Low Blood Pressure - dizziness

About a month ago, I started having dizzy spells. I had my BP checked at work when I was dizzy and it was 90/50. Just prior to that my knee joints had started hurting when I sat down or climbed stairs, and also I had broken out in a rash on my trunk. My blood pressure continues to drop during the day (and probably night) and I know when it is dropping because I get dizzy. Just after a dizzy spell, I am extremely thirsty. I have been having it checked regularly at work (I work in a hospital) and it is usually around 100/80, but keeps dropping to 90 or even 80/50 in around there. My family doctor had ordered the regular blood tests (Cholestoral, Sugar, TSH, etc.), all of which came back within normal range. He has made me an appointment with an internal medicine specialist, but I have to wait until March 7!!

My questions are:

1. Do you think there is any immediate danger to this BP situation?

2. Do you think these symptoms (low BP/rash/sore knee joints) are related? And, if so, what might it be?

3. I also have PAC's, could these be causing the BP drops?

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

These fluctations in blood pressure may be related to what sounds like a potential viral illness and perhaps some dehydration associated with that.

If that is not the case and you are continuing to feel dizzy will need a full cardiovascular exam  including something called a tilt test if your lab work and examination do not point to obvious causes of low blood pressure.

this is not life threatening.  Just make sure you do not over exert yourself or dehydrate yourself.

[Cheryl]

I have some concerns regarding my 10 year old daughter.  About 4 years ago she starting experiencing heart palpatations.  These episodes occur every 5 to 6 months and don't normally happen with exercise.  When I first took this problem to my family physician, she felt it was probably just anxiety because my daughter has no other symptoms that would indicate a heart problem (she also shows no other signs of anxiety).  I requested a second opinion.  My daughter was seen by a peditrian who checked her eyes, nailbeds, listened to her heart and declared she was a normal healthy child.  About 2 years ago my daughter suffered a more severe episode.  Her pulse was bounding, the rate was 200+ (it was difficult to count), she was short of breath and said her heart hurt.  Beads of perspiration covered her upper lip and brow.  This continued for approximately 10 minutes at which time she fell into an exhausted sleep.  The following day she had her yearly routine visit with a dermatogist. My daughter has a blue/purplish birthmark that starts under her left breast and covers a large portion of her back.  I inquired if it was possible that the birthmark (because it is so vascular) be the underlying problem.  The dermatogist didn't think so, but didn't want to rule it out either.  My daughter was referred to a pediatric cartiologist.  He was not concerned with the birthmark.  An ECG was done and she wore a monitor for 24 hours.  She experience no rapid heart beat or discomfort during this time.  The cardiologist told me that he felt she probably has an extra electrode that occassionly kicks in and disrupt her normal heart rate.  It was explained that this problem is not normally treated with medication unless it distrupts ADL and also this is not uncommon in children and that she would probably out grow this in adolescence.  I was advised that when this happens to apply an ice cold cloth to her face, try and keep her calm, and to take her to an ER if the episode continues for more than thirty minutes. It has been a year and half since that visit and my daughter has had only 2 minor episodes.  Unfortunately it occurred again yesterday - bounding rapid heart rate (200+), shortness of breath, diaphoretic and this time she experienced blurred vision.  This continued for approximately 10 - 15 minutes.    

I'm afraid one day that I may be applying a cold cloth to my  daughter's face while I watch her die.  Are these episodes "common"?   I don't know of any other children who have them.  Should I be seeking yet another opinion?  Am I over reacting?

[FRAN]

i have had a pressing sensation about the size of a nickel above my heart last about 20secs/1 min.sometimes longer do you think this is angina?i have no other symptoms. i ask a nurse she says this is not angina. i do not know what angina feels like.i have had this for 1wk.i take atentol for pac/pvcs. the dr. said i have mild/mod.atrial/tricupid insufficiency.when i have the pressing sensation,i am sitting down doing nothing.i have noticed other times doing chores.i also take zocar.thank you, fran.

[Jennifer M]

why are these two questions posted as "follow-ups"?  They should be posted as new questions........please answer my original question separately from these two "follow-ups"

thanx

[chris]

My mother, who is 90, has extreme fluctuations in her blood pressure.  It shoots up to 166/80 early in the morning and then drops sometimes to 92/60 a few hours later.  Her normal blood pressure all her life has been low.  She can't seem to tolerate blood pressure medications in any dosage--it causes her blood pressure to drop extremely low.  She has had all sorts of tests for her high blood pressure with no causes found.  Are there any vitamin supplements or specific foods which could help regulate her blood pressure?  Is there something she should or shouldn't do first thing in the morning?  Something she should or shouldn't eat?  The only other medication she is on is synthroid.  She's not extremely overweight, doesn't drink or smoke.  Doesn't exercise regularly because of arthritis.  Eats a well-balanced diet.

[brian gibson]

i have recently had a valve put in my heart and a by pass.  since the operation my bp has been around 130/87. i monitor myself at home.lately i have had a loss of energy and dizziness. my bp has gone down to 114/75 then when i feeling better back to normal.is this unusual. with thanks b.gibson

[S. L.]

Hi, that is NOT such a low b/p, nor is it dropping much if 100/80 is your norm. It would be a very normal b/p if you are not very tall. B/p has a relationship to height. Also, it could be related to your thirst in that perhaps you are becoming dehydrated and THAT is causing your b/p to drop due to volume depletion. You ought to try to drink at least 8 or 10 glasses of water a day. There are many more causes of easy dehydration. When I have been dehydrated (a few times, and was hospitalized for it) I have a low b/p (80/35) and am not exactly dizzy, but lightheaded when standing up, and feel weak, almost limp. My normal b/p is 90/60, and am told this is normal, as I am 5'3".

It's not something to consider serious, but you might want to make sure you're not diabetic, since that can cause dizziness, low b/p and thirst (esp. if you start to become hypoglycemic at times). Next time you are getting dizzy, try drinking two big cups of water, and a couple T. sugar straight, and see if it helps.

[Jennifer M - to the Doctor]

What is a tilt test?

[Gary]

I was working out on the treadmill the other day (Mon 1/26) and I had to stop because of shortness of breath and weakness in my legs-I also felt a little disoriented. I was walking at 3.2 mph as I have been doing daily for the past 2 weeks. It has been 2 days now and my chest still hurts (tightness). I take Tenormin for migraines (.25 mg 2x daily). I have always had normal blood pressure around 110/70. I was wondering that since I started taking the Tenormin if my blood pressure is maybe too low. The last time I had it checked it was like 90/50 and I was only taking .25 mg tenormin 1 x daily at that time. Is there a potential danger of working out to increase my heart rate as the tenormin is obviously trying to slow it back down? I have never had chest pains in the past. Is there maybe something else wrong?

[Delana]

To Cheryl (Jan. 20)  I like your daughter had rapid heart beats 200+  for many years.  I was told 7 yrs ago it was from an extra electroid in my heart.  I opted to take medication at that time but this yr. I had to go ahead with an ablation procedure to correct it, because I had other complications and could no longer take my medication.  the ablation was so easy and very successful.  At least at this time we think it was, as you know these spells or tachacardia don't happen constantly.  I was told the danger was possibly blowing my bloodpressure or a stroke.  keep pressing for answers until you are satified.
Good Luck, DeLana

[lucy]

To Jennifer M, I am not a Dr but I have had the tilt table test and whilst I do not understand the exact physiological processes involved, I can relate my experience to you- it involves being strapped to a table which is then tilted to a certain angle causing blood to pool in your legs.  The purpose of the test is to determine if any episodes of syncope or pre-syncope may be caused by vasovagal attacks thus possibly ruling out arrythmogenic causes.  If during the test you black out or have pre-syncope- then is classed as a positive test-in my case I did not faint but had a substantial drop in blood pressure causing severe nausea.  All in all not a pleasant test but not a painful one and usually done pretty quickly, good luck!

[dominique]

I am 34 years old - for the last year and a half I have been suffering from dizzy spells - particularly when I lie down in bed on my left side - the room starts to spin. As soon as I turn over on to my right side it stops. Also I found out on the weekend that I seem to have low blood pressure (80/60). My friend told me that it might mean that I have a weak heart? Does anybody have any comments?

[jennifer]

I  am 5'5 and have always had normal blood pressure up until a couple years ago.  I was diagnosed with anxiety by a doctor around this time.  I am also very thin 110  pounds.   Could my weight affect my low blood pressure or is it a sign of a disease?

[Melanie Carey]

I started having chest pains one day while at work  then shortness of breath then dizzyness then passed out. Was sent to the hospital numerous test were done on my heart, lungs, head all test came back normal except my blood pressure keeps dropping in the low range for me . My normal pressure runs about 110/70
but lately when it drops it has got down to 85/35 and even lower
But the dr still has not found what is causing this. Please help me

[Janice....([e-mail])]

Hi Jennifer!  I was just reading your note of Jan 20 2000.  I read that you were having your appointment on March 20, and I am extremely interested in what the findings are. My Father has the exact symptoms as you right down to the rash.  Never have we ever put the two together...low bp and the rash. But that is right..he has low bp 80/50 during what we call his fainting spells.  he has sore knees off and on...and rash on his trunk. He has just had a knee replacement now...I sure hope it was not unnecessary...hmmm...makes me wonder now. I would be so greatful if you would share with us what the results of your tests were. Thank-you so much...as we are at wits ends....

[Eric Nakaguma]

My nieghbor just pulled out her lower back. It was when she was in the shower. It was bad enough that she went to the doctor who gave her some medication and told her to wait and see how she felt in about a week.

Her concern is during the routine examination, her blood pressure was extremly low. She ususally borders on high. I don't know the exact read, but she has been complaining of being tired and sluggish lately. What could be the cause?

[jan]

Hi for the last couple of months i have been having joint pains mostly in my wrists fingers ankles and hips are the worse places.
For the last couple of weeks it has got worse I also have a constant pain in the side of my temples and have periods of dizziness. My blood pressure used to be 125/80 for the last year it now ranges 80/55 or down to 70/45 when its this low I can barely walk straight without falling over and everything is usually spinning any ideas what could be going on.

[Cathy]

I'm having a low blood pressure problem too. But my pressure has always been low. Usually around 80/50, but sometimes as low was 75/45. I'm only 18, 5"4, 115 lbs. People tell me not to worry about it, but it's hard not to when you get dizzy everytime you stand up!

As well, my father has hypertension, so I'm always thinking that I shouldn't be trying to increase my blood pressure, as I'd rather have a low pressure than a high one!

However, it's reassuring to see that other people are having the same problems as me. So thank you everyone.

[Allycatzgm]

Hi panic attacks are exactly what your describing.  
Things like non organic packaged foods,  non organic meats, fast food, sugar, chocolate, caffeine,  processed drinks fruit juices and anything with added sugar all cause adrenal fatigue and eventually they malfunction.
Thus the adrenals flood the body with loads of adrenaline and boom a panic attack. Is like what you would feel if someone was trying to kill you and your fighting for you life. That's why is so horrifying and has to diagnose.
Please try this>>>>
ORGANIC FOODS ONLY!
PINK sea salt
WATER w LEMON
Lots of raw foods to build up her body and repair the adrenals.
Please look for a holistic clinic who can give you assistance in healing her issue. Pills and guessing doctors who don't look at nutrition for what ills the body is somewhat another risk to our children.
Eat organic it's priceless healthcare for is all