Low Blood Pressure

Does anyone here have hypotension, and if so, what kind of symptoms do you experience along with it? I believe my blood pressure has dropped a bit (it's always been low) and is causing the dizzy spells I sometimes get, both sitting down and standing up/walking. I've been healthier than usual recently, walking several miles a day on my treadmill, and eating very, very well. Can getting in better shape cause an already-low pressure to drop? My GP didn't seem too worried about it; she suggested that the spins and dizziness might be attributable to an inner ear problem. It's extremely disconcerting; I walk around at work and sometimes don't always feel "all there". This just seems odd to me, as I have been living healthier than I have in years! So what do we think?

4 Comments

Low BP

by chip - 2009-02-24 04:02:54

Hello – Sorry to hear that you’re having trouble with Low BP – It can be a real pain!

I’ve had a real problem with it for some time now. Mine has pretty much been controlled by two meds Fludrocortisone and Midodrine along with my knowing how to react to the feeling.

If you are lucky enough to get a warning that an episode is coming on – sit down no matter where you are. In some cases you’ll need to lie flat to get it to pass.

If it gets bothersome enough ask your doctor about the meds, they really do help once you get the dose adjusted.

The American Heart Association has a good deal of information on their site at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4749

Good luck and May God Bless

Get a BP wrist cuff

by BillMFl - 2009-02-24 07:02:22

If you don't already have one. They are easy to use and give you your pulse too. You didn't mention any actual BP numbers so I am guessing that you don't know for sure how low it is. Your symptoms could be due to something else (meds, inner ear, neuro, etc). Get an auto cuff and check your BP at different times of the day and also when you are symptomatic to be sure.

Vertigo/dizziness

by ElectricFrank - 2009-02-24 11:02:43

If you are having dizziness and the world spins it is very likely to be an inner ear issue. Low BP will not cause this type of symptom. Low BP can cause syncope or passing out, which has the sense that everything is going sparkly or black.

At times I go through having the dizzyness, spinning, type if I don't get enough liquids. For me the worse time is when I lie on a scooter to get under my truck to work on it. If I look up and to the right the whole world goes around. Having been a pilot I am used to things like that so just wait a moment for it to stop. Then when I stand up it happens again and have to be careful to have something to hang onto.

With all the experience us pacer user have had with passing out everyone jumps to that meaning when you say dizziness. I hate to think of how many are taking meds for passing out when they don't need it. One day I say up on the examining table at the doc's and had the world take a few turns. Before I left he handed me a prescription for my syncope. The weird part of it is that he is an ex-pilot, but missed it. When I explained that it is the same sensation as recovering from a spin in an airplane, he started laughing and canceled the prescription.

So is sounds like your doc has the right idea. Talk it over with him and give him a good description of what you are experiencing. You might try drink extra water if you tend to skip having it.

frank

Low BP and syncope

by Sandee - 2009-02-27 11:02:23

It sounds rough and I hope your GP will step up and help you sort it out. I'd ask for a full check up.

Syncope occurs upon standing and is a sudden drop in BP and heartrate. There is a dizzy sensation, neausea and if you progress enough you'll feel like you are "falling away" from where you are.

It can be bad if you fall down from it, or if it is like mine, but I won't go into that - Ha, ha.

Other things can do it too, like low blood sugar or dehydration, and the things mentioned above.

Take care of your self!

You know you're wired when...

The meaning of personal computer is taken a step further.

Member Quotes

A lot of people are and live normal lives with no problems whatsoever.