Polycythemia (high hemoglobin/hematocrit)
Could be primary polycythemia vera (a bone marrow disorder)
Or secondary polycythemia due to chronic hypoxia (smoking, lung disease, sleep apnea, living at high altitude).
Can cause thick blood → high risk of clot, stroke, heart attack.
2. Severe Hypertension (BP 196 mmHg)
Dangerous level, increases risk of stroke, brain hemorrhage,
kidney damage, heart failure.
Needs urgent medical control.
3. Fever may be incidental, or could indicate an infection on top of this.
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✅ Immediate Steps
This is a medical emergency. He should go to the hospital immediately (preferably ER).
Needs urgent BP control with antihypertensives (under supervision).
If confirmed polycythemia vera, treatment may include:
Phlebotomy (blood removal) to reduce hemoglobin/hematocrit.
Hydroxyurea or other cytoreductive therapy (in primary cases).
Aspirin (low dose) may be advised to reduce clot risk.
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🔬 Required Tests
CBC with hematocrit
Arterial oxygen saturation, chest X-ray (to rule out lung-related secondary cause)
Erythropoietin (EPO) level
JAK2 mutation test (confirms polycythemia vera)
Renal &
liver function tests
Sleep study (if suspected sleep apnea)
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🚨 Red Flags
Severe headache, dizziness
Blurred vision
Chest pain, shortness of breath
Weakness, numbness (stroke signs)
If any of these occur → rush to ER immediately.
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👉 In summary: Hemoglobin 20.3 + BP 196 at age 25 is very serious.
The patient must stop gym/exercise, avoid dehydration, avoid smoking/alcohol, and get urgent admission for evaluation + BP control + management of polycythemia.
Next Steps
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