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Can An Abdominal Binder Cause Increase In Blood Pressure?

I’m a 40 year old male and I had full abdominoplasty and an umbilical hernia repaired four weeks ago. Since the surgery my blood pressure has been too high. They kept me in the hospital a few days longer because it went up so high. They had a cardiologist see me and she prescribed blood pressure medication. It’s not getting much better so now I’m wondering if the compression from the abdominal binder can cause blood pressure to rise. Can abdominal compression cause an increase in blood pressure?

Doctor Answers 7

October 23rd, 2013

Abdominal Binder Cause Increase In Blood Pressure?

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Thank you for your question. It may cause a small change from the pressure or even from the pain it may cause. Talk with your cardiologist and your medication may need some adjustments to dial the correct dosage. I hope this helps.

Vivek Bansal, MD
March 22nd, 2013

Abdominal Binder Causing Increased Blood Pressure

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    Taking the binder off and then checking the blood pressure could determine if this has any relevance whatsoever.  It is probably a combination of unrecognized high blood pressure and possibly pain.  Hard to say, but your blood pressure needs to be controlled to prevent hematomas in the short term and for your health in the long term.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

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Kenneth B. Hughes, MD
February 26th, 2013

Compression garment and high blood pressure

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A compression garment should not be causing blood pressure evaluation.  You need to be worked-up for your high blood pressure.

Steven Wallach, MD
February 25th, 2013

Can An Abdominal Binder Cause Increase In Blood Pressure

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An abdominal binder does not usually cause an increase in blood pressure. You need a full workup for hypertension if your pressure remains high.

Thomas Guillot, MD
Baton Rouge Plastic Surgeon

February 24th, 2013

Abdominal Binder & Hypertension

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It is not likely that your hypertension is caused by the abdominal binder (although the binder could cause an increase in venous pressure in your lower extremities if applied too tightly).  Pain or more likely labile hypertension is responsible for the increased blood pressure.

John Whitt, MD (retired)
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

February 24th, 2013

Blood pressure with abdominal binder

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Many thanks for very rare question. Blood pressure do have a link with renal and adrenals ( kidney and the small organ siting above it) .Some pathology in these organs that are under compression after using abdominal binders can raise your blood pressure. you need more investigations to define the cause for such a changes and to find out if these organs are ok or they are having some pathology. Wish you good luck.

Ashok Govila, FRCS, MCh, MS
March 1st, 2013

Can An Abdominal Binder Cause Increase In Blood Pressure?

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This seems very unlikely. Pain is a more likely cause. You will need to see your cardiologist for further evaluation and for additional meds if the pressure remains elevated. 

All the best. 

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.