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What Do My Blood Pressure Readings Indicate?
Question: I just took my blood pressure twice since I was feeling a little light headed. First one was 95/53 w/ 69 pulse and a few minutes later took it again and it was 100/50 w/ 75 pulse. I'm 67 yrs and it's only 9:41am here so I'm not sure why I'm feeling so lethargic. No diabetes and no confirmed cardiovascular issues. Have a history (from the time I was in my 20's) of having low blood pressure. When I was 40yrs old I was teaching aerobics and my resting heart rate was 48. I will be speaking with my Dr. about this since I have very low energy. I work full time and it is one of the worst type of jobs. It's in a call center.......sit for hours at a time. Any suggestions?
Brief Answer:
I recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern and would explain that your symptoms are related to low blood pressure.
You should know that there are different causes of low blood pressure (cardiac disorders, metabolic disorders, dehydration, chronic anemia, etc.), besides a constitutional physiological blood pressure which may be lower than the the normal ranges.
I recommend consulting with your GP for a careful physical examination, a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasoun (to examine your cardiac function),a chest X ray study, a head up tilt tests for possible orthostatic hypotension and some blood lab tests:
-complete blood count (possible anemia)
-PCR, sedimentation rate (inflammation)
-blood fasting glucose
-blood electrolytes (possible imbalance)
-kidney and liver function tests
-thyroid hormone levels (thyroid function)
-cortisol plasma levels (adrenal gland function), etc.
The prolonged sitting position, similar to standing up position can cause the blood to pool into your legs and cause a lower blood pressure or orthostatic hypotension.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above mentioned issues.
Meanwhile I recommend taking plenty of fluids (water and juices) and stay away form hot places, to avoid dehydration.
A lot of physical exercise (aerobics, walking,etc.) would be helpful in increasing your blood pressure.
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Best wishes!
Dr. Iliri
I recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern and would explain that your symptoms are related to low blood pressure.
You should know that there are different causes of low blood pressure (cardiac disorders, metabolic disorders, dehydration, chronic anemia, etc.), besides a constitutional physiological blood pressure which may be lower than the the normal ranges.
I recommend consulting with your GP for a careful physical examination, a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasoun (to examine your cardiac function),a chest X ray study, a head up tilt tests for possible orthostatic hypotension and some blood lab tests:
-complete blood count (possible anemia)
-PCR, sedimentation rate (inflammation)
-blood fasting glucose
-blood electrolytes (possible imbalance)
-kidney and liver function tests
-thyroid hormone levels (thyroid function)
-cortisol plasma levels (adrenal gland function), etc.
The prolonged sitting position, similar to standing up position can cause the blood to pool into your legs and cause a lower blood pressure or orthostatic hypotension.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above mentioned issues.
Meanwhile I recommend taking plenty of fluids (water and juices) and stay away form hot places, to avoid dehydration.
A lot of physical exercise (aerobics, walking,etc.) would be helpful in increasing your blood pressure.
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Best wishes!
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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