Experience with low blood pressure

[guppie01 0]

I know we have a few Dr.'s on site, but anyone who may have any info on low blood pressure. (I've done a lil reading on it, but want to hear first hand experience).

My Grandma is experiencing very low BP (especially her diastolic), which is leading to fainting, confusion, etc. Her Dr. is recommending she see a cardiologist.... Can / will the low BP put her into arrhythmia? Or would there be an underlying problem with the heart that leads to low BP???

Unfortunately she is up in Canada right now, and they are telling her they can't get her into a cardiologist for 3 months - we find this a bit shocking, and are trying to get her into a cardiologist back in the states.

Most likely I will have to make an urgent trip up to Canada to bring my Grandma back... We do not trust her flying or driving alone with the low BP.

I'm worried, but I also realize that until she sees a specialist we don't even know what's going on.

Appreciate any info you all have...

g

"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?"
Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU
OMG, is she okay?

[LisaH 0]

Has she had thyroid checked or been tested for diabetes?

Be yourself!
MooOOooOoo

[guppie01 0]

Quote

Has she had thyroid checked or been tested for diabetes?

She is probably the only one in our family that doesn't have thyroid probs, and yes she's been checked for diabetes as well.

edited to add: They are diagnosing her with Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension.


g

"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?"
Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU
OMG, is she okay?

[skymama 37]

My Grandmother had a pacemaker installed last year. She was doing ok, but had low blood pressure problems a few months ago and went into the hospital. After 5 days of tests, they decided she had a couple of blocked arteries but they weren't bad enough to do surgery on her (she's 94), so all they prescribed was a baby aspirin a day. After all that, I couldn't believe that was all she has to do! She's had 2 dizzy spells since then, but we also think she went too long without eating and might have had low blood sugar.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[virgin-burner 1]

i got low blood-pressure since i can think back, cardiologic-wise, i'm fine.. and low blood-pressure is nothing to worry about if you know how to read the signs.. dizzyiness when getting up, take a bit care in heat or when exercising and that stuff.. biggest danger probably is that you faint and hit your head or something.

at least, thats the problems i'm dealing with..

now, if she had high bloodpressure, that can become dangerous rather quickly..

“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.”
-Hunter S. Thompson
"No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try."
-Yoda

[kbordson 8]

Sorry to hear that your Grandmother is doing poorly -

I looked up some sites for your to review:

Mayo Clinic site on hypotension

NIH website on hypotension

WebMD on hypotension

Basically, most of these sites reassure you that as long as the blood pressure doesn't drop too low and your grandmother goes into shock, it can be a normal part of aging. BUT... that's not to say that you should be cavalier and wait out the 3months... especially if she's passing out because of the decreased flow to the brain. Have her checked out, make sure it isn't something that needs to be treated (I doubt that she's pregnant, and you've already mentioned about the thyroid and DM), but try not to make her too anxious about the changes. Have her change position slowly, not stand too long in one place, avoid dehydration and make sure that she (or you) know ALL the medications that she is taking so that when asked by the physician (American or Canadian), he/she will know if there are possible interactions.

[guppie01 0]

Thanks so much Karen!

Quote

BUT... that's not to say that you should be cavalier and wait out the 3months...

Of course now she is being stubborn and doesn't want anyone to go out of their way... so she's decided to wait. I'll talk to my Mom more about it after work...

Amazing as this sounds... she is 85 years old and doesn't take ANY medications - this woman has always been the epitome of good health!

Thanks again!
g

"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?"
Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU
OMG, is she okay?

[mutumbo 0]

OK, im not a doctor by any means, so take this with a grain of salt.

if i were you id get her to a cardiologist as soon as possible, orthostatic hypotension is USUALLY occurs when the heart cannot overcome the peripheral vascular resistance combined with gravity pulling blood away from your head and toward your feet, which is why ill bet she feels alot better if she sits or lays down. if shes feeling dizzy or passing out then that is a sign that her blood pressure is falling close to dangerously low.long story short, she needs to be evaluated by a cardiologist. as soon as you can get her to one. good luck.

Thanatos340(on landing rounds)--
Landing procedure: Hand all the way up, Feet and Knees Together and PLF soon as you get bitch slapped by a planet.

[squirrelgirl 0]

As a fellow sufferer of neurocardiogenic syncope, I can relate. Ultimately, a cardiologist tried me on combinations of medications to support blood pressure (Florinef is my current staple) until we found something that works. Also, salt! Your grandmother may have other health conditions that prevent the use of extra salt, but salt helps to retain water and really helps with the fainting. Especially in the heat!

You are right to feel concerned about her driving. Until I was "stable" I shouldn't have been operating a car for any reason.

[turtlespeed 221]

Nope - I don't have blood pressure because I have no heart.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[virgin-burner 1]

who would of thought!?

“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.”
-Hunter S. Thompson
"No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try."
-Yoda