Which symptom is not typically expected in pheochromocytoma?

Which symptom is not typically expected in pheochromocytoma?

• A. Bradycardia
• B. Headache
• C. Sweating
• D. Hypertension

Answer: (A)

Pheochromocytoma causes a surge of catecholamines, leading to sympathetic overactivity. This typically presents with episodic hypertension, headaches, sweating, and tachycardia or palpitations due to increased heart rate and vasoconstriction. Bradycardia is not expected because the usual effect of excess catecholamines is to speed up the heart and raise blood pressure, not slow it down. So the symptom that wouldn’t fit the classic picture is bradycardia.

Pheochromocytoma causes a surge of catecholamines, leading to sympathetic overactivity. This typically presents with episodic hypertension, headaches, sweating, and tachycardia or palpitations due to increased heart rate and vasoconstriction. Bradycardia is not expected because the usual effect of excess catecholamines is to speed up the heart and raise blood pressure, not slow it down. So the symptom that wouldn’t fit the classic picture is bradycardia.