Can preparation for a colonoscopy cause high blood pressure?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Can preparation for a colonoscopy cause high blood pressure?
Preparations for colonoscopy do not necessarily cause high blood pressure or affect your heart rate. The most common preparation starts with dietary changes.
However, studies have indicated that bowel preps for colonoscopy can either cause high blood pressure or low blood pressure in some individuals.
These people are usually associated with other comorbidities like renal insufficiency, hypertension, old age, etc. If we talk about a normal and healthy individual, there isn’t any prominent effect on blood pressure to talk about.
The main goal of colonoscopy preparation is to clean out the colon so that the doctor can get a clear view of the intestinal lining. This is usually done by consuming a prescribed bowel-cleansing solution, which may be in the form of a liquid or pills. The solution helps to flush out the stool from the colon. (1,2)
Before the colonoscopy, you may be asked to follow specific dietary restrictions. This often includes avoiding solid foods and consuming only clear liquids, such as water, broth, clear juices, and gelatin. It is important to follow these instructions carefully to ensure effective bowel cleansing.
Factors that may contribute to temporary blood pressure changes during colonoscopy preparations
Some factors may affect your blood pressure during colonoscopy preparations, including: (3)
Fluid and electrolyte imbalance
The preparation process for a colonoscopy often involves consuming a significant amount of laxatives or bowel-cleansing agents. These substances can cause fluid loss and electrolyte imbalances in the body, which can affect blood pressure regulation.
Dehydration
The colonoscopy preparation may require fasting or limiting fluid intake for a certain period. This can lead to temporary dehydration, which can potentially impact blood pressure levels.
Stress and anxiety
Many individuals may experience stress or anxiety before undergoing a colonoscopy. These emotional factors can trigger temporary increases in blood pressure.
Medications
Certain medications used during the preparation process or taken regularly by the individual may interact with blood pressure regulation mechanisms, leading to temporary changes in blood pressure.
Vasovagal response
Some people may have a vasovagal response, which is a reflex response of the nervous system that can cause a temporary drop in blood pressure. This response can be triggered by various factors, including anxiety, pain, or the sight of blood.
What to do if your blood pressure is going too high before a colonoscopy?
If you think your BP is going high because of the preps, discuss it with your healthcare provider. A colonoscopy is often delayed when your blood pressure is too high before the procedure.
People who have been taking antihypertensives may suffer from low blood pressure during the prep for a colonoscopy. The best thing is to follow your doctor’s directions as he or she will guide you throughout the entire process.
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References
1.-
Parekh PJ, Oldfield EC 4th, Johnson DA. Bowel preparation for colonoscopy: what is best and necessary for quality? Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2019 Jan;35(1):51-57. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0000000000000494. PMID: 30489414. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30489414/
2.-
Millien VO, Mansour NM. Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy in 2020: A Look at the Past, Present, and Future. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2020 May 6;22(6):28. doi: 10.1007/s11894-020-00764-4. PMID: 32377915. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32377915/
3.-
Patel N, Kashyap S, Mori A. Bowel Preparation. 2023 Apr 17. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30570989. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535368
