Low blood pessure-black outs?

Posted by Denise on May 25, 1999 at 11:23:05
I was wondering if low blood pressure can cause black outs. I have had four  episodes where I simply "blacked-out." Three of those episodes occured when I was in junior high (about five years ago) and teh fourth happened last week. i am light headed a lotof the time and have a near constant dull head ache. I was told a couple of years ago that I had a soft hear murmor and was given an EKG and echo. The cardiologist told me that it was an innocent flo murmor and not to worry. I am very concerned about these black outs... can you offer any advice? Or am I acting overly concerned?
Thank-you!
Denise

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD-APS on May 31, 1999 at 09:53:49
Dear Denise,
No you are not overreacting.  Since the heart murmur is likely completely unrelated to your black-outs (given the normal echocardiogram), that symptom needs to be investigated in an of itself.  Yes, black-outs can occur simply because the blood pressure is too low (the doctor or nurse will take your blood pressure lying down and standing up in the office.)  Multiple black outs that haven't killed you are unlikely to kill you, however they are still dangerous in that you could have one while driving or swimming, especially if you do not get any kind of warning that one is coming on.  Some tests that might help sort out the cause (i.e. other than a history and physical exam by the doctor) are a holter monitor, blood pressure checks in the lying down, sitting, and standing position, as well consideration of a tilt table study (possibly even an electrophysiology study, depending on what the history and holter monitor tell.)
I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for
general purposes only.  Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies.
Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please
call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at
www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the
cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your
cardiac problem.