Weak Pulse and Low Blood Pressure

[rossi]

Good morning,

I'm 54 (male) on metoprolol for afib.

1) Sometimes my pulse is so weak, I can't feel it on my wrist. Should I be concerned?

2) My low blood pressure is consistently in the 100's/60s-70s range which I surmise from this forum is from the medication. Sometimes I feel light-headed and a little dizzy when I make a sudden turn with the head - this is due to the low bp, right?

3) Is there anything I can do to increase my bp without taking another medication?

4) If I'm exercising and I feel an afib/irregular pulse(heart beat) copming on, should I stop?

Many thanks.

R.

[hbp702]

Just hope you don't pass out and have an incompetent person try to perform CPR on you.

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

Rossi,

Thank you for the post.

(1) Only if you are having symptoms in that arm, such as weakness, coolness, or tingling.

(2) Perhaps.  Other potential conditions that could cause this dizziness include carotid sinus syndrome, Meniere's disease, and benign positional vertigo.

(3) Gaining weight, drinking beer, and smoking would increase your blood pressure.  But the fix would be worse than the problem.

(4) Yes -- at least until you have this evaluated by your doctor.  Consider having a symptom-limited stress test to see if this brings on afib or the symptom you feel when exercising.

Hope that helps.