Blood Pressure Changes

[warbucks5]

I have noticed some unexpected changes in my blood pressure.  I'm a law enforcement officer, and I get my blood pressure checked once every three months or so as part of a physical fitness assesment.  A couple of years ago my blood pressure averaged 130/80.  in the past year or so, my diastolic has dropped to 65-70 for no apparent reason while the systolic has remained the same.  At my last physical exam, my EKG revealed some inverted t-waves.
I had a stress echo and a regular echo and the cardiologist said I was fine.
Lately I have felt light headed at times and I occasionally get tingling in my extremeties.
Any thoughts on what's going on here?

Thanks,

Eric

[vienna13]

Hi Barbarella , Blood pressure is a tricky thing. Once I was a big time bp taker:) 5 -10 times a day. Now I am normal.:) I had it all , from 180/130 to 110/80 even had low diastolic very occasionally, but most was much higher then it should.

Hope your husband will get the right dose this time, it seems he needs less.

.I didn’t need much adjustment, during the 4 years. I tried to get off from my 100 mg beta blocker few times ,was hoping to take only 50 mg, or 75 mg and when I did, wast enough,  I had to make a peace of  that : I need the 100 mg to keep it under 140/85

[Barbarella]

I totally agree with you that the new guidelines are insane, but that is what most doctors, not all, but almost all I saw go by.  I was thinking if warbucks systolic number would go up past 140 due to strong coffee or other ways to get the BP up then his doctor might get hyper and put him on BP meds if he is not on them yet.  If he is on them the doc could increase the dosage.  

My husband was put on BP meds because his steady BP was 135/75.  Yes, you read right the diastolic was only 75.  My husband then had to see a Cardiologist for another issue, and the Cardiologist also said that my husband needed to go on BP meds.  He did not take the BP pills, he already eats healthy and exercises, no junk food, there was no need to lower the BP naturally.  Well, in about two yrs his BP (no lifestyle changes) creeped up to around 150/75, the diastolic always stayed the same.  Another year later it was at 170 top # and now he IS taking the BP meds.  BTW, my husband is as calm as he can be also about health issues, he doesn't worry about anything, so his BP is not an anxiety/worry/stress issue.  He felt fine with a BP of 170, and now with the meds he is fatigue and tired, the BP meds were switched for the third time, lets hope that this time they will work for him.

[FLBrat]

V-never limit yourself.  One of my husband's supervisors is a woman.  He has a great amount of respect for her.  He has been a detective for the last 16 years.  He sees so much pain as his work is for crimes against persons.

Sorry Eric, dont mean to hijack your question...

[vienna13]

Thanks caregiver 222 for your compliment, if this is what you meant :)
If you thought that is easy to copy paste, that’s true too . :)
The Internet is great ,also the Google ‘free university’  but as we know lots of **** published, must select.  Like this above I copy pasted, tells few times as an important note:” IF your Doctor agrees."
Also we need good doctors who we can trust . Who knowledgeable and cares. Who doesn’t just fallow guidelines but treat individuals . I am lucky to have one.  

Barbarella  I would argue with the new recommendation ;  120-140 is  considered pre-hypertension.  I think those are  the most normal numbers one can have.
In my opinion it is only an’ a** cover’. Reason? Soo many people on Beta blockers and on other medications that lower blood pressure, not all those whom taking them has hbp on the first place, but they need those pills to treat other conditions, heart failure etc. now their bp dropped big time, what to do? Altering the new guide lines to it was the answer.  It is common sense this is at least a part of the  reason of the new recommendation that conceder lower is better.

I've 'seen' (on other boards )many people weak and no energy, complaining on Coreg, blood pressure way down. I had high blood pressure to begin with. For me 120-140 systolic feels very normal , if 110 or less I feel weak.

This is why I said in my first post to warbuks I think : he could benefit from good strong coffees, at least this is what I would do. :),but we are all different,  takes time to find what is working for us the best.

Brat I  wanted to be a detective…if I just was a man…:)

[FLBrat]

Thanks for the career choice.  We always need good people to protect and serve.  My husband is retiring at the end of Nov with 27 yrs of law enforcement.  He has only had one slight heart attack and enjoys high blood pressure from that lovely career.

Drop in diastolic pressure can come about from body systems other than the cardiac system.  You could have an endocrine problem, or perhaps you are taking medication, something like Viagra, (Viagra plus alcohol especially) which can cause this problem.  Anemia could also make the diastolic drop.  Are you eating right.  Pregnancy could affect it too, but since your name is Eric, I think we can safely rule that out.  Good luck in working with your doctor to determine the best course for your health.

[Barbarella]

Since only warbucks "diastolic" BP dropped, but the systolic stayed the same at 130 wouldn't recommendations to bring the BP up also bring up the top number?  Especially now a days where a top # of 120-140 is considered pre-hypertensive, and his is already at 130.

[caregiver222]

A very good post Vienna13.        :)

[vienna13]

http://au.health.yahoo.com/041101/25/1u7g.html?r=967507405


The following tips can help reduce the symptoms of Low Blood Pressure. Always consult your Doctor to identify and treat the underlying cause.


- When rising, move from a lying to a sitting position. Breathe deeply and wiggle the legs and feet to improve circulation. Wait a few moments before standing.
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water or fluids per day.
- Check your medications with your Pharmacist to make sure they are not the cause.
- Increase your salt intake IF your Doctor has agreed to this.
- Drink a caffeinated beverage (tea or coffee) with meals IF your Doctor agrees.
- Reduce or eliminate alcohol altogether, especially if you take medications for high blood pressure.
- Elevate the head of your bed a few inches or sleep on several pillows to reduce the effect of gravity.
- To avoid postprandial (after eating) hypotension, eat smaller, more frequent meals and rest after eating. Reduce the amount of carbohydrates in the meal.
- Use support stockings, which help return blood to the upper body.

Health care
As with all conditions your Doctor should be consulted to diagnose and treat this condition. Ask your Doctor about the latest advice on this ailment. Your Doctor will check your blood pressure using a blood pressure monitor, first while you are lying down, then while you are standing. Blood tests may be taken to check your general health and nutritional status. Medication may be required.

Diet tips
1) Reducing carbohydrates may help prevent postprandial (after eating) Hypotension. Limit the intake of bread, potatoes, pasta and rice.
2) Caffeine drinks (tea or coffee) with meals may help prevent postprandial (after eating) hypotension, by constricting the arteries and raising blood pressure. Consult your Doctor before increasing caffeine intake as this may be unhealthy for some people.
3) Increasing sodium (salt) intake may help prevent postural Hypotension. Consult your Doctor before increasing salt intake, as this may be unhealthy for some people.
4) Alcohol tends to increase the severity of low blood pressure, even at moderate levels. People with Low Blood Pressure should avoid alcohol.
5) Drink at least 8 glasses of fluid per day (not counting caffeinated drinks). High fluid intake can increase blood volume and help prevent Low Blood Pressure.

Vits/mins/herbs
Nutritional supplements may only be beneficial if the dietary vitamin intake is inadequate. Consult your Doctor before commencing supplements, as some may have interactions with other medications.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency has been associated with Low Blood Pressure.
- Butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus) may help prevent Low Blood Pressure by constricting the veins and improving blood flow back to the heart.
- Liquorice herb may help prevent low blood pressure.
- Guar gum can slow down glucose absorption and reduce the incidence of postprandial (after eating) Hypotension.

[Sarob]

Similar problem here, I find adding salt to the diet (and fluids) alleviates the problem considerably. Mine is caused by a medication. I also get real tired/weak after eating (postprandiol hypotension).

[vienna13]

I have high blood pressure, but if I had low  blood pressure I sure would drink coffee that I can not do anymore. Well of course there are always medications, but I am a bigger fan of natural ways.

I would look in to the wonderful world of CAFFEE and would pick up the best coffee, real and strong, not some watery ugly, big that you can get in all corner stores in paper cup, but would do a habit of visiting little coffee shops where they making coffee with espresso machine and serving it in original coffee glass.....small and strong. All that is in the past for me….
  
Even the smell of it wonderful..:)

Good luck to you Eric!