Saving Back
Years ago, one of my EMS partners saved my life. Literally. I had a severe allergic reaction, and I was treated by my own partner (and a newbie EMT that was with us on a ride-along).
Last night, I had a chance to repay that debt. Not to the same person, but to my current friend and EMS partner/boss. He told me over the weekend his pressure was high, and that he knew he had High Blood Pressure (HBP). How high? 170/120. Thats up there. Especially the diastolic (the lower number). I had sent him a text message yesterday, trying to get my gear back that I loaned him recently. It took a while, but I got a response, including that he had a nasty headache. My first thought was to ask him what his BP was. He hadn't taken it (His wife is an EMT also, but he apparently refused to let her take it), but he was bringing my gear over, and asked me to check it.
When he arrived, it was clear he wasn't doing well. I checked his BP. It was 190/122. Eek. That is getting atmospheric, folks. And at that pressure, a stroke is a good possibility. He was a bit altered, also. Not a lot, but clearly not himself. Had periods of blurring vision, and that headache.
I advised him to get to the ER NOW. He was dealing with uncontrolled hypertension, and after pleading with him for a few minutes, reminding him that he tell his patients the same thing (He agreed), and mentioning some other things, including the fact that he would more than likely have a stroke, he finally said he would go to the ER. He left for home, a few minutes from my house. In hindsight, I should not have let him drive home.
In the meantime, I finked on him to his wife. I sent her a text message with the BP's from both arms. She met him at the door with her cell phone in hand, "188/122??? You need to see your doctor TOMORROW!", is what she told him. His reply was, "Actually, I'd like you to take me to the ER". So, off they went. It took 3 different BP meds to get him out of the stratosphere, and some narcotics for the headache. They also did a head CT, to rule out a stroke, since he was symptomatic.
UPDATE (8:45PM) - I just heard that the meds seem to be working, and his BP was now 155/94. His wife said he is acting more like himself again also. MUCH BETTER!
Last night, I had a chance to repay that debt. Not to the same person, but to my current friend and EMS partner/boss. He told me over the weekend his pressure was high, and that he knew he had High Blood Pressure (HBP). How high? 170/120. Thats up there. Especially the diastolic (the lower number). I had sent him a text message yesterday, trying to get my gear back that I loaned him recently. It took a while, but I got a response, including that he had a nasty headache. My first thought was to ask him what his BP was. He hadn't taken it (His wife is an EMT also, but he apparently refused to let her take it), but he was bringing my gear over, and asked me to check it.
When he arrived, it was clear he wasn't doing well. I checked his BP. It was 190/122. Eek. That is getting atmospheric, folks. And at that pressure, a stroke is a good possibility. He was a bit altered, also. Not a lot, but clearly not himself. Had periods of blurring vision, and that headache.
I advised him to get to the ER NOW. He was dealing with uncontrolled hypertension, and after pleading with him for a few minutes, reminding him that he tell his patients the same thing (He agreed), and mentioning some other things, including the fact that he would more than likely have a stroke, he finally said he would go to the ER. He left for home, a few minutes from my house. In hindsight, I should not have let him drive home.
In the meantime, I finked on him to his wife. I sent her a text message with the BP's from both arms. She met him at the door with her cell phone in hand, "188/122??? You need to see your doctor TOMORROW!", is what she told him. His reply was, "Actually, I'd like you to take me to the ER". So, off they went. It took 3 different BP meds to get him out of the stratosphere, and some narcotics for the headache. They also did a head CT, to rule out a stroke, since he was symptomatic.
UPDATE (8:45PM) - I just heard that the meds seem to be working, and his BP was now 155/94. His wife said he is acting more like himself again also. MUCH BETTER!
Labels: EMS
posted by First On Scene EMS at Wednesday, November 14, 2007
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