Does anyone know please?

Hi. Just to let you all know that I've just had my 24 hour blood pressure monitor test.......returned the monitor to the hospital this morning (UK). My EP wanted it done to investigate my dizziness on exertion problem which I've had since my ablation last July.

I had an exercise/treadmill test done in November which I failed as my systolic BP dropped (top number) middway in the test. The systolic BP is supposed to increase on exertion, not fall. When this happened in the test I was very dizzy.

I also had a Tilt Table Test last October which was normal.

My resting BP yesterday, just before they put the BP monitor on, was 105/57!!

During the test I had 4 episodes of dizziness on exertion & on each one, my systolic BP dropped again. I know this because you can see each reading on the monitor. It takes your BP every 30 minutes.

I won't know what the results mean until the end of next week!

For the 24 hours my diastolic BP (bottom number) was in the 50's, even on exertion. I know this is not normal.........& the 4 drops in systolic BP on exertion are not normal either. But at least it happened when I got my dizziness, so my EP can see that when I'm dizzy it happens because my systolic BP drops.

Question is.......why is my systolic BP dropping on exertion?

The BP nurse who did the test said it could be due to an autonomic problem.......but my EP will need to make the final diagnosis.

Does anyone know what all this means?

I've got an anxious wait for a week now to get a diagnosis. Hope they will be able to finally make a diagnosis, after having this problem since last July!

By the way,I haven't got a pacemaker (yet) & am not on any medication that would drop my BP.

Any ideas/thoughts please? Does anyone have the same BP problem?

To Pookie........is my BP problem something you have come across? You have given me lots of info before, please can you let me know if you have any thoughts on this. Thank you.

Best wishes to all
Janey

3 Comments

Thank You

by Janey L - 2011-01-28 03:01:11

Dear Pookie....thank you SO much for your reply. I will e-mail you with further info/questions. So relieved to know I'm not alone with this problem.

Dear Richan....thank you very much for your reply too. Can I please ask what the medication is like, any side effects? I've heard of Midodrine but don't know much about it. Does it cause fluid retention? How long have you had this problem with low BP? Thank you for all your help.

Best wishes
Janey

Me Too

by richan - 2011-01-28 09:01:06

Hi,
I was told that it is orthostatic hypotention and then, later, I was told it is vaso-vagal syncope.
Bottom line - I have low blood pressure. To help, I have to drink a lot of electrolytes before, during, and after working out. My cardiologist also has me taking Midodrine which helps keep my BP up. He also sugested that I have more salt in my diet!
This has helped. I get a "brown-out" once in a wnile. I haven't blacked out.
Hang in there.

Peace,
Richan

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Pookie - 2011-01-28 12:01:57

oh Janey.....I've been in your shoes. My blood pressure would drop with any exertion/activity/movement too. While I was on the treadmill, my blood pressure also dropped - it is meant to go UP when you exercise.

You mentioned Autonomic. I have Autonomic Neuropathy...go to www.mayoclinic.com and look it up. I also have Hypotension Intolerance which can also be found on that site. I mention that site because that is where I was finally diagnosed with both. I also have a flat heart rate...it won't go up every time I "exercise" (I don't exercise, but you know what I mean - like walking the dog, or vacuuming, anything that is continuous movement).

Have you ever had a MIBI test? Sometimes called a MUGA Scan? This test will show your cardio doc what your ejection fraction is. Mention it to him!!!

It's really late here and I gotta go, but email me at
pookiegoof@yahoo.ca if you have any more questions and tomorrow I will try and find all my documents (as we're in the middle of house renovations so gawd only knows where they are) and I will make sure between now & Sunday that I private message you ALL the information I can.

What you are going through sounds EXACTLY what I went through. It's very frustrating and worrisome, but please know that you will be okay. Make sure you drink plenty of water and check with your cardiologist if its OK for you to up your salt intake.

Just curious - do you have edema in your feet or legs?

My blood pressure today was 102/65 which is very good for me. Usually the top number is always under 100.

Try not to worry - I know, it's easy for me to say, but you will get your answers.

But please take the time and research Autonomic Neuropathy and it will make you feel a bit better.

Another test I just thought of that I had at the Mayo was called the sweat test....forget it's name but it starts with Thermo - something. I don't sweat over 25% of my body which is abnormal.

And I was seen by 2 Neurologists while at the Mayo, perhaps you might wanna keep that in the back of your mind for now or mention it to your doctor when you see him next.

Hold tight, you will be okay:)
Hugs,
Pookie

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