low blood pressure ESRD headaches

Had MRI/MRA  IMPRESSION  MILD ARTHOPY GREATER THAN PERSON OF THIS AGE,CHRONIC SMALL VESSEL ISCHEMIA. RIM CALICIFIED IN ANTERIOR ASPECT RIGHT PARASELLAR SPACE. RIM CALCFICATION MEASURES 6 mm   CONTINUE TO DO DIALYSIS 3  TIMES A WEEK HOWEVER PRIOR TO RENAL FALIURE BLOOD PRESSURE HAS ALWAYS BEEN HIGH190/100 and higher at times now i am experiening lowblood pressure past week and a half 80/49 pulse 90 -116  ANY THOUGHTS THANK YOU

[Bridget A. Hewitt, RN]

Hi and thanks for using the forum.

If I am reading your post correctly, it seems that you had high blood pressure prior to being diagnosed with renal failure and now that you do dialysis, your blood pressure is low and your heart rate slightly elevated.  If this is correct, then what you are experiencing makes sense.  Prior to your dialysis, your kidneys were not doing a good job of clearing out fluid and toxins from your body.   This causes your blood pressure to be elevated.  Dialysis does the job that your kidneys are not doing.  It removes fluid and toxins from your blood stream resulting in a lower blood pressure.  Our hearts normal response to a lower blood pressure is a faster heart rate.  

Now, your blood pressure is a little on the low side.  Usually, when you go for dialysis, your vital signs- heart rate, blood pressure, temperature and oxygen saturation are checked prior to starting.   If your blood pressure is low, usually what happens is the dialysis is adjusted to not take off so much fluid.  When you go for your dialysis appointment you should let the dialysis nurse know that your blood pressure has been running low and heart rate a little high.  

You don't mention if your are symptomatic with this low blood pressure, meaning you feel dizzy, nauseus, tired, etc.   If you do feel symptoms and they are very bothersome to you, you can call your doctor and let them know.  Also, be cautious when you are getting up from a seated/lying position as this can sometimes make you feel very dizzy when you have a low blood pressure and can cause you to fall.   When getting out of bed, sit up at the side of the bed with your feet touching the floor for a few minutes prior to standing.  This helps your body to accomodate for the change in position.  Then when you stand up, stand up tall with your head looking forward.  Don't start walking until you are sure that you feel steady on your feet.  These slower movements can help you avoid that dizzy feeling that low blood pressure can give you.  Good Luck.

Bridget