Hello forum members; I've had afib for close to 35 years now and it seems as I get older symptoms seem to be getting worse. This morning I went into afib and I did my usual chores then I took my blood pressure and it was 100/48. When I saw that it freaked me out BAD, so I called the VA nurse hotline and I told the nurse what it was and her response blew me away, she said "that's not too bad" and the NHS online blood pressure app. after entering my numbers said it was a "healthy reading. She then asked if I had any symptoms and I said no but I was in afib with HR 92, she then asked me if I wanted to go the ER until heart rate dropped and I told her NO, all they will do is monitor me for a couple of hours and then let me go home. My Question is this: has this happened to anyone else with low BP, I retook it while on the phone with nurse and it was 112/72, HR 117 or am I deteriorating? I have been on Amiodarone (200mg) once daily for about 5-6 years now and Lisinopril (2.5mg) twice daily plus other meds. I am 78 years young but feel like 200. These events are really taking it's toll on me as I am tired most of the time and stressed out nearly all day. Please any responses would be appreciated. Thank You All.
AFIB and BLOOD PRESSURE: Hello forum... - Atrial Fibrillati...
AFIB and BLOOD PRESSURE
Low BP is only an issue for sustained systolic under 90. I’ve lived with low BP all my life and for me anything of 100 or over used to be high!
There is nothing bad about a BP of 100/72 - if anything it would be considered a perfect reading BUT it maybe unusual for you if you are used to high BP and have had to take meds.
You also need to remember that when in AF your BP will be very variable and one reading doesn’t mean much. To get a representative BP you need to sit quietly for 10 mins then take 3 readings, the average of which would be representative. I’ve had BP jump from 80/40 - 150/80 within those 3 readings so my average would be around 108.
Hope that helps.
Thank You, I was just concerned when I first took it and it was 100/48.
I often get low readings like that, usually after lengthy exercise (like 30mile bike rides) and it causes no problems, usually revertsto normal next day. GP unconcerned.
I have only been on Amiodarone 200 Mg for about four months. Had to get off it as was having such sleepless nights and my brain felt like it had flashes as if I was going to black out. I thing it is the Amiodarone that could be making you feel that way. Just guessing
To improve your overall health, if you are a candidate for other antiarrhythmic drugs, making the switch from amiodarone to a less toxic (possibly dronedarone) drug might be worth a shot.
I've pleaded with my EP many times to take me of it but he keeps saying it's the last resort as I've been on Tikosyn (Dofetelide) for 25 years that worked great then all of a sudden it lost its effectiveness.
You mentioned you consulted an "NHS online blood pressure app".🤕🤔
However, at the risk of being seen as "out of touch" with NHS services available here in UK, can you please share with me the exact title of your NHS app. Thanks. I have already searched on your description above in the Google Playstore, but found nothing.
It says ; "NHS check your blood pressure reading", been using it for years.
If someone is in AF their blood pressure reading may not be reliable Most automatic BP monitors assume a steady pulse, so they can struggle to get an accurate reading when the heartbeat is irregular.
Yes a heart nurse told me this too. She suggest i took my pulse by hand. My GP used to take my BP using an old fashioned BP machine. She said that was more accurate. Shes retired now so dont know whether younger doctors are trained to use them.
I would love to take my B/P by hand but due to nerve damage to hands from Boxing my fingers are numb so no feeling.
That's heart rate fingers on pulse. 😊😊
That's kind of funny because I'm using the blood pressure monitor the VA hospital gave me to use instead of my Omron 10.
Sorry to hear you are having these problems, I can't advise on the drugs but is there any one else you can talk to about your concerns, I try not to get too stressed out by a fib,it's a scary beast at times but I try to do deep breathing and tell it to clear off , hope you are feeling better soon and can get some help of some kind,all the best
Thank You forthe Kind Words. I have the VA Hospital to contact as I live alone and have no relatives or friends I can rely on and loneliness can attack you severely. Have a Blessed Day.
Hi
108/60 was too low for me during the Day. Symptoms were on closing eyes my vision went 1/2 a vertigo. Picking up table tennis ball dizzy. Walking had to stop every 15 yds.
So I stopped the 2.5 Bisoprolol and 1/2ed it. Not much improvement so I stopped it.
It settled, much improved. No afternoon sleep needed.
You need your meds revisited. Its too low Day.
At night my normal 47avg bpm.
I take Diltiazem 120 CD mg daily early morning only. Now BP 120-135 /. 80s. H/Rate was 60s mow late 70s-80s.
Much better as symptoms habe vanished.
cheri JOY. 76. (NZ)
I'm glad you found out what was causing your B/P to drop like that. Best of Health to you.
Hi
My H/Rate dropped on BB Metopolol in 2009 too on 49.75.
The last session that I had with my H/Specialist I asked a question...
If my H/R gets too low what do I do.
He said drop the Bisoprolol.
But it was the BP that had dropped. But I knew his answer on other and BBs for me are more geared to vontrolling BP than heart rate. It had happened prior so gradually I dropped that.
Thank you, JOY
Kocoach. I take two prescripton meds; Metropolol and Diltiezem. I also take some herbs and vitamins, but I've been taking Hawthorne root 650mg once per day and my feelings are that my HR and BP are better due to the Hawthorne root which makes your heart beat stronger sorta like Digoxin. This keeps my HR higher, but I feel better and have not had any weakness or blacking out feelings. when I stopped for a bit, I did have some weakness and occasionally felt feignt. I'm 69.
Hi
Just guessing.
You take Metopolol for control of BP.
You take Diltiazem for control of your Heart Rate.
Sane as me. Rxceot not Metopolol. My specialist stated that Bisopolol was better for AFers.
Metopolol or other BBs do not control my H/Rate.
In fact CCB Diltiazem acts on both but more so controlling Heart Rate.
Its job is done throughout the day so as the GP says it is used up yo allow my nornally low 47avg bpm H/Rate at Night.
Or it is AI controlled !!! ref: Mr Bounce
cheri JOY. 76 (NZ)
On Amiodarone there are so many interactions with other meds and supplements that I have to be very careful and do as my EP instructs me to do. Thank You for your insights. Have a Great Day.
What you say is true of almost all medications and supplements. I understand fear of trying something new, especially something NOT prescribed, but if you do the research and read some more forums you may find that it is OK to try something elase, Perhaps for a day or 2 or 3. Hawthorne has been used as one of the primary heart medications in Europe in particular for hundreds of years.
You owe it to yourself to at least read about it and then ask your cariologidt/GP.
mountsinai.org/health-libra...
Hawthorn (Crataegus species) has been used to treat heart disease as far back as the 1st century. By the early 1800s, American doctors were using it to treat circulatory disorders and respiratory illnesses. Traditionally, the berries were used to treat heart problems ranging from irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, chest pain, hardening of the arteries, and heart failure. Today, the leaves and flowers are used medicinally. There is even research to suggest that hawthorn might be effective when used in the treatment of mild-to-moderate heart failure.
Medicinal Uses and Indications
Hawthorn is used to help protect against heart disease and help control high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Both animal and human studies suggest hawthorn increases coronary artery blood flow, improves circulation, and lowers blood pressure. It has also been used on the skin to treat boils and skin sores.
Heart failure
Hawthorn has been studied in people with heart failure (a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to other organs in the body). More studies are needed to understand how effective it may be. A number of studies conclude that hawthorn significantly improved heart function. Studies also suggest that the herb can enhance a person's ability to exercise following heart failure. Participants in studies have reported that hawthorn significantly improved symptoms of the disease (such as shortness of breath and fatigue). One study found that hawthorn extract (900 mg/day) taken for 2 months was as effective as low doses of captopril (a prescription heart medication) in improving symptoms of heart failure.
A large study found that a standardized hawthorn supplement was effective in 952 people with heart failure. The study compared conventional methods of treating heart failure (with different medications) with hawthorn alone and in addition to the drugs. After 2 years, the clinical symptoms of heart failure (palpitations, breathing problems, and fatigue) decreased significantly in people taking the hawthorn supplement. People taking hawthorn also took less medication for their condition.
Heart failure is a serious condition, and you should never try to self treat with hawthorn. Ask your doctor if hawthorn is right for you.
Chest pain (Angina)
Preliminary evidence suggests hawthorn may help combat chest pain (angina), which is caused by low blood flow to the heart. In one early study, 60 people with angina were given either 180 mg/day of hawthorn berry leaf flower extract or placebo for 3 weeks. Those who received hawthorn experienced improved blood flow to the heart and were also able to exercise for longer periods of time without suffering from chest pain. However, more studies are needed to say for sure whether hawthorn is effective.
While 100/48 mmHg is on the low side, it’s not necessarily dangerous if you have no symptoms like dizziness or fainting. A single episode of AF with low BP doesn’t necessarily mean you are deteriorating.
However, the fact that you feel tired much of the time suggests your AF and medications may be affecting your overall health. Amiodarone and Lisinopril can contribute to fatigue and low blood pressure, so it’s worth discussing with your doctor whether medication adjustments could help.
I’d say you should monitor patterns over time rather than bring unduly concerned about a single reading.
Thank You.
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