Low blood pressure - struggling after heatwave

[LJM15]

Hello, I hope you all managed (well?) in the heatwave. I know it’s been tough. My heart has been really struggling - through the night last night I struggled to get a reading - but blood pressure has been falling all day. I get nowhere with my hospital (would have to be on deathbed to be listened to), and really really am too weak and exhausted too go in, so I guess I’m looking for a bit of reassurance that this reading is okay.

I’m crazy fatigued, been on the bed most of the day and my blood pressure has been falling all day. I’ve got a little chest pain, headache and feel weak, so putting it down to heart being tired from working overtime in the heat.

Thank you in advance for any words of wisdom. 🙏

[jeanjeannie50]

What I would do if I were in your shoes would be to up my water intake (very important, please do it now) and maybe add a little more salt to your diet to see if that brings your BP up a bit. Your diastolic BP is very low isn't it. A lot of people have been saying how their blood pressure has gone down in the heat that we've had. Are you managing to keep cool? I believe a pulse rate over 40 is considered ok.

Have you spoken to your GP about this? I would do that asap just to give yourself peace of mind.

Hope you soon feel better.

Jean

[LJM15 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean,

Thanks so much. I’ve had over two litres of water today and made sure I took in more salt, but it’s still just got lower. I’ve just had a bath so will monitor. I’m exhausted, flat has been over 40 degrees this weekend and I was struggling. Bring on the rain!

I’ll call my GP tomorrow if still bad. Problem is, I’m technically under a cardiologist, I just cannot speak to him and he’s very dismissive, so I imagine GP will say try and speak to him. It’s a nightmare really.

I had a CRM last week, so I might call tomorrow and chase results. I guess if that’s normal the low PB will be said to be nothing to worry about? Im so exhausted, maybe if I sleep tonight that will help.

Hope you’re okay in this heat? 🙏

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to LJM15]

Wow your flat over 40C, no wonder you are feeling drained! You poor thing. My GP has changed medication that cardiologist has put me on in the past. If I had your low BP and heart rate I'd be straight off to my GP. If obs are the same tomorrow definitely speak to your doctor.

Let us know how you are in the morning please.

Jean

[LJM15 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Yeah, it’s been awful. Still 30 right now. Got fans on so hoping it cools down enough to sleep!

I will definitely contact them tomorrow if it’s still like this. Last night I felt like I was passing out, but just had some more salt this evening and coconut water (as I read magnesium is good), so fingers crossed.

Thank you for your help. Will update in the morning.

[LJM15 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Morning Jean,

Hope you got a good night’s sleep in this weather!

I actually slept, for the first time in three nights. My heart was horrible last night - blood pressure gets lower and heart pain worse when laying down. But this morning my reading is 98/69 - pulse - 70.

So I’ll make sure I drink loads of water and leave the GP for now.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to LJM15]

Pleased to hear that all is looking good this morning.

I still think you need to talk to your GP about the heart pain though and how you were yesterday.

Jean

[LJM15 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks, Jean. I’ve made an appointment for today. I’ve been a ping pong ball between GPs and hospital this last few years and end up getting help from nowhere, but I’ll tell them what’s happening and see what they say. I’ll also chase results of CRM.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to LJM15]

Good to hear.

[LJM15 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean,

Just to let you know I went to a&e - albeit it two days later! All bloods were fine and bp was up again (despite it being very low last night and this morning).

My bp had dropped down to 77/47 at one point (not today) and I was trying to see if it would pass, which later today it did, but I’ve been told if it ever gets that low again, call an ambulance.

My thinking was I was too exhausted and sick to get to a&e or sit anywhere because I was so faint when it was so low, but lesson learned.

Hope you have a great weekend!

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to LJM15]

At least you know what to do now. When an ambulance arrives, they will always check your BP and heart rate and decide if you need to go to hospital.

Typical that your heart rate and pulse returned to normal when at A&E. Did you have to wait a long time before being seen?

[LJM15 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

The wait wasn’t too bad - four hours in and out. I never mind waiting, as long as I have the strength to sit up! 😄

To be honest, I waited until I had the strength to sit because on Wednesday I was just constantly on the verge of passing out and I worry I would be on the floor in hospital. But I do have to start calling for help when I need it. That is something I have to get better at. I have a real anxiety with hospitals after so much of it but yesterday was exemplary - they were quick and thorough and didn’t once make me feel stupid about going in (my doctor had insisted on it). The hospital doc was also emphatic that next time I call an ambulance.

And as you say, if the crew arrives and don’t need to take me in that’s great! I just hate feeling like I’ve wasted people’s time!

Hopefully, now the insanely hot weather is out the way it’ll not happen again.

Thanks so much for your encouragement and help, it’s the push I need! 😊

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to LJM15]

I once came over hot and sweaty and had to struggle to keep conscious. I can tell you, I did an immediate 999. I spent a few days in hospital afterwards. The paramedics were amazed because what my wrist pulse was saying was about a third of my actual heart rate. The cardiologist in A&E said he'd seen it before.

Don't hesitate to call next time.

Jean

[LJM15 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks. I think I need a doctor to give me a bit of a plan because I feel like I’m trying to doctor myself at the mo, but like you said, the doc also said it should have been a 999. Hopefully, will get CMR results back soon and then know how to go forward.

[Hidden]

Dear LJM15

Sorry to hear that you are feeling poorly in this warm weather, but then again no wonder with those readings.

I think that jeanjeannie50 has passed on some excellent advice.

Yesterday I went to see my Heart Nurse who promptly told me that I looked awful ! Quick BP reading and mine had dropped to your levels, but the odd thing was that I didn’t have the usual signs like dizziness etc.

Still a sit down and a large glass of water and the BP reading rose to just under normal. { for me }

There is a reason that the sun is not a friend to many of us now and I think that you are displaying the perfect symptoms why.

Take care.

[LJM15 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Blue1958

Sorry you’ve been feeling it, too. But glad it’s gone back up for you. I would love a heart nurse! When these things happen I’m just in limbo because I’m not really under anyone, so I just try and get through.

My chest pain is still there today so I’ll see what the GP says. It’s really helpful to have other hearties behind me. Then I don’t feel I’m making the wrong decision!

I drank about three litres of water yesterday (and oddly, haven’t been sweating - probably because I’ve had five fans in my face! 😄) but obviously wasn’t enough.

Will see what doc says - fingers crossed they’re nice.

[MissisF]

I think maybe even more water was probably needed? This heat has been unprecedented and you would have been losing fluids at an alarming rate. Good Luck. It seems to be a bit cooler today and hopefully your Doc will be sympathetic.

[LJM15 in reply to MissisF]

Thanks, MissesF

I had drunk loads, but will just have to drink even more. I think once the flat cools - it’s not been under 30 in over a week - my heart will have a break. The forecast keeps teasing me with rain!

[MissisF in reply to LJM15]

Currently raining in Yorkshire. I’ll send some 😊🥰

[LJM15 in reply to MissisF]

Thank you!! 😁

[Carercmb]

Pleased your speaking to your GP today.You don’t need to say much just take the reading you have shown us.It’s the effect of the heat but you need support from your medical team.

Hopefully a better day today,

[LJM15 in reply to Carercmb]

Thanks, Carecmb

I really don’t have a medical team. When I was having severe chest pain, jaw and neck pain a few months ago it took anyone from cardiology two months to get back to me - and that was with me and my GP chasing. It leaves me very isolated.

The irony though, I’ve just got this appointment with a GP and now my distolic is 81! 🤦‍♀️ My distolic has been a mess for a while.

[Carercmb in reply to LJM15]

By the time you get a reasonable reaction from your health centre you have cured yourself as I have found in most cases.🤣

[LJM15 in reply to Carercmb]

This is why I always wait a bit! 😄 half dead and heart rate at 25.

[richard_jw]

Are you on any beta blockers like bisoprolol. BBs reduce heart rate and therefore BP. Worth talking to doctor or cardiologist to see if they can reduce/stop the BBs given that your pulse/heart rate are so low. Also water, saly, maybe elastic stockings. There is medication to raise the BP. It's called midodrone. Most GPs don't like prescribing it though, even if they have heard of it

[LJM15 in reply to richard_jw]

Hi Richard,

No, I’m not on anything yet. Since recording over 20,000 PVCs a day, I’ve not even been able to speak to my cardiologist. It was suggested to try beata blockers that my doctor could put me on but my cardiologist does not seem interested and because I have so many a day I would rather ablation therapy (from what I’ve looked up). However, can’t seem to get a conversation to ask for this.

I’ve managed to raise my BP now. Nights are hard for some reason and chest pain comes back then.

[HeartaFlutter]

You need to get that blood pressure up, you should call an ambulance n get to the hospital, you might be really dehydrated really, get some Gatorade, get apple juice, drink alot of water it's y you're so weak n low blood pressure bc your not moving at least sit up.. please please drink water.

[LJM15 in reply to HeartaFlutter]

Thanks, HeartFlutter,

My blood pressure is up now. I spoke to a GP yesterday who did say to go straight to a&e but by that point my BP was up and a bit later the arm pain improved. I’m having a heart time at night, when I lie down my heart and arm hurt and my BP dropped again last night, but this morning I’m normalised again. Will keep an eye.

[HeartaFlutter in reply to LJM15]

You should not lie flat on your bed, prob up pillows and keep your head elevated n c how that helps. I'm a big prayer so I'm praying for you.

[LJM15 in reply to HeartaFlutter]

Aw, thanks. I have a wedge I use to sleep. I’m getting a bit fed up of everything to be honest. And not having a cardiologist I can speak to. Feel pretty meh today but will bounce back.

[HeartaFlutter in reply to LJM15]

It's really hard, to have a doctor that KNOWS YOU, Nlistens n cares. My primary is such an excellent caring, human being first, doctor second I'm recovering from this bypass n feel like I'm just wasting somebody's air. I'm just existing for I know not the reason. In Midsummers dream it says, " Oh what fools mere mortals makes", maybe we are.

[Callista]

This may not apply to you but my bp is consistently low, 83/41 this week. I mentioned it to my GP who was not concerned as he said my arrhythmia may mean that home blood pressure monitor gives an incorrect reading. This may be why it is never as low at the doctor’s or hospital as it is at home.

[LJM15 in reply to Callista]

Thanks for that. Mine got down to 79/49 and I was constantly on the verge of passing out, which is unusual for me. But I’ve upped my salt since (which I hate) and that does seem to have helped. Had a horrible heart day yesterday but will keep drinking plenty and see how I go.