Low blood pressure symptoms post ablation

[Elli86]

Hi guys.

3 weeks tomorrow post ablation. I’ve mentioned in other posts that I had very low blood pressure problems during and immediately after ablation. I’m now experiencing similar symptoms if I do “too much”. Not having any problems walking as yet but just been playing with my boy for 10 minutes and the fatigue and nausea symptoms similar to those experienced in hospital, although not as extreme, come back. I have to lay down until it dissipates. This has happened 4/5 times since ablation also.

My question is could this be low blood pressure issues again? Due to my heart not being able to pump as efficiently at the moment? And if so does anyone know a good reliable at home blood pressure monitor I could buy to keep track of it.

Thanks guys

P.s please can we refrain from the “you shouldn’t be measuring this that and the other as you’ll become obsessive” comments. I’m not obsessive and it will not take over my life. I merely just want to keep on top of it and have as much data at hand for my recovery as possible. Thanks again

[Jalia]

You can't go wrong with Omron BP monitors. Got mine from Boots . ( I agree with your PS....we can be made to feel like errant children !!)

[Elli86 in reply to Jalia]

Thanks for reply jalia. I’ve been looking at the omron ones. Which one did you go for? How much was it? Do you know of any that’ll sink up to the Apple health app and record readings automatically?

In regards to the p.s yes we can be made to feel like that at times. I just thought it’d be easier to add that at the end to save both parties time.

[Jalia in reply to Elli86]

Mine was the Omron M3 Comfort model. So easy to fit the cuff on upper arm. Best one I've used. Looking online they're about the £40/50 range. Sorry I don't know anything the Apple business...prob would get a bit too techy for me 😀

[Elli86 in reply to Jalia]

Ok nice one jalia thanks. I’ll have a look at that one 👍

[Hidden]

Elli, if you really want to know your BP, than measure it at least 20 times a day, day after day. Why? Because BP changes during the day very much, depending on what you do and how you feel. So, in the course to "catch it", a large number of measurements is needed. My BP changes in the span 110/70 to 150/100, without any pattern, but pretty often is at the level of 140/90 - 150/100, so I consider it to be my "real BP".As for the measuring device, I bought one small, produced in Turkey, with guarantied 50.000 measurements. I believe that it has made until now at least 2 million measurements, me and my wife squeeze the soul out of it, and it still works. So, almost all are good enough...

As for the low BP, it is quite possible that your heart has some problems because of ablation. Just be patient and let it heal properly, without much physical exertion. Count with it, that it may last 6 months... Only after so much time, you will be able to know it the ablation was a success. Wishing you all the best!

[Elli86 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for info steelheart. I will bare it in mind for sure. Do you have any recommendations in particular or are you saying in your opinion they are all decent?

[Hidden in reply to Elli86]

I would not know the circumstances in UK market, but the device is long in production, so it is to be expected that they are all more or less OK. Not expensive at all, somewhere about 50 Eur.

[Elli86 in reply to Hidden]

Nice one steelheart. Thanks again for info 👍

[Mrsvemb]

I would definitely recommend Omron. I have a Boots monitor, that is made by Omron. It is clinically validated and also has irregular heartbeat detection. I have had it a few years, but I think they are about £80.

Very useful to have. I always take my BP if I am seeing the doctor (those were the days), because I have white coat syndrome. Also now in my area, if you haven’t got your own monitor, you have to go to the pharmacy to have it taken. GP’s are too busy🤣.

[Elli86 in reply to Mrsvemb]

Thanks for input mrsvemb. Another recommendation for omron so they will probably be top of the list if I go for one. They seem to be the most reccomended in Uk online as well so probably the safe bet. Not too Concerned about price just want something that’s been proven to do the job and be accurate.

That’s bloody ridiculous that you need to have your own monitor in your area. I’m not even sure what I would say if my doctor told me that but I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t be too pleasant 🤣 I get that their busy but that’s part of their bloody job. Doesn’t exactly take long either, they can do it while they sit and talk to you about your issues. Ridiculous!

[Mrsvemb in reply to Elli86]

Another joke in my area, is that it is very hard to get a face to face appointment with a GP. You have to tell the receptionist what it is for then a doctor decides if you need a telephone appointment. If during that appointment they decide that you need to be seen only then will it happen. Local pharmacy for BP checks and I did hear that NHS are paying them £45 for each one. I should send in my bill.

I had a GP telephone appointment booked and it didn’t happen. I called the surgery and then my GP called from a mobile phone. He had the cheek to say that he had tried to call but I don’t accept ‘ number withheld’. My answer to that was no and I won’t change it. If someone wants to speak to me then don’t hide behind number withheld.

He was obviously working from home.

[Elli86 in reply to Mrsvemb]

I’ve not had a face to face docs appointment since covid so not sure how that works. I’ll be honest I’m much happier if they phone me instead as I don’t have too faff about going there. Obviously if tests need doing etc then that’s not an option. They always call me on a withheld number as well. Not sure why that’s necessary but they do. Having to go to pharmacy to have a BP check is a joke though.

[Buffafly in reply to Elli86]

First get a face to face appointment and you’d be so grateful you wouldn’t dare be rude. I have had to be very ‘firm’ to get a ftf appt for my husband after weeks waiting, only then could the GP see how ill he looked and behaved 😕

[Elli86 in reply to Buffafly]

Yeah there are definitely cases where you need a face to face. Luckily I haven’t needed one as yet but I’m sure I will at some point. We changed docs a few years ago and to be fair too them they have been a lot better than previous ones (not much of a challenge though 😂). Getting appointments is still not the easiest of tasks and that’s before covid but I’m pretty sure that’s the case right across the Uk. Too many people and not enough doctors unfortunately. I think the whole healthcare system is outdated and flawed to be honest but what do I know.

[Diddyd]

I had this problem but it did resolve and it was useful to measure blood pressure. It could be because of dehydration. If you think it’s low try drinking plenty of water. That can help.

[Elli86 in reply to Diddyd]

Hi diddy. Thanks for response. How long did it take for yours to resolve itself? I’ve read about the dehydration but I don’t think that will be the issue for me personally as I already drink tons of water. Some people would probably say too much 🤣 i normally drink around 4.5/5 litres a day and have done for years. So I’m assuming it wouldn’t be dehydration in my case? When you checked your blood pressure during the sickness/fatigue, was it low?

[Diddyd in reply to Elli86]

It was about 4 weeks. It helped when I moved about more as BP was a bit higher. It was at its worse if I sat or laid down and I did quite a bit of that in the first four weeks!

[Elli86 in reply to Diddyd]

Oh right! Mine seems to be the opposite. If I sit/lay down I’m fine. Seem to be able to go for a walk as well but if I do anything that takes physical and a bit of mental energy as well it seems to tip me over the edge. Small bursts of energy seem to be a no no as well. Guess I probably just need to take things a little slower. Think I’ll end up getting a BP monitor anyway just so I can rule that out as and when needed

[Diddyd in reply to Elli86]

That sounds like a good idea. Often at checks with nurse/ GP they always ask what readings I get. If you don’t feel any better soon perhaps need to seek medical advice. Take care

[Sozo]

Hi Elli

I hope you’re still on the forum. I had my ablation five days ago. I too am running low blood pressure and a good 30 points up on my pulse rate. I have to sit a lot. Get tired easy and sometimes a bit queezy to my stomach. And I like you drink tons of water so I know it’s not dehydration. May I ask how you are doing now?