Questions posted in the Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Subject: Re: LOW BLOOD PRESSURE
Forum: The Heart Forum
Topic Area: Arrhythmia
Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on November 14, 1998 at 21:03:35:
In Reply to: LOW BLOOD PRESSURE posted by ROSA on November 14, 1998 at 00:08:20:



MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN GETTING DIZZY. HE HAS LOW BLOOD PRESSURE 100/75.
WE HAVE BEEN TO THE DOC. AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT SEEMS TO SHOW ON EKG. BUT SOMETIMES
HE AWAKENS WITH HEART PALPATAIONS, AND HAS A DIFICULT TIME BREATHING. HE HAS ALSO WORN
A MONITOR FOR A DAY, IN WHICH NOTHING SHOWED UP. HE IS SCARED MOSTLY BECAUSE
THEY CAN'T TELL HIM WHATS WRONG. HE WORRIES AND THEN IT SEEMS TO GET WORSE.
I AM WORRIED BECAUSE I KNOW HE HAS THESE RAPID HEART BEATS, AND SWEATS, BUT NOTHING
EVER SEEMS TO SHOW WHEN WE GO TO THE DOC. ARE WE WORRYING UNNECESSARILY?
MY HUSBAND IS 55 YEARS OLD. AND DOESN'T GO TO THE DOCTORS ON A REGULAR BASSIS.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPERTUNITY TO WRITE YOU.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Rosa

A blood pressure of 100/75 is not low, it is normal.

If he was wearing the monitor while he had the palpitations and nothing abnormal showed up, it argues against a cardiac basis for the palpitations. In other words, it is probably just anxiety. If he did not have his symptoms while wearing the monitor, the test was useless and the test ought to be repeated. At any rate, he should have a full evaluation by a cardiologist.

I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.

Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.

[The Heart Forum]      [The Heart Forum Archives]

[Todays Health]