Similarly, some specific Parkinson’s medications like levodopa and dopamine agonists also cause dipping blood pressure. 

Other exclusive conditions that cause low blood pressure include anemia, dehydration, diuretics, and some specific antidepressants. 

How to Evaluate the Blood Pressure Drop?

A physician can better check the blood pressure measures when sitting, standing, or lying. Meanwhile, the doctor also looks for blood pressure symptoms, such as dizziness or lightheadedness.

For precise testing, physicians may resort to urine and blood tests too. 

Treatment of Fluctuating Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure because of Parkinson’s can be treated in three popular ways;

1. Through diet 
2. Through lifestyle 
3. Through medication 

Treatment Through Diet 

• Enhance water intake to six-eight glasses each day. 
• If you don’t have heart or kidney issues, then you should also increase the intake of salt in your food. 
• Avoid alcoholic or other hot non-alcoholic beverages. 
• Instead of three large ones, take multiple meals throughout the day. 

Treatment Through Lifestyle 

• Change positions cautiously and slowly. 
• Avoid prolonged standing postures. 
• Drink plenty of water, especially a couple of glasses of a cold one, before standing up. 
• Use pillows to raise the head of the bed before sleeping. 
• Wear compression leggings on your legs. 
• Exercise lightly; rigorous exercise brings more harm than good. 

Treatment Through Medication 

The aspect of medication should be vetted from two aspects. Firstly, the existing medication must be probed whether they contribute to low blood pressure or otherwise. Secondly, some medications could treat the rising blood pressure.

Droxidopa (Northern) is an approved medication for the treatment of orthostatic hypotension. Other prescriptions include ProAmatine (midodrine) or Florinef (fludrocortisone). 

Blood Pressure can Exacerbate the Parkinson’s Effects

Adopting the prevention tactics beforehand; otherwise, the effects of Parkinson’s could exacerbate. Tremors, rigidity, and slow movements are commonplace when the BP level goes awry. 

Following are some of the effects of Parkinson’s that could be exacerbated during blood pressure fluctuations. 

Speaking Deficiency 

Parkinson’s disease usually affects the muscles. The muscles around the body become softer and retard the thinking and communication ability.

This speaking deficiency exacerbates manifolds once your BP is not in control. 

Swallowing and Chewing Difficulties 

Changes in the autonomic nervous system or the pharyngeal muscles increase the risk of choking in the throat.

Tinkering with blood pressure produces a plethora of saliva. This situation can lead to drooling and public embarrassment. 

Anxiety and Depression 

Depression is an accompanying symptom of Parkinson’s. The misplaced depression and anxiety are extremely challenging for your loved ones.

Nonetheless, if you experience a drop or surge in blood pressure, it comes up with more complications such as mood swings, sleep disorders, psychosis, and behavior change. Managing blood pressure could improve the quality of functionality. 

Sleep Disorders 

Parkinson’s disease compels wakefulness. This disorder becomes more tricky when blood pressure is unregulated.

Higher or lower blood pressure causes Sleep Apnea, vivid dreams, nightmares, restless legs, turning over in bed, and overall body comfort. 

Urinary Complications 

Generally, 20-30% of victims of Parkinson’s disease experience urinary problems. Fluctuating BP can increase this threshold by 40-50%.

They may leak urine and need to urinate more than usual. Blood pressure is an underlying cause of permanent damage to the kidneys and glands. 

Constipation 

As Parkinson’s has an overall feeble bearing on the human body. Higher or lower blood pressure exacerbates this problem and weakens the gut muscles – constipation is a resultant cause. That problem can be leveled up by fluid intake.

The permanent discomfort of constipation reduces the overall quality and length of life. Besides managing blood pressure, using laxatives, prebiotics, probiotics, and fibers could do the trick. 

Dementia 

The most prevalent disorder associated with Parkinson’s is dementia. This memory loss is because of a change in protein programming inside the brain.

Dementia is an overarching umbrella term that comes up with issues, such as difficulty remembering things, making decisions, and focusing.

The change in blood pressure adds insult to injury and pushes the situation to delusions and hallucinations. 

Excruciating Pain 

90% of the physical pain associated with Parkinson’s belongs to the musculoskeletal category. Lower BP piles up misery by bringing in the sensation of aching, cramping, and burning. The pain is so excruciating that even therapies don’t work at all. 

Summary 

Parkinson’s disease also tinkers with the standard threshold of blood pressure. More than often, it results in low blood pressure. But, sometimes, blood pressure also surges owing to Parkinson’s.

Also, make sure to check out my post on What Is Dopamine Quizlet Parkinsons Disease?

For people living with Parkinson’s, it is pertinent to maintain their blood pressure, lest grueling complications should arise.

Moreover, some sure-fire tricks do the trick and can level up the misery. On the flip side, all the bad vibes associated with Parkinson’s exacerbate vehemently without bounds if you don’t keep a check on abnormal blood pressure. Live safely!