Hypotension

[Aleks]

I am latex allergic and a few days ago happened to come into contact with powdered latex from the use of powdered medical gloves.  I experienced a facial flush and red palms but no usual asthma (perhaps powdered latex dose was not high enough to trigger this or/and I'm now on preventor medications which may have prevented the asthma).  These symptoms settled down within about half an hour after being away from the premises.  However when I got home about 1-2 hrs later I felt tired and sat down.  I measured my BP and this was 103/51 and the next reading was 119/53.  My BP is usually around 110/70 and so I think this is pretty low for me. BP did pick up later, mainly I suspect as a result of my own adrenaline surge when I saw the BP readings. Do you think this drop in BP could be related to the exposure to latex that I had experienced earlier in the afternoon and, although my initial allergic symptoms were not that bad, would it have been advisable to go to ER or what course of action should I have taken?  (I have two epi-pens but am reluctant to inject if symptoms are not that severe)

Thanks

Aleks

[sue]

i have had a sudden drop of blood pressure - this morning 95/62- sometimes 91/60.  normally i have a blood pressure in the 120's/70's range.  i have dark circles under my eyes, and my ears feel like they are filling up with fluid.  i feel like my veins in my ankles, left hand, left wrist, and left arm are blocked - they feel very werid.  the artery on the right side of my neck hurts and i'm not myself.  this has been going on for a couple of months.   I've been off balance - on and off for 3 months.  normally, i'm very healthy.  i've been to my doctor, but she says my blood pressure is ok. she's checked it at 108/72 etc...  

i don't think she knows what to do.  any advice at what kind of specialist i might want to see? When i feel this way, i drink gatorade. is that an ok thing to do to help with this problem?

[sue]

i have had a sudden drop of blood pressure - this morning 95/62- sometimes 91/60.  normally i have a blood pressure in the 120's/70's range.  i have dark circles under my eyes, and my ears feel like they are filling up with fluid.  i feel like my veins in my ankles, left hand, left wrist, and left arm are blocked - they feel very werid.  the artery on the right side of my neck hurts and i'm not myself.  this has been going on for a couple of months.   I've been off balance - on and off for 3 months.  normally, i'm very healthy.  i've been to my doctor, but she says my blood pressure is ok. she's checked it at 108/72 etc...  

i don't think she knows what to do.  any advice at what kind of specialist i might want to see? When i feel this way, i drink gatorade. is that an ok thing to do to help with this problem?

[carl armour]

I am taking norvasc and my avapro. I am 62, weigh 202 pounds and I probably get more exercise than most people my age. My blood pressure is in the normal range. However, my heart rate gets down to the 50s. Prior to being on the medications my heart rate ranged from the mid 60s to the mid 70s. My blood potassium level is near the low value. I also have mild obstructive sleep apnea. Should I see about changing my mediations?

[Shannon to C. Johnson]

Hi -- I had a PFO repaired at age 44 (it went undiagnosed until I was having a mitral valve repair last year).  In researching the topic afterwards, I found there are a couple of schools of thought.  

1.  If the PFO is small and has caused no problems (like stroke), it is considered safe to leave it alone and treat with aspirin to avoid clots.

2.  If a stroke or other problem has occurred, many doctors feel the PFO should be closed via open heart surgery.  I have a friend who was in this exact situation last summer, had the PFO closed and has done well since.

3.  There is another procedure now being done, which is called "clamshell closure," using a new device that is placed via catheter.  This avoids the invasiveness of open heart surgery.

I would suggest that you talk with more than one cardiologist and/or surgeon.  You may get conflicting answers, but the decision to fix it or not is really the patient's.  It's a scary process, but it's not as awful as you might think.  The recovery was a long one for me, but others have reported feeling pretty darn good after six to eight weeks.  My recovery took more like four months before I returned to work.  (I also had some other complications, like sternal wires breaking open and weird rhythms that needed to be controlled).

Anyway, feel free to e-mail me directly (***@****) if you have more questions.

Take care,

Shannon

[C. JOHNSONI AM LOOKING FOR AN]

I AM LOOKING FOR AN UPDATE ON THD CURRENT MANAGEMENT OF PATENT FORAMEN OVALE WHICH HAS INCREASED TO A VERY LARGE SIZE IN A 48 YEAR OLD WOMAN WHO WAS DIAGNOSED IN CHILDHOOD BUT WAS LOST TO FOLLOWUP UNTIL SHE BECAME 46 YEARS OLD.

[C]

I had a mastectomy, with suibsequent chemo and radiation, the latter of which concuded this past Christmas.  I am now on Tamoxifen.  I am generally quite well, though my hemoglobin is low.  Yesterday in a drugstore blood pressure measuring machine for public use, I found my blood pressurer registering 120 (d) over 56 (s).  My blood pressure has always been low (that of a 17-year old, my doctors always said), but is this not abnormally low?  I am 67.

[Resting heart rate and potassium]

My mum is 65 and was diagnosed earlier to lack potassium.  Her resting heart rate could be as high as 95 (usually in the evening), could this be related to the low potassium level?

My mum is also taking (for her hypertension) a combination of losartan potassium, a type of Angiotensin II receptor blocker, and amiloretic, a potassium sparing diuretic, would this likely lead to too high potassium i.e. hyperkalemia?  Would indapamide be a better choice?

This forum is great but I can never seem to initiate a thread because the quota is always full for the day when I click on post.  Hence I used a fake name just to catch attention.  My real name is Philip.  Thanks.

[John Carfi]

Hi, Latley my Heart has been skipping beats-It may last 5 hours then go away for a day then back again-Any Idea what it may be-Thanks,John

[Donnie D. Newfoundland, Canada(MV repla]

Since October/99 I've been searching the www for information, suggestions, Q & A's and medical advice as it relates to MV replacement and possible complications relating to same.( I am doing this for my wife's benefit as she was determined to need MV replacement in Oct./99).

For those of you who have stumbled onto this site I want you to know that no better site exists.

On behalf of my wife and all others who are in need of information and answers, I would like to say THANK YOU to all those involved in the creation of this web site....especially the Doctor(s), the funding people, and the participants.

Donnie D.  blitten.***@****

[P2K]

go to <a href="http://beseen4.looksmart.com/boardroom/x/36403">http://beseen4.looksmart.com/boardroom/x/36403</a>

[melody]

CONFIRMATION

[melody]

I HAVE BEEN TOLD PALPITATION.FOR THE LAST WEEK
THIS HAS BOTHER ME MORE THAN USUAL. COULD YOU EXPLAIN TO ME EXACTLY WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO ME WITH THIS CONDITION.I HAVE BEEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DOCTORS BUT ALL I WAS TOLD WAS IT WASN'T MUCH THEY COULD DO FOR ME. FOR THE LAST WEEK I HAVE HAD CHEST PAIN,SHORT BREATHE, DIZZY,NAUSEA,VERY TIRED.

[Aleks]

Thank you for your reponse and I take on board the fact that shock results in an immediate severe drop in BP. Yes I have been diagnosed with latex allergy and my allergist has recommended I inject with epi if my airways close up or if I experience dizziness/syncope due to low blood pressure.  When to inject is not easy to judge, especially when latex avoidance is difficult (ubiquitous nature of latex) and when it is recommended that you should inject sooner rather than later if experiencing a severe reaction.

I am interested in finding out more about the desensitization protocols you mention, as I have been told that currently all we have is allergen avoidance. I would be grateful if you give me some more details about this (eg sites offering this programme etc)

Thanks once again!

Aleks

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear Aleks,

Hypotension (low blood pressure) can be a part of a severe allergic reaction but it is usually a much greater drop than what you experienced and usually occurs at the time of exposure.  This leads to a condition called 'anaphylatic shock'.  

103/50 is on the low side but is within the range of normal.  If you are not already seeing a board certified allergist I would recommend starting to go to one.  It is important to be tested for latex allergy if you have not already been tested and there are desensitization protocols available.