my story is a bit convoluted so I hope you will bear with me. I’m a 42 yr old man and my high BP was first picked up when I was 18. I was a fit and healthy teenager so at the time the doctor wasn’t concerned. I’m afraid I can’t remember what my BP was as I just didn’t really worry about it then.
as I’ve had doctors appointments over the years my BP readings have always been in the higher end. ( hovering into the stage 1 hypertension). Again each time doctors haven’t been overly concerned. I was otherwise fit and healthy. For most of my adult life 8 a have looked after myself - faced motorcycles, cycled competitively etc. I’ve never really given my BP a thought. When my son was born in 2015 I definitely started to lose my fitness and started to eat less well and over the past 7 years slowly put on weight. Thankfully my vanity took over and last year I lost it all again and got back to my usual body weight, losing about 2.5 stone.
Just before Christmas I started to get palpitations. I should also mention that I’ve always suffered from depression and anxiety. I did take escitalopram for my anxiety but managed to wean myself off last year. Anyway, I booked an appointment regarding my palpitations, my doctor immediately suggested it was just my anxiety and to start monitoring my BP.
The palpitations continued and I started to occasionally get some chest pain - mild and short lived, about a few seconds varying from some stabbing pain or a wave of aching. I then picked up with my blood pressure machine that I had a low heart rate. It varied from mid 40’s on a couple of occasions to mid to high 50’s and into the 60’s. My blood pressure was still high (typically 145-160 over 80-100). The combination of these things has frightened me and in fact I have been in floods of tears on a few occasions at the thought of not being able to see my little boy grow up.
Needless to say I have drastically altered my diet - completely ditched caffeine, dairy, alcohol and eat lots of fibre, berries, fruit and veg, nuts. I’ve stepped up my exercise and am doing everything I can to help myself. The problem is my anxiety and depression have become a big problem again. I’m convinced my life is going to be very short and that I have no future and will leave my family behind. I am terrified and depressed.
My doctor is not great and although she did refer me for a 24 hour ecg tape (which I did last week) her response seems to be that my bloods are fine, my BMI is fine and I’m only 42 so do a bit more exercise to get the BP down. I just feel abandoned and like I’m waiting to die.
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Hart2222
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aww no I’m so sorry to hear you are feeling down.I have bradycardia and high blood pressure although it’s in the “ok” range it’s took over 4 months to get that way.
Have you asked your GP to refer you to a cardiologist just to check your BP/bradycardia?
It sounds like you are doing all the right things well done on your weight loss! I could certainly do with some tips.
I’m sorry I’ve not given you much help as I’m new to all this myself but others will be along soon I’m sure xx
Age is not as important as doctors will make you think.Your heart rate is low , if this is common or a daily issue and you are getting symptoms like palpitations, lightheadedness, nausea , feelings of Anxiety with no obvious reason , Fatigue, muscle weakness and chest pain regularly your GP should not just assume that this is only happening because of your previous or current Anxiety diagnosis.
You can have both a heart rate issue and Anxiety. The heart rate and blood pressure ranges could be linked.
Your doctor will not have enough experience or access to as many tests as a Specialist will to make the decision as to whether this heart rate issue needs treating and what is causing it.
You can request to be referred to Cardiology by your GP and if your getting Bradycardia often you do need to see one.
Let us know how you get on and if you have any more questions do ask.
You aren't alone in this and it will be invaluable to you to feel more reassured , take care , Bee
I was diagnosed with Mitral valve regurgitation and a dilated left atrium last November - and I’m young and very fit and never eaten badly - and like you swing from total despair that I am going to die imminently and a more logical perspective. Messaging on this forum it appears it is a very normal reaction . So a few things which are helping me ;
1. Take control of as much that you can - your food, your exercise . Try and manage your anxiety with Yoga or in a group environment ( I say that because for me I need to be “ forced” to destress/relax )
2. Demand information and clarity - it’s your health and you are a customer not just a patient . Drs are there to help - write down questions and get answers
3. Talk to a friend or on here - crying is ok !
Challenge is that it is something we have to learn to manage and accept - to ensure we keep living . Keep going.
You seem to have done everything you can to alleviate your situation and yet your sad thoughts still persist so you might need medication to help with your anxiety. If it were me, I would definitely ask for a referral to a mental health professional who you can talk to about your thoughts and maybe would prescribe something to help you out.
Yes you are right. When I did take escitolopram ( anti anxiety tablets) I did notice that at that time my blood pressure wasn’t quite as high. I never really connected the dots so I can’t say for sure if any of my symptoms are connected to anxiety or not.
Last week my wife phoned 999 as I had 2 hours of repeating chest pain. The ambulance arrived and the ecg they did showed that my heart rate altered between 53 and 71. I was taken to AandE, had ecg, bloods. Everything came back normal other than the raised blood pressure and bradycardia and they discharged me after a couple of hours. They could offer no explanation of the chest pain or my palpitations.
I don't really suffer too much from anxiety, but I do have high blood pressure (similar ranges to yours) and none of the health professionals I have seen seem too worried about it (at least, no-one has offered me any treatment for it). I think I would be anxious too if I was into motorcycle racing and competitive cycling.
As regards your low heart rate - how fit are you? It is not unusual for people who are very fit to have low heart rates, and elite athletes can have heart rates as low as 40.
If your GP says your bloods are OK, then you probably don't have much to worry about, but you can always ask for a referral to a cardiologist who will have a whole battery of tests they can use to find out if anything is wrong.
Please try not to worry about your heart - if you have a problem, there are plenty of treatments available. All the best.
I'm just adding a comment to those already made. I see your anxiety about your health as a fairly normal reaction - but an over-reaction. Please read up on the NHS website what they say about anxiety, and then try to get an appointment with your GP to refer you for CBT. There will be a long waiting list, but one you know you are on the list that should take some of the anxiety away.
Another thought: you say you have a little boy. Do you have a partner in whom you can confide? Maybe just go for a walk with her and your little boy, go to the park, sit down side-by-side and just chat. Not pretending that everything is wonderful, but not burdening her with all your problems - just talk it through as adults.
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