Symptoms Linked To Porphyria

Heart Palpitations

Heart palpitations are a common cardiovascular symptom associated with acute porphyria. These may include irregular or rapid heartbeats for no known reason. Palpitations can typically be felt by a patient while they're happening. Heart palpitations can be caused by a number of different conditions, porphyria being just one of them. The most common presentations are skipping heartbeats, fluttering in the heart, pounding in the chest, or a feeling the heart is 'flip-flopping.' Patients may feel palpitations in their neck and throat in addition to the chest. When palpitations aren't caused by a medical condition like porphyria, they're usually related to medications, stress, or exercise. If an individual experiences palpitations often, they should talk to a doctor to make sure they don't have a more serious cardiovascular or neurological issue at play.

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High Blood Pressure

Individuals with acute porphyria may experience high blood pressure. In cases involving acute intermittent porphyria, many patients don't develop high blood pressure until several years after the first symptoms occur. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is considered a complication of the disease. Another complication that may occur after living with the disease for years is kidney damage, which can lead to kidney failure. Patients may also be at an increased risk of developing liver cancer. Hypertension occurs when blood causes too much force against the walls of the arteries. The condition is common and doesn't always signify porphyria. In many cases, hypertension is caused by a narrowing in the arteries.

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