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low blood pressure

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Q: What happens when a person has low blood pressure?
I have low blood pressure of 84/50 and i was wondering what happens?

A: Low BP is only ever a problem if it’s so low that it’s unable to push blood around the body. Providing you are not symptomatic with dizziness etc, and you are otherwise well, there is no need to worry.

Rarely low BP can be indicative of problems such as cardiac problems, addisions disease and diabetes.

Q: What could be the cause of low blood pressure, two blood transfusions?
My grandma is 72 years old. She is a diabetic, on blood thinners, and had heart surgery (replaced valve) 6 years ago. She had low blood pressure and had to have two blood tranfusions within the last three months. I’m thinking the doctors will recommend a bone marrow biopsy next. Does anyone have any experience with this type of thing? Any ideas as to what it could be?

A: Hi there !
Two Blood transfusions in the past 3 months .. ..
but these transfusions were given for low Blood Pressure or some other reason ? She has already undergone heat surgery and is on “blood thinners”…!
After surgery, the patient will be on some mediactions which can have its effects in different ways in different patients…!
Based on the facts given by you, its difficult to cast any opinion !
Since the doctors are planning for B.M biopsy, I presume that your grandma would have received Blood transfusions for some other reasons and not for low B.P…
why dont you have a frank and open discussion with your consultant ?
After all, he knows the best about his patient !
wishing your grandma a speedy recovery !

best wishes too !

Q: What can cause a person to swing from abnormally high blood pressure to abnormally low blood pressure?
The person in question is female, small in stature, and 78 years old with no known conditions other than osteoporosis. Recently she has been experiencing attacks of alternating hypertension and hypotension, and her doctor doesn’t have a clue, although he has confirmed that she has not yet had a stroke.

By high blood pressure I’m talking about 190/112 which triggers a trip to the emergency room, then the next day or later in the day it will be extremely low, below normal.

A: Swing of BP from high to low,one of important illness we should thinking about is Pheochromocytoma;this is a tumor of chromaffin cell that secrete catecholamines,causing hypertension;this may be paroxysmal(45 %),that mean the secretion is irregularly,when a lot of catecholamines go to blood steam the BP will be very high when the secretion stop the BP will down to the level of before.As a 78 years old lady her BP could be in low side.Tell her doctor looking for this illness and do some blood and urine test to confirm the diagnosis.You mention about stroke,there are clinical data showed that if BP swing from high to low in first 24 hours of the stroke that means poor prognosis;die in 3 months.

Q: What can I do to combat low blood pressure besides drinking coffee?
I have low blood pressure and it leaves me feeling tired constantly even when I’m well rested. Coffee seems to wake me up for like 20 minutes and then I feel even more tired than before I drank it.

A: Are you absolutely sure you do have low blood pressure?
There are other reasons for feeling tired, you need to get a firm diagnosis from your doctor.
Re hypotension…
In some European countries doctors used powerful drugs to treat the symptoms of hypotension but this approach never really took root in the USA or in the UK. Patients with hypotension symptoms often simply had to adapt their lives to try to cope with them. No one seemed able to give clear advice on how to raise BP levels in those who suffered from it.

There is general information and advice on the link, but you do need to know if low blood pressure (which is often considered an asset) is the cause of your lethargy.
It could be anaemia, stress, an autoimmune disease.
Please do talk to your doctor.

A few other reasons for feeling tired are on the second link

Q: What are the physical signs of low blood pressure?
I’m pregnant and had to be put on blood pressure meds a couple weeks ago because my BP was too high. It brought it down within a couple days to a good reading. I haven’t had it checked for almost two weeks (I go back to the doc this week for a BP check). The last couple days I’ve been feeling weak and tired. I’m not sick. I’m eating normally and drinking fluids, so I know I’m not dehydrated. I was wondering if maybe my blood pressure is starting to get too low.

A: Symptoms:

Dizziness or lightheadedness
Fainting (syncope)
Lack of concentration
Blurred vision
Nausea
Cold, clammy, pale skin
Rapid, shallow breathing
Fatigue
Depression
Thirst

Q: When should I worry about my Mom’s low blood pressure relative to needing a replacement pacemaker?
Her blood pressure has been fluctuating from 130/70 to 79/49. This is Saturday and she is scheduled to go to her Cardiologist on Monday but I’m worried about the low BP and wonder if she should be taken to the ER. Is this BP normal?

A: The criteria for needing a replacement pacemaker are many, but the major symptom is that her pulse rate is below 60/minute. Better not waste time and have it changed immediately, you will have to change it anyway, so the earlier the better. The BP is not appreciated at my end.

Q: How do I find out if my mother has high blood pressure or low blood pressure?
She’s lying in bed right now, unable to get up because if she does her head will spin and she will be so dizzy and nauseous that she will want to lie back down. She’s only 51 years old, and I’m quite worried about her.
These are her symptoms:
-dizziness
-nausea
-from time to time head hurts; it’s the kind of hurting like your skull’s too small and is tight on your brain
-a little congestion
-head spins

She says that it’s only in the head; nothing is wrong with her other parts. Please say if it is low blood pressure or high blood pressure. IF YOU DON’T KNOW, DON’T SAY ANYTHING. I DON’T WANT MY MOTHER TO SUFFER BECAUSE SOMEONE GUESSED.
Only people who know what they’re talking about answer, PLEASE. Thank you very much
Yes she smiles plenty and when she speaks she sounds like she has a cold or she had a bad night =)
Yes she smiles plenty and when she speaks she sounds like she has a cold or she had a bad night =)
P.S. She’s walking around now and making tea. Her smile is crooked but she said it’s always been crooked, and she’s not weak, but her heart is beating rapidly.

A: I’d consider calling the hospital…it’s possible that it could be either, but I’d err on the side of caution and say high blood pressure. If that’s the case, could she be slurring her speach? get her to smile and make sure that it’s even on both sides (if one side is not smiling, call an ambulance)…this will check if she’s having any signs of a stroke or TIA (aka mini-stroke)

the other possibility is that she could have a sinus infection (which is MUCH LESS serious)….if that is the case, she needs to see her doctor anyways as sinus infections can get worse and cause complications. I won’t go into them as they may scare the poopy out of you :) But if it is a sinus infection (which probably it is) then it is easily treatable with antibiotics.

But seriously, check the smiling, check her strenght in both hands (get her to squeeze your index fingers), listen to her speech and call the hospital if you’re in doubt…call the ER if you have to.

Merlin the Cat

Q: What is the difference between high and low blood pressure and high and low blood sugar?
I’m asking bc right now I’m feeling shaky, light headed…. I just don’t feel right, it’s hard to explain what I’m feeli.
I remember before someone told this is probably high (or low) blood pressure… or maybe they said blood sugar…. I can’t remember now.

I’m really not feeling well and am wondering if there is something I can do to fix this feeling.

A: It is unlikely that you are experiencing high blood pressure or hypertension because most people experience headache, nausea, or visual disturbances. Hypertension is a condition in which a person has a reading of 140/100 mm Hg on a regular basis.

It is more likely that you have low blood pressure or hypotension. Dizziness or lightheadedness are common symptoms are not to be taken lightly as they could be a sign of pregnancy, hormone problems, or over exhaustion. Sudden drops in blood pressure can be life threatening as they can be caused by blood loss, dehydration, infection, or a reaction to a medication. If you’re lightneadedness persists, seek immediate medical attention.

Shaking and light headedness can also be associated with high or low blood sugar. Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hypoglycemia (low blood pressure) can be a condition leading to diabetes.

I would try to drink something with a little bit of sugar like Gatorade and eat some carbs like a sandwich and see how you feel. Also, try to get some rest. If you don’t experience any change, go see your doctor or the emergency room to be safe. You could just be tired, hungry, or dehydrated, but these are symptoms of serious conditions, and what you don’t know could affect your health.

Q: Does anyone know of a healthy way to raise low blood pressure?
My blood pressure is too low and I get head spins when I get up too quickly. Does anyone know of a HEALTHY way to raise blood pressure?

A: As a nurse we see this problem a lot. The best, easiest, and safest method is to drink at LEAST 64 ounces of water a day. Usually when patients come in we give I.V. fluids which also contain small amounts of saline (salt mixture), increasing your salt if okay but only in real small amounts. Good luck.

Q: Does low blood pressure make mountain climbing more difficult?
I have low blood pressure and am prone to getting light-headed. I’d like to try mountain climbing and am aware that the thin air at high altitudes can cause spaciness. I’m wondering if low blood pressure and high altitude can interact with or compound each other, and if those with low blood pressure are more adversely affected by high altitudes. Thanks!

A: I had very low blood pressure when I was younger and would often get light headed (I live at 5500ft) but never had any problems at altitiude – even at 14,000+ft. Some people are not affected much and others are – I don’t believe this has to do with altitude.

Not all climbing involves high altitudes – I would try hiking some smaller mountains first and see how you feel. You may have more normal blood pressure when you exhert yourself.

You could also just try rock climbing – which doesn’t always involve altitiude if you do climbs starting at lower elevations.

Good Luck

Q: What can be done to raise blood pressure/what are the causes of low blood pressure?
My nurse today checked my blood pressure and it was cosiderably low. Just below the average though, not servere! I would like to know, what can I do to perhaps raise it a bit (I feel tired all the time etc) and what are the causes of blood pressure (I could do the opposite of these causes to perhaps increase my blood pressure).
Help appreciated! thanks! : )

A: If the doctor wasn’t concerned then you shouldn’t worry about it. Some people, like myself, have low blood pressure. As far as being tired, talk to your doctor. It could be a number of things which doesn’t necessarily have to do with your blood pressure. Good Luck!

Q: What’s the best way to keep low blood pressure up?
I have two twin brothers, and just recently one of them found out either last year or some time this year that he has low blood pressure. Our father had a this same case, even before he was killed by some unknown killer. I love my brother and always worry about him, but it’s not easy to keep a watchful eye on him if his blood pressure gets too low and I don’t know how to help him get it back up. His girlfriend is even worried about him cause a friend of ours mentioned it to her. My other twin brother is also worried about him, and he isn’t sure what to do to help. Any advice or suggestions or anything in particular would be good. My bro’s just in his twenties and he’s got a long life ahead of him.

A: The easiest way is a pure form of salt such as REAL SALT as found in a health food store. Take at least 1/2 teaspoon daily. Just the opposite from having high blood pressure. I’m taking 3 teaspoons and an equal amount of vita c to fight lyme disease. Merlyn

Q: I have a low blood pressure and hard time breathing?
I haven’t been to the doctor but i have low blood pressure. Im very athletic but when i start physical activity i get really weak and almost fall over and feel like im gonna throw up. I have a hard time breathing and a deep cough. When i work out my veins should pop out but they don’t when i feel like this. Could i have heart problems?
Im 16 too so i hope its not too serious.

A: You need to see a doctor.
This is not normal to have a hard time breathing even during exercise.
It could be many things, but only a doctor can tell you what it is.
Make an appointment today before anything serious happens.

Q: What are the best foods to eat when you have low blood pressure?
I have really low blood pressure. I got it checked out at the doctor’s a little while ago because I would stand up at a normal pace and if I had ben sitting down for more than 5 minutes I’d get dizzy and lose my vision. I have an appointment for an echocardiologist to check this problem out (but it’s in November), but in the mean time I would like to know if there are certain healthy foods I can eat to make my blood pressure a bit higher. Thanks!

Oh, and if you don’t have a food suggestion, do you think it’s kind of self destructive of me to actually kind of want to pass out so I can get an earlier date for my doctor visit? I just hate waiting until marching band season is over to get this done because I’m scared I’ll pass out on the field during a show.

A: I don’t know about special food groups but a lack of salt or liquids can cause low blood pressure. Start with a salty meal in the morning and drink at least 3 litres a day (water, watered down juices, fruit teas). Avoid black tea, coffee and alcohol and have more small meals instead of three big ones a day.
Take cold showers or douse your feets and legs in cold water. Sleep with a raised upper body and keep moving during the day: Just wiggling(?) on your toes helps but jogging/swimming/cycling is better.

Q: What type of food should a pregnant woman with low blood pressure eat to help with dizziness?
my wife has low blood pressure which is causing dizziness and also faint. She’s pregnant and I am trying to find out how we can increase her bloody pressure by eating the right food, vitamis and anything which will help.

A: Proteins will help some by keeping her blood sugar level…however, I don’t know of any food that will raise her blood pressure. Maybe a reverse healthy diet that includes lots of sodium and such? :-P No, not really. What has her doctor suggested?

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