66-Year-Old Man Experiences Numbness Due to Primary Hypertension – Symptoms Improve After Medication Adjustment
Hypertension often goes unnoticed until it starts causing visible symptoms. In this case, a 66-year-old male experienced sudden numbness in his hands and feet, which led to a medical evaluation and ultimately revealed uncontrolled primary hypertension. After adjusting his antihypertensive medications and implementing lifestyle modifications, his symptoms significantly improved. This article outlines the patient's journey from diagnosis to recovery and highlights the importance of consistent blood pressure management.
Patient Overview
Patient: Male, 66 years oldDiagnosis: Primary HypertensionHospital: First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityVisit Date: January 2022Treatment: Combination therapy with antihypertensive medications and lifestyle interventions including salt and alcohol restriction, smoking cessation, and moderate aerobic exercise.Treatment Duration: 7-day hospitalization, followed by outpatient follow-up after 3 months.Outcome: Complete resolution of numbness and stable blood pressure levels.
Initial Presentation
The patient, a 66-year-old man, arrived at the hospital accompanied by his children. He reported sudden numbness in his extremities that morning, although his mobility remained unaffected. With a known history of hypertension and inconsistent medication adherence, combined with long-term smoking and alcohol use, his family feared a possible stroke. Emergency imaging ruled out acute cerebral events, but his blood pressure was recorded at 178/80 mmHg. Upon physical examination, left ventricular enlargement was noted, and he was diagnosed with primary hypertension.
Treatment Process
Upon admission, his blood pressure remained elevated at 180/80 mmHg. He was started on amlodipine besylate and benazepril hydrochloride for immediate blood pressure control. Further investigation with a brain MRI was conducted to rule out acute cerebral infarction, which came back normal. Additional tests revealed left ventricular hypertrophy, carotid artery plaque formation, and electrocardiographic signs of left ventricular strain. Based on these findings, his treatment was switched to a combination of amlodipine and irbesartan hydrochlorothiazide to better manage his cardiovascular risk profile.
Therapeutic Outcomes
On the day of admission, the patient's blood pressure dropped to 156/70 mmHg with initial therapy, and his numbness showed early signs of improvement. Following the adjusted medication regimen and seven days of comprehensive management, his discharge blood pressure was 140/66 mmHg, and the numbness had completely resolved. A follow-up ultrasound after three months showed no progression of carotid plaque, indicating effective disease stabilization.
Post-Treatment Recommendations
While the patient's condition improved significantly, long-term management remains crucial. As a geriatric patient with a history of poor medication adherence, establishing a consistent treatment routine is essential. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and abstaining from alcohol are strongly advised to improve long-term cardiovascular outcomes. Given the use of diuretics, regular monitoring of electrolytes and uric acid levels is necessary to prevent secondary complications.
Clinical Insights
This case illustrates how hypertension can present with atypical symptoms such as limb numbness, often overlooked as a direct consequence of elevated blood pressure. While public awareness of stroke is growing, this case reminds us that uncontrolled hypertension itself can lead to systemic microvascular damage. Consistent medication use and timely medical intervention are key to preventing serious complications and maintaining overall health.