I developed AF a year ago and my average resting pulse pressure is now about 30 mmHg (that is the difference between my resting systolic BP and diastolic BP is about 30 mmHg).
I understand that pulse pressure usually increases with age. For several years before I got AF my average resting pulse pressure was about 40 mmHg.
Could this reduction in pulse pressure explain why I now get breathless and am getting episodes of vertigo?
Please what are your actual readings as opposed to the difference? 110/80 unlikely to cause dizziness but 80/50 might well do.
Thank you for your reply and I wholeheartedly (!) agree with you.
Unfortunately, things aren’t that simple because home BP monitoring is not an exact science, especially in AF. I have several measurements of BP a week for the last few years. For example, my resting BP (ie when lying down first thing in the morning) varied from 80/54 to 115/82 between Apr and Jun 2018. My BP is not as low now I have stopped the high blood pressure medication.
BP gives a general idea of what is going on, but breathlessness and dizziness ultimately depend on the cardiac output (ie stroke volume x pulse) and of course the amount of oxygen in the blood.
By the way I am not a cardiologist, but merely a scientist trying to get to the root of my problems.
Can’t help I’m afraid but if you are on AF medication that will bring your heart rate down. Being a scientist you’ll understand more than I. Just wanted you to know I read your post & tried to help.
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