Lowered BP

[lucy0206]

I have been walking 30 minutes each day (everyday rain or shine) and have put myself on a restricted diet (almost no meat except  fish) and keep close watch on fats. I have lost about 90 pounds. I have been doing this about a year now and my blood pressure has fallen way down.   Sometimes the bottom # is in low 50's and top 90-105.  I still am on metoprolol but have lowered the dose to half and it is still pretty low.  I am going to see PCP next week but just was a little scared of those low numbers...one time ithe diastolic was 48.  That bottom number has me really scared!

[lucy0206]

Gods's speed to you and your daughter in your efforts to get well.  I hope your daughter gets her transplant soon! Prayers to you both.

Lucy

[lucy0206]

Thanks of much for your responses...They have really helped

[grendslori]

One thing that people are usually not aware of ids that in order to stay hydrated, you need to do more than JUST drink fluids. That is only half of the picture; you need to eat protein along with the drinking because the protein is what actually keeps the fluid levels where they need to be. This is one reason people can drink and drink and still become dehydrated. The lower diastolic levels really aren't that bad. My daughter and I both are going to Cardiac Rehab and her diastolic readings can't even be heard "ending" so she would be reading a 'zero' level. Her transplant team says she can still exercise as long as she is feeling okay and she has a systolic reading.

[Flycaster305]

Your numbers are low, but not alarmingly so, especially since you aren't speaking about being light-headed, passing out, etc.  Cutting back of the BB's makes considerable sense, however.  I'm betting your lower BP is a reaction to losing weight, probably better metobolic control due to diet and exercise.  
Just a warning, mix in good fats such as avacado, walnuts, etc.  
Ed34 makes good sense when he suggests drinking a lot of water, it will definitely raise the Diastolic rate.  

[lucy0206]

thanks ed.  I will increase my fluid tntake during this time I am warting to see pcp next week.  Just took bp and it was 110/56.  thanks again

[ed34]

me again :)
Just as a guide, you should be drinking about 1.2 to 1.5 litres of fluid a day. Our bodies require another litre on top of this, but we get that from the food we eat. So with more exercise and maybe less volume of food, you are unknowingly dehydrating. It's just a thought for starters.

[ed34]

Sorry, misunderstood your last statement, but I get it now. Exercise will improve your circulatory system, but it shouldn't cause the drastic drop in diastolic pressure. If you see it go to 40, I would go to a Doctor asap.
Some clues for dehydration include dry mouth and lips, tiredness, passing urine much less (3 or 4 times a day) and the urine is usually more concentrated, a much darker yellow colour.

[ed34]

Your diet does look good, but something is obviously amiss here. After losing weight like that, you should feel energetic, not lethargic. As your blood diastolic is dropping but the systolic is still high, I have to wonder if you are getting a bit dehydrated. Are you drinking lots of fluids? Obviously our blood mainly consists of water, so when we dehydrate, the body cannot put reserved fluids into the blood to increase pressure.

[lucy0206]

Could the weight loss cause the drop in addition to the excercise?  Your answers have always been so helpful.

[lucy0206]

Hi ed34 -- You ae so kind to answer.  I include tuna, salmon, a chicken breast about once a month and eat broccoli, blueberries, oatmeal, some lean cuisine (vheck fat contents and sodium contents closely on these)  and yogurt twice a week.  I don't drink milk.  Lots of grapes and bananas as well.  I do have coffee with a tiny bit of creamer and sugar. i also take a multivitamin (centrum Silver) each day and fish oil.  .

[ed34]

Perhaps the diet you are on is causing deficiencies?