Low BP and fast heartbeat

[new_panda]

Hi everyone, I’m now on 40mg steroid and 2g MMF as I’m having a flare up. I find my bp always below 100 and heartbeat above 100-110 when I stand up and walk about in the house. Has anyone experienced this? Thank you. X

[overnighthearingloss]

A racing heartbeat should be checked by a medical professional. A&E may be best as it is the weekend.

[new_panda in reply to overnighthearingloss]

Thank you x

[Melba1]

Does your heart rate get lower when you lie down? That can be a sign that it’s more your autonomic nervous system than your heart itself (but still need to be checked out to confirm).

Lots of us have raised heart rate and lowered blood pressure on being upright. It’s officially called cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction but google PoTs and orthostatic intolerance as that’s the key parts.

It’s very annoying and can make you feel even more fatigued. My heart rate can go to 180 after seconds of standing and blood pressure drops then I was losing consciousness so I was sent to the national neurology centre for diagnosis as my heart itself was fine.

MMF made me it far worse for me.

Things to help are: drink loads of water (that really helps), don’t stand still (if have to queue etc keep moving your feet), lie down to get your heart rate back to normal, do calf exercises to get the blood moving before getting up, more salt (if that’s ok for your kidneys/ your dr says it’s ok).

I was told it’s not dangerous (except if you lose consciousness and hit your head!) but it’s very unpleasant.

Mine relapses/ remits with my other neuro symptoms and gets much worse on some medications. If it is this your body also adapts over time so I don’t even notice now when my heart rate goes to 140 whereas for the first few months I felt awful at this rate.

I’m not saying yours is this and any heart things need fully checking but if it gets better on lying down I was told that’s a fairly strong sign.

Hope you feel better soon x

[new_panda in reply to Melba1]

Hi Melba1, thank you. I’m like what you are saying. When I lie down or relax on a couch, my heart rate is around 70/80 but as soon as I stand up it goes to 90/100. I’m having a flare and currently on my second week MMF. I will get a heart echo in few weeks time. I have lupus nephritis class 3 so I’m not taking much salt. All these probably contribute to my low bp. I’m definitely not moving enough. Will see what the test says but thank you xx

[Bebe76]

This happens to me when I'm flaring. My blood pressure is 110/70 when I see my doctor. I haven't found an explanation for it but I thought it might be related to POTS or the heart having to work faster due to the low blood pressure.

[new_panda in reply to Bebe76]

Thank you x

[miccika1]

Im in this state most of the time. I checked with cardiologist and did heart echo, they didn't find anything abnormal. My doctor told me to eat more salt. It appears when bp is low the heart needs to work harder. After years of this i realized i need to move more, and that's the only thing that helped increase bp and lower heart rate. When u have a flare you probably move less and get this.

[new_panda in reply to miccika1]

I need to move more. Been off work for the past month and adjusting/coping with my still new SLE. Thank you.

[adlyn20]

Hi all, I am affected with SLE and I am on 8 mg zempred for past 13 years. I am married and does not have kid. They say that I cannot have kid at all. Is that true

[new_panda]

Hi adlyn20,

I read some information online, some says pregnancy may trigger a flare but a few friends of my relatives has SLE and still got pregnant and now with children. I think it’s best to discuss with your doctor and check if medication you are taking now has any adverse effect? I’m still adapting to my newly diagnosed SLE and with limited info, please check with the professionals xx