bp reading.

[swansong75]

hi everyone. Afib now continuously for 7 weeks. Trying to check my bp with home monitor but the readings always seem very low, 92/65 type of thing. Is this a false reading can anyone tell me ? Thanks guys

[CDreamer]

Firstly it’s almost impossible to get a BP reading when in AF as your BP will fluctuate widely. If your monitor says it will detect AF then if you read the instructions it will give you a protocol for taking a BP when in AF ie: remain quietly seated in upright position for 10 mins. Take 3 readings and take the average of the 3 (most machines that have AF facility will do the average for you).

Secondly 92/65 is functional - as long as systolic is over 90 I wouldn’t worry.

Thirdly are you doing all you can to sustain your BP ie: drinking water frequently? Electrolyte intake? Very often BP dips because you are not properly hydrated or Electrolytes are low. Coconut water is good for both hydration & electrolytes.

Many people find increasing daily potassium in their diets and adding a small amount of salt helps maintain levels.

Avoid getting up quickly, especially when lying down - go to seated and allow your levels to adjust. When seated keep your legs raised - blood pools in the legs if you have consistently low BP so avoiding standing for any length of time is also important.

If you are very symptomatic with low BP ie: feeling as though you will pass out then see your GP or go to A&E. If you are on meds to lower BP and HR then speak to your GP about altering the dose.

Hope some of that helps.

[swansong75 in reply to CDreamer]

hi , thanks for that. I am on meds as I have slightly raised bp normally. I do everything I can to stay healthy but tend to be a worrier! Again, thanks for taking time to reply . Very helpful 👍

[jeanjeannie50]

I would feel odd if my systolic rate was that low. Wise words to you from CD, as she has said, drink water and hopefully it will raise your BP. I was told to do that once when in hospital. I also drink coconut water to raise my electrolytes.

Jean

[swansong75 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

hi, thank you for that. I’ll give the coconut water a try. Have a nice day 👍

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

First buy your monitor from a reputable chemist.

Take it to your medical centre and have your Dr's nurse to check it.

What meds are you on. Hve you been diagnosed with rapid or slow AF persistent?

cheri. JOY

[swansong75 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

hi, I’ve got a pharmacy recommended monitor. Afib is slow and I’m on 2.5 mg bisoprolol, 10mg statin, rivaroxaban, 20 mg felidopine . Thanks for the advice 👍

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to swansong75]

Hi

Regardless have the monitor checked.

Bisoprolol 2.5 would help from rhythmn much but BP helper.

It was CCB Diltiazem which dramatically brought down my heart rate.

You can cut the 2.5 in half. Haven't heard of the F..... one.

Take care, JOY. 74. (NZ)

[swansong75 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

thank you 👍

[LizLancashire]

I've just come out of a 40 hour afib episode - twice as long as anything I've experienced before and took my bp in the middle of it, a reading of 94/74. I'd stopped my blood pressure medication for two nights, advice given by A & E doctor previously because of increased dose of bisoprolol while in afib. I too drink coconut water and lie with feet up when resting. All back to normal now.

[Ppiman]

The evidence I’ve seen is that the best way to measure BP at home whileAF is in progress is with a traditional sphygmomanometer and stethoscope as the way the automatic ones work is defeated by AF.

Your comment is interesting, too, since an elderly friend, who has permanent AF also believes that he has low blood pressure. Maybe he’s not able to measure it accurately?

Steve

[swansong75 in reply to Ppiman]

could be mate, thank you for your information. Have a great day 👍

[Dollcollector]

My b.p. always goes very low when l am in afib and have tachycardia.

[Tomred]

HI, SOME NATURAPATHS RECOMMEND SALT WHEN BLOOD PRESSURE IS LOW, JUST A PINCH IN A GLASS OF WATER, I DONT THINK BP MONITORS KNOW WHATS GOING ON WHEN IN AFIB.

[harmosaxo]

That is normally what happened when you have AFIB. Blood pressure becomes low and heart rate increases and fluctuates a lot or irregular heartbeat. I experienced similar things as you do whenever I have AFIB. I use an Applewatch which can monitor AFIB. I noticed that in order for the Applewatch to flag it as AFIB, these 3 conditions must be met: 1) high heartbeat, 2) irregular heartbeat and 3) low blood pressure.

[swansong75 in reply to harmosaxo]

thank you, might invest in the watch

[kocoach]

My blood pressure was and frequently is around 90-116 sitting down and ER Drs. are not concerned, in fact their response was better that than high. No problems at all with it at this level. If you don't feel right then I would inform Dr. Good Luck and have a Blessed Day.

[Karendeena]

That's about what mine is most of the time and my GP and EP are not concerned about it as it doesn't give me any symptoms

[swansong75]

thank you 👍