afib related to drop in blood pressure

[Tux18]

last week I had an extreme drop in blood pressure 87/50 and was unable to stand up or even sit up. Was taken to the hospital. Diagnosed with pneumonia and told that infection can sometimes cause drop in blood pressure particularly because of my a fib. It seems that because the lungs are so closely associated with the heart this can happen. After receiving fluids, my heart rate returned to normal, was kept in the hospital for three days on antibiotic. I am very interested to know if anyone else has had anything similar happened to them, and it be attributed to atrial fibrillation?

[john-boy-92]

I've had what was wrongly diagnosed as community aquired pnuemoni, but was actualy pulmonary toxicity. I've had low blood pressure sufficient to give severe vertigo sufficient to be admitted to A&E.

[Tux18 in reply to john-boy-92]

Thank you for your reply and info.

[BobD Volunteer]

Funnily enough I had a funny turn yesterday . Felt sweaty and a bit discombobulated . Eyes felt very pressured. Took BP and 88/55 and HR 60 which suggests I was running purely on pacemaker as that is default setting. Drank a couiple of litres of water over the next hour and all normal again in two hours. Dehydration is dangerous in this warm weather.

This morning all back to normal 123/78- 82bpm.

[Tux18 in reply to BobD]

thank you for sharing as this situation has been very perplexing and frightening to me. Sounds like your situation had to do with dehydration. And I wonder if mine also may have been related to lack of fluid When I asked the doctors why my blood pressure plummeted, they said it was because of infection and problem with the lungs which affected my heart. All I know is I want to prevent this happening again.

[BenHall1]

Hi there Tux,

Back in the day (January 2010) leading to my diagnosis of paroxysmal AF my initial symptoms were not in the least cardiac related. Actually, I felt as if I were going down with a dose of old fashioned 'flu. As the day wore on I clocked a fall in my blood pressure.

In those days my normal average BP was around 136/80. This day though my BP dropped dramatically over a period of 4 to 6 hours from around the 136/80 down to 76/50. I phoned my GP who got me to come and see him immediately and then got rid of me almost instantly to our local hospital where I was diagnosed with Atrial Flutter which after a further few hours in ER I then converted to full blown Atrial Fibrillation. I remained in the hospital cardiac unit for a further 5 days whilst all manner of tests were carried out and I was then started on medication.

The rest is history.

John

[Tux18 in reply to BenHall1]

Thank you John for your reply. Interesting and it seems your drop in BP was related to AFIB. As I said the doctor at hospitals thought there was a relationship in my lungs not being as efficient therefore causing heart to have drop in BP. Our bodies ae so complicated.

[bassets]

please take things very slowly and rest. Let us know how you go on. Best wishes x

[Tux18 in reply to bassets]

Thank you bassets, my strength and stamina are keeping from moving too fast. Such things are so perplexing and surprising. It's hard for me to stop and rest but it's a must I'm sure. Kind of you to take time to reply.

[bassets]

You're v very welcome . From experience, please allow yourself time to recover x