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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Less Food Intake Cause Low BP Levels?

my blood pressure reading just now was unusual 87/69 . I am presently fighting a cold over the past three days and have not been eating much . Could that be the reason for such a low reading? In September the day before I was due to travel I incurred an inguinal hernia. It has not been hurting but sometimes has a slight bulge just above the groin area . Can this correct itself or is surgery a must?
Wed, 24 Feb 2016
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Thank you for your query
Would you please clarify a few things for me?

1)how old are you? Male or female?
2)are you on medications for hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol? 3)do you have any thyroid hormone imbalances?
4) did you take the blood pressure reading yourself, or at home?
5) do you have any other symptoms like dizziness, palpitations, vision disturbances, sweating, chest pain, tinnitus?
6) does the bulge in the groin area occur regularly? Does it reduce back into your body by itself?

Hypotension (low blood pressure) is a pressure reading below 90/60. This value in a usually normotensive (approx. 110/80) person will cause symptoms like those I mentioned in question 5.
Some people have a low normal value (90/60)would their normal value. They would have symptoms of hypotension if it fell below 80/50,for instance.
You could check your radial pulse (inside of your wrist, on the thumb side, 2finger breadth below the crease) if you can feel it well, you are OK. In hypotension, this will be hardly palpable. Your urine is also a good indicator. If colour and quantity is normal for the next 24 hrs (after the reading), you are ok

The procedure for measuring BP is important to get an accurate reading. If the cuff is too loose, it could show a false high reading. If it is too tight, it shows a false low reading.

If the procedure was done right, other parameters like pulse rate and volume, associated symptoms, medications, other coexisting diseases all play a role in determining the significance of the pressure reading. Reduced food intake due to a cold is unlikely to case hypotension (unless you haven't been having anything, including water)

Any suspicion or evidence of hernia needs to be examined by your doctor to determine the size of the defect in your abdominal wall, the structures that herniate, the possible complications, and the course of action.
Organs or structures that bulge out through the defect can get strangulated at the opening and it's blood supply cut off, resulting in a life threatening situation.
I recommend you see your physician right away. Take someone along with you and don't drive (if your BP is indeed low, it may cause impairment in judgement and decreased reflexes)
They will be able to monitor your pressure closely and refer you to a general surgeon for your hernia(if necessary). If they find you hypotension with a compromised circulation, expect to be admitted for a cardiac and general workup.
In the meantime, hydrate your self, small sips throughout the day go a long way.
If you any symptoms of hypotension, as mentioned above, visit the ER and take someone along.
Hope this helps
Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Wish you good health

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Does Less Food Intake Cause Low BP Levels?

Thank you for your query Would you please clarify a few things for me? 1)how old are you? Male or female? 2)are you on medications for hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol? 3)do you have any thyroid hormone imbalances? 4) did you take the blood pressure reading yourself, or at home? 5) do you have any other symptoms like dizziness, palpitations, vision disturbances, sweating, chest pain, tinnitus? 6) does the bulge in the groin area occur regularly? Does it reduce back into your body by itself? Hypotension (low blood pressure) is a pressure reading below 90/60. This value in a usually normotensive (approx. 110/80) person will cause symptoms like those I mentioned in question 5. Some people have a low normal value (90/60)would their normal value. They would have symptoms of hypotension if it fell below 80/50,for instance. You could check your radial pulse (inside of your wrist, on the thumb side, 2finger breadth below the crease) if you can feel it well, you are OK. In hypotension, this will be hardly palpable. Your urine is also a good indicator. If colour and quantity is normal for the next 24 hrs (after the reading), you are ok The procedure for measuring BP is important to get an accurate reading. If the cuff is too loose, it could show a false high reading. If it is too tight, it shows a false low reading. If the procedure was done right, other parameters like pulse rate and volume, associated symptoms, medications, other coexisting diseases all play a role in determining the significance of the pressure reading. Reduced food intake due to a cold is unlikely to case hypotension (unless you haven t been having anything, including water) Any suspicion or evidence of hernia needs to be examined by your doctor to determine the size of the defect in your abdominal wall, the structures that herniate, the possible complications, and the course of action. Organs or structures that bulge out through the defect can get strangulated at the opening and it s blood supply cut off, resulting in a life threatening situation. I recommend you see your physician right away. Take someone along with you and don t drive (if your BP is indeed low, it may cause impairment in judgement and decreased reflexes) They will be able to monitor your pressure closely and refer you to a general surgeon for your hernia(if necessary). If they find you hypotension with a compromised circulation, expect to be admitted for a cardiac and general workup. In the meantime, hydrate your self, small sips throughout the day go a long way. If you any symptoms of hypotension, as mentioned above, visit the ER and take someone along. Hope this helps Please let us know if you have any further questions. Wish you good health