Angina

[Etblue]

Recently diagnosed with low blood pressure helped to stabilise with medication. However if I need to use my GTN spray it lowers BP too much resulting in sweats and fainting. Further complicated with chronic back pain which I need to determine us this back pain or angina coming g on. ...makes me slightly anxious. I have an app with Cardiologist next month and would be grateful to hear others ' experience re what questions to ask..regards

[honeybubs]

Hi Etblue,

I have low BP and my symptoms got worse after taking heart tablets, eating, hot baths and painkillers. Whilst out walking or other triggers of low blood pressure I get what’s called ‘coat hanger syndrome’ where I get a horrible constant dull ache from the bottom of the back of my head and neck area which goes across my shoulders. You can Google this to find out more. I try to adapt by taking the dog a walk early morning before tablets and eating then when I do have tablets and breakfast I stay in the house and watch what I do but if the pain comes I sit down and do nothing for a while and it goes. One occasion before I knew the triggers I had tablets, breakfast and then a medium hot bath and when I was drying myself I started feeling sweaty, sick, dizzy and pain in my head neck and back that was unbearable! I passed out and was sick when I came round luckily I shouted my husband before I passed out. An ambulance was called and I ended up in A&E. So get to know the signs and adapt what you do to stop an attack of low bp getting worse and ask your cardiologist about it next time. Good luck and hope you get it sorted soon. Joy x

[Etblue in reply to honeybubs]

Thank-you for your very helpful post. I too ended on A&E after passing out whilst outside...a lady noticed that I was choking on my vomit & helped with passersbys....my husband was in the shop buying groceries. I had another episode recently whilst on a train, but relaxed and took deep breaths and never fainted. Heat coupled with walking fast & periods of standing seem to precede these attacks. However, I wasn't aware about painkillers...I have thoracic compression fractures and need, unfortunately and reluctantly, painkillers. I will also raise this issue with the Cardiologist. Again, I express my thanks to you. Regards

[PadThaiNoodles in reply to Etblue]

When your body temp rises (such as in a hot bath or when it's warm outside) the capillaries in your skin expand to dump some of the excess heat out through your skin. This lowers your blood pressure.

When I was a teenager I worked as a lifeguard at a hot springs pool. Most of our job was first-aid after people passed out getting out of the hot pool....

[Etblue in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

Thank-you for your reply. Regardsx

[fishonabike]

in my experience it is best to ask the questions you need answers to - sorry if that sounds obvious but other people will have different concerns, so the questions they suggest may not address your concerns

it may help if you give some thought to what issues you are having, how they affect you and what you feel you need to know to help you deal with them - then think about which is most important to you and list them in that order - practise asking the questions, out loud (maybe in front of a mirror), this helps to build your confidence

I know some doctors feel irritated by a list of questions but this is your appointment and you are an important member of your health care team, so have a list with you if you need it - I also tick off the questions or issues as they are covered during the appointment and, if necessary make notes as soon afterwards as i can, while my memory is fresh - even better is to have someone with you then you can discuss what you each understood about what was said - two sets of ears often take in different info!

good luck

[Etblue in reply to fishonabike]

Thank-you very much for your wise reply. Definitely, will take on board. Take care