I visited the doctor yesterday to check my low blood pressure. He said there is no disease called “low blood pressure” in America. In Germany, there is. He had a good laugh about that.

Standing from a seated or laying position sends the room a-spinning. He called it postural hypotension.

He prescribed something but I don’t know what because the pharmacy didn’t have it and had to order it.

Anyone deal with low blood pressure, especially when standing?

Most likely this could be improved by regular exercise. If your heart output was higher on a daily basis, the blood flow to your brain would be sufficient regardless of body position.

quote:

Originally posted by c1steve:
Most likely this could be improved by regular exercise. If your heart output was higher on a daily basis, the blood flow to your brain would be sufficient regardless of body position.

I've had blood pressure on the lower end of the scale all my life and have felt those symptoms myself at times.

I was very fit as a kid and up through middle age. Somewhat less now in my later 60's but I walk at least 5 miles a day and I'm very active.

This seems to be a genetic trait that runs in one side of my family. My doctors have told me I should be happy it's not the other blood pressure issue that most suffer from.

My wife has below-average blood pressure. She doesn't take anything for it.

quote:

postural hypotension

Cleveland Clinic has a good read on it...

Link

Similar situation. In early seventies now. Doctors are review it twice a year at physicals but no meds.

My BP has always been on the low side, such that when I went to EMT school in the service they put me in MAST pants during a scenarios after taking my BP.

After my stroke I was prescribed veramapil (BP) for the side effects of possibly preventing further tears in my arteries…(I had a partial tear during a PT test where I was completing a run… the doc didn’t see it and won’t sign off on it as my stroke effects occurred days later)

Now I get lightheaded when I stand quickly or bend over, where it never bothered me before. So I don’t do that..I get up slowly and am careful when moving from one position to another

If you want to fix it, hang out with me for a week or two. I guarantee you'll get your pressure way up there!

My wife has low blood pressure. Period
It’s sometimes called POTTs Syndrome. It is more dangerous than high blood pressure. She takes Midodrine 10 mg. and Salt Stick tabs to keep her pressure stable 90/70. It’s gotten as low 60/50. She’s been hospitalized many times. You need to see a cardiologist and do a tilt table test. Email me if you want more info.

quote:

Originally posted by Karpteach:
My wife has low blood pressure. Period
It’s sometimes called POTTs Syndrome. It is more dangerous than high blood pressure. She takes Midodrine 10 mg. and Salt Stick tabs to keep her pressure stable 90/70. It’s gotten as low 60/50. She’s been hospitalized many times. You need to see a cardiologist and do a tilt table test. Email me if you want more info.

Thanks. We’re starting with a simple blood test to see if that uncovers anything.

At this point go with what your physician suggests. Referral to cardio would be premature. Many med drop blood pressure and often it is a benign condition.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
At this point go with what your physician suggests. Referral to cardio would be premature. Many med drop blood pressure and often it is a benign condition.

I’m currently on no medication. His prescription still hasn’t come in at the pharmacy but I found out it’s a steroid that causes fluid retention and that sounds awful.

Ask him why he prescribed it. It does not mean that you will blow up like a balloon. That is one possible side effect. My best guess is: fludrocortisone.

Well, I’m not worrying yet but my PSA is a little elevated (4.79).

The other items out of kilter are high B12 (I supplement daily), slightly high platelets (411) and slightly low mean platelet volume (7.0), slightly low lymphocytes (23.5). I’m just a few weeks out of having COVID so maybe that is the cause. I’ve also started the steroid therapy which seems to be working as the BP is up to 105/72.

quote:

Well, I’m not worrying yet but my PSA is a little elevated (4.79).

^^^^^^^^^^
It is the trend of the PSA that is important. Digitial exam is of more importance. Glad the steroid is working.

Stay hydrated.

I have low blood pressure. Keeping hydrated helps.

My PSA was 3.1 back in June 2019. So it’s a bit higher but that’s no trend.

I’m sure the doc will call for more tests. Probably expensive ones.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
Stay hydrated.

I have low blood pressure. Keeping hydrated helps.

I do have a bit of a problem with remembering to hydrate. It’s morning coffee and then maybe something at dinner.

quote:

I’m sure the doc will call for more tests. Probably expensive ones

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Of course. You dont want anything less than the gold standard. LOL

From what I’ve read the platelets and lymphocytes could be caused by the steroids.